Missional: Send and Engage
Innovative: Imagine / Implement / Reimagine
Partnership: Build Capacity
On Saturday, February 21st, St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, Episcopal Homes, and the Trustees of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota (ECMN), announced the establishment of a Missional Innovative Partnership (MIP) between the three entities. The plan is to build an Episcopal Campus through redeveloping the 1730 Clifton Place property in the Loring Park neighborhood of Minneapolis, which presently houses the offices of the Bishop and the Missioners.
The building will include 58 Episcopal Homes apartments for adults age 62+, office space for the Bishop, Missioners, and potentially other Episcopal affiliates, two levels of underground parking, and a neighborhood market. There is also hope of connecting St. Mark’s to the 1730 Clifton Place property, to further encapsulate an Episcopal Campus, while at the same time creating a Cathedral Close.
Many important conversations have been taking place amongst representatives from all three entities for quite some time, and it had become clear to the leadership from each that the Spirit was beginning to move the group from imagination to implementation. While implementation always seems to be the most challenging dynamic of any innovative process, the missional opportunities that will abound by creating this strong partnership are worth the inherent risks of a project of this magnitude.
Imagine the opportunity to provide excellent senior housing, worship formation, and fellowship for all ages. Imagine adequate parking not only for the residents of Episcopal Homes and St. Mark’s, but potentially for surrounding neighbors as well. Imagine all of this in the convenience of one central Episcopal Campus. This Missional Innovative Partnership has the potential to positively impact not only the Loring Park area, but all of ECMN. The great news is that individuals are so supportive of this vision, that significant funds have already been committed.
As this partnership begins to unfold, and as imaginations become realities, I ask for your prayers for, and support of, this Missional Innovative Partnership as we seek to engage in God’s mission.