St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
How do you upend narratives of ‘ability’ and inclusion to reflect real relationships in a space?
Albuquerque, NM
St. Mark's Episcopal Church is “hospitable to all and blessed to be building something beautiful for God in [their] neighborhood." We partnered with them to conduct a feasibility study to determine support for a redesigned worship space focused on openness and accessibility, as well as an addition with an elevator to provide greater access to under-used space. We asked them to consider what exactly it means for this community to build something beautiful in their neighborhood, and how they might truly live into their mission of being hospitable to all.
In our feasibility study, we witnessed incredible levels of engagement and excitement, as well as overwhelming support for a campaign. Alongside the clergy and leadership team, a young member of the congregation, who is an artist, provided extraordinary insight about the potential for community and relationship that comes by creating spaces that are open to those of varying physical capabilities and needs. Using a motorized chair and computer-generated voice, this young man serves in worship and contributes to the life of the church in ways that have broadened the congregation’s ability to be in true relationship with one another that embraces and celebrates difference.
The capital campaign that followed urged the congregation to “Rejoice and Blossom!” The projects at first centered on how to renew their worship and music with a redesigned worship space. After achieving the goal for these worship-centered projects, they received news that the cost of the elevator in the proposed “West Addition” would be significantly less than first anticipated. This provided fresh inspiration to extend the campaign to raise funds for the remainder of the projects.
St. Mark’s is now embarking on a new leg of their journey to deepen their hospitality and welcome, inspire service and outreach, and create a space ready to adapt to future needs and opportunities.
