Threshold Partnership

1. Since the City Council meeting last Wednesday, April 14, our development partner United property Resource Corporation (UPRC) has issued this statement. UPRC Media Statement April 14 - FINAL
2. New Vision’s statement that appears on our social media channels on Twitter and Facebook is: “New Vision United Church and The United Property Resource Corporation are working with Ward Councillor  Nann to continue community consultation on our campus at 85 Holton Ave. S. and come back to the City of Hamilton Planning Committee.”
3. Jen Hompoth and Miriam Spies had their view of the Holton Ave. S. campus housing redevelopment published in the Spec this past Saturday. You can read it here.
4. Dan Peace had the most pithy letter to the editor regarding Jen and Miriam’s piece published Tuesday in the Spec on Tuesday April 20. The Spec headline editor entitled it “Resurrection at St. Giles.” Good to see people having a sense of humour about this.
5. Our Regional Council Executive Secretary has written to Ward 3 Councillor Nann expressing Regional Council support for New Vision: HFRC Exec Sec New Vision Councillor Nann 2021 04 13.The Executive Secretary joins us as the United Church’s Horseshoe Falls Regional Council partner with us and UPRC in responding to Indwell Community Homes interest in offering us Indwell experience and expertise, or buying 85 Holton Ave. S. For more on Indwell’s interest in us and our Holton campus, read the Spec’s report on the April 14 Council meeting.
6. Here is a way I am thinking about our situation within our present circumstances. New Vision United Church is St. Giles. We have stopped naming the former St. Giles building as St. Giles as long ago as 2014. New Vision stopped naming the former Centenary building as Centenary at the same time. On Holton, New Vision United Church has a Gibson neighbourhood campus. We plan to continue the ministry we began in the neighbourhood and then on this site as early as 1906 for at least as long again. New Vision is a neighbour who plans to contribute to our Gibson and South Sherman Hub neighbourhood in enriching ways including the provision of purpose built mixed and affordable family housing long into the future. We have no intention or desire to sell the property that locates us in this community we have contributed so much to over so many generations.
7. I have talked to Councillor Nann since the City Council meeting last Wednesday. As a part of her consultation with the neighbourhood she would like to meet with New Vision folks including those who have written to their ward councillors  and City Council and those who have had their views published elsewhere. I will keep you posted.
8. Whatever the nature of our advocacy/justice work, a vital tool in our toolbelts is the ability to engage with our elected officials. All are welcome to a Zoom call May 6 at 12:10 pm (EDT) for a time of conversation with Ted McMeekin, former MPP and Mission & Stewardship Officer (Hamilton Conference, UCC). Through stories and concrete examples, Ted will help us start thinking about talking to politicians so they will listen. Register for this free Zoom event at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAqfu6oqzovHdU8MPvUaV5aaPA2zCmxkBzl

All for now ~ blessings ~

Rev. Ian