The Big-Picture View
On Tuesday, I took a few moments to walk through the now-empty thrift shop. With sawdust in the air, Kara Broughton and Kimmy Dubose introduced me to the contractor, shared the vision of the space, and updated me on the progress so far. Together we paused to pray for the ministry and mission it serves. I’ve always loved walking through renovations and building projects.
When walls are stripped and floors laid bare, the story of a building comes into view. You learn where a wall once stood, where a bathroom used to be. In our simple shop, the layers speak volumes. It’s clear this place has been utilized in many ways over time. And now we’re changing it again—reimagining it to better serve our clients and support the many community ministries we hold dear.
That’s what excites me about architecture, interior design, and campus planning. It’s the big-picture view of who we are, what we value, how we want to function. Caring for facilities and grounds, isn’t just preserving history for history’s sake—its about shaping the future values and abilities of our parish.
Inside the thrift shop, there’s already real transformation underway. Walls, ceilings, and floors are being brightened. Carpenters are crafting new racks and cubbies along the perimeter. Creative minds from within the parish are redesigning the layout for better flow, modifying furniture to enhance the experience for our volunteers. When the shop reopens this fall, it will be the same beloved ministry—but refreshed and retooled for the next generation of customers and volunteers.
In that same spirit, your vestry continues to move forward with the Century Project. After listening carefully and gathering your hopes for Emmanuel, we are now asking: How can we improve accessibility and increase capacity to meet the needs of today—and prepare for the generations to come?
Just this week, we met with a city planner and engineer to better understand the limitations and possibilities of our property. In time, we’ll work with architects and designers to create a campus that prioritizes the ministries we value most, as well as the hospitality deserved for all people regardless of any ailments which would prevent them from finding a way into our parish.
This work is incredibly exciting and empowering, and we look forward to sharing that dream with you!
Morris+