Master Planning Communiqué Saint John the Evangelist Parish        November 30, 2004

What’s Happening?

You may have read the letter from the Facilities Commission regarding the improvements to parish campus buildings and grounds over the summer.  These were much needed improvements resulting in the protection of our assets through responsible stewardship.  The Master Planning Committee is grateful for the thoughtful leadership provided by the Facilities Commission, in consultation with the Finance Council, the Pastoral Council and Fr. Bill.

Where are we in the planning process?

We are now entering the fourth step in the master planning process.

The Master Planning Committee and the Facilities Commission teamed up during the late summer and early fall to conduct a thorough inventory of all campus buildings and grounds.  Teams were formed with a mix of representatives from the Facilities Commission and all ministries to identify the physical condition and types of activities occurring in every room in each building and on the exterior grounds.  Team members then compared this information with the needs, wants and desires for each area of ministry. 

On October 20^th the Master Planning Committee met to review the collective work of all the teams.  Again, new teams of mixed membership were put together to review information collected for every room in each building and the grounds.  The teams clarified information on the condition of facilities, as well as needs, wants and desires.  A separate category has also been created for unmet needs – needs currently not able to be met with the existing configuration of our facilities. 

IN December, the Master Planning Committee will meet in Egan Hall and divide itself into two teams.  Each team will develop a draft master plan for 3, 5, 10 and 20 years.  Criteria that will be used to draft these plans include: the parish mission and goals; safety, health and legal requirements; cost and schedule; asset protection and value; and the combined ministries’ needs, wants and desires.  The teams will present their plans to each other and merge them into a single plan that can be refined and presented to the parish community.  The Master Planning Committee envisions numerous presentations to ensure that everyone has a chance to review the draft plan and provide comments and suggestions.  The Master Planning Committee will then review the suggestions and make appropriate adjustments to the plan.  Finally, a revised plan would be presented to the parish community to ensure that it has broad support.

The Master Planning Committee is made up of two representatives from each parish commission and council.  Each member is committed to actively participating in the planning process and to being inclusive.  Each member has also agreed to educate those they know in the parish community about the plan as it is developed and to listen to the ideas and concerns of others.  Please take time to engage in this dialog.  Active discussion/participation will help ensure that the master plan is one that can carry the parish forward for another 85 years.  We owe this to those who came before us and to those who will follow.

Ongoing Communications

Please be sure to check the Sunday bulletin inserts for updates on the parish campus master planning process.  Also, the St. John web site ( www.stjohnsea.org ) has all of the previous Communiqués, a list of the master planning committee, and related background for those who may be new to the parish or for those who want to become more involved in the process.