REPORT FROM THE HH PRESERVATION COMMITTEEOn Friday February 8, the first committee meeting searching into the preservation of the Heigham House (HH) was held. Those present were: Mary Ellen Bell, Karen Watts, Angela Breeher, Debbie Myles, and Madeline Nader. we did a lot of brainstorming and decided the first thing to do was to have the house evaluated. Several ideas for the house were presented. These ideas are being researched by members of the committee and will be discussed at our next meeting. The committee also discussed the parking problem again. Several suggestions will be looked into.
-- Respectfully submitted Mary Ellen Bell


LETTER FROM CARONDELET HISTORICAL SOCIETYThank you for writing to us about your property at 6522 Michigan Ave. We understand the cost to keeping and maintaining a building built in 1894. However, the Carondelet Historical Society feels strongly that buildings and homes over 100 years old and especially those with owners who have been prominent residents of Carondelet ( Doering / Poepping ) should be protected. As you know once a property has been torn down it can never be replaced.
We hope you will consider this as you make your decision.
Sincerely,
Dave Bouchein
President Carondelet Historical Society



LETTER FROM CARONDELET COMMUNITY BETTERMENT FEDERATIONI’m sorry to say I am not in favor of demolishing the house and I don’t think you would have much luck getting a permit to do so. There are historic restrictions since it sits within the Carondelet National Historic District.
 Have you considered listing it for sale?
 Fred Hessel Jr.
Executive Director
Carondelet Betterment Foundation
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 FROM THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACESUnder Federal Law, the listing of a property in the National Register places no restrictions on what a non-federal owner may do with their property up to and including destruction, unless the property is involved in a project that receives Federal assistance, usually funding or licensing/permitting.

Sometimes it feels like the spiritual high of Christmas is followed by a black hole called January and February. The lights, carols, and baby Jesus get put away until next year, and it’s just bleh.

There are seasons in every life when God seems absent. What do we do in those times? How do we reclaim hope and joy? In the next few weeks, I’ll be exploring some strategies. Here is one: cultivate laughter.

​Laughter may just be our first form of prayer. Babies laugh months before they speak. Their laughter is fundamentally a connection to their high power – their parent! Studies have shown that the biggest gut buster for babies is Peekaboo. Learn More

Peekaboo is fundamentally about relationships.
I’m here for you. No, I’m not. Yes, I am! 
Hoo hoo ha ha ha! Hillarious!

Maybe God plays Peekaboo with us. Are we, God’s children, looking for the surprise return of God’s sweet presence? Are we confidently waiting and ready?

Laughter is relational. Ever feel the burn of someone else not laughing with you? I remember being in a theater, watching a movie that Scott and I found hilarious. We hooted with laughter until we noticed that no one else was offering even a chuckle. Awkward!

Laugher requires vulnerability. Nobody looks respectable when their mouth is agape, their head is thrown back, and they're making weird sounds. Cool! We need not take ourselves seriously.

Friend, if you feel the bleh, trust that God is still present and will suddenly show up to surprise you with joy. As you wait, cultivate laughter. God is your loving creator and parent, this game of spiritual peekaboo will end well!

-- Pastor Rebecca

The house was constructed in 1892.  According to the City, the parcel is zoned F commercial.

Thanks to the research of Stacey Smith, we now know when our current parking lot was installed.
In a 1987 Parish Profile created for a Rector search, the members identified parking as a significant issue in sustaining our growing membership. The report named the reluctance of members to move forward on addressing that need as a growth area.  Aerial photos show the current lot was installed 2004 - 2005, seventeen years later.

Thanks be to God, we have two groups gathering facts, and considering every possibility so we can discern whether to renovate and rent or remove and replace in a timely manner. 

​Liability of a Vacant House 
On Sunday, January 29, some members drove into our parking lot and saw a disturbing sight: A cluster of people were sleeping underneath an emergency blanket. On the step below them was what appeared to be a semi-automatic rifle. When Pastor Rebecca was alerted, she went out and woke them up. They were all familiar guests at our meals. The gun was a toy. The adjacent picture shows items they left behind. Several bags were abandoned under the porch. Pastor Rebecca worked with Barry to remove it all and clean the property of both trash and human waste.

Volunteer to move our discernment forward
Vestry member, Maryellen Bell has volunteered to lead the discernment work on Renovating/Renting the building. If you would like to join her, please get in touch with her or email the church. [email protected].
Vestry member, Kathy Watts has volunteered to lead the discernment around Removing/Replacing the building with parking. If you would like to assist her, please get in touch with her or email the church.

At our Vestry retreat,  Feb. 18, 2023, we will create a timeline for the decision. Please continue to pray for the Holy Spirit’s leading! Let's love one another well through this process. To love one another is our highest call and most significant decision.