An Evergreen Update
Dear Beloved,
Many of you have recently asked some great questions about our Evergreen campus: What’s going on there? When are we moving in? What will it become?
To this end, I want to offer a brief update on where we’ve been, where we are, and what’s next for Evergreen.
Where We’ve Been
Nearly a year ago, by the grace of God and with the support of the North Carolina Conference, The Local Church merged with Evergreen United Methodist Church. I am so grateful to God for the ways our congregation has been enriched by the gifts and presence of those who joined us from Evergreen, and we’ve worked hard to steward the building and property in preparation for our next chapter—repainting the interior, upgrading the lighting, repairing and replacing the plumbing, and more.
Over the last year, we’ve also developed some meaningful community partnerships in the space. We’ve continued to host The Compassionate Friends grief support group, provided storage for the Winter Weather Survival Drive, partnered with the Chatham County Pride Alliance to help The Local Garden flourish, hosted community dinners with Feed-Well Fridges, and offered coworking space for EMBRACe, a new nonprofit in Chatham County advancing reproductive justice and birth equity.
Each of these partnerships aligns with our vision that Evergreen doesn’t belong to us but is a place of renewal and retreat for our community. It’s in keeping with the verse that has guided The Local Church from the beginning:
But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare (Jeremiah 29:7).
Where We Are
This work will continue throughout the fall as we host a Creative Expression group on Thursday evenings, a home group for Reality Ministries on select Monday nights, and, of course, TLCYTH for students, which resumes on Wednesdays beginning September 23.
What’s Next
But this is only the near-term. As we look further out, I’m also excited to share that we’ve recently engaged with New Chapter Ventures, a placemaking incubator that comes alongside churches as they discern how best to transform and utilize their space and property in ways that are generative, sustainable, and aligned with God's mission. At the end of this process in April, we hope to have a real, actionable plan to share with you.
As we dream and discern, you can support this work by praying for the alignment team, asking good questions about what’s happening, and sharing your financial gifts to ensure that Evergreen remains a place where we can “seek the welfare of the city.” You are the ones who empower this work, friends.
And of course, if you have any feedback or questions in the meantime, I’m here for all of it
With you and for you,
Brent
