Stewardship of (Our) Land [Affordable Housing]
Stirling serves as caretaker of five houses around the church. The houses are resources for Stirling’s Mission, Peace and Justice Ministry initiative in affordable housing. A report to Church Council highlighted Waterloo Region’s affordable housing crisis. That awakened a call to do more with the resources available to us.
“Stewardship of (Our) Land” captures our process to gain insights into how we are called. We have discerned three key parts of our plan: Affordable Housing, Creation Care and Honouring the Original Inhabitants of the Land. The brackets around (Our) reflect Stirling’s role as stewards for the original inhabitants, our forebears and future generations.
Vision: We will use the land Stirling currently stewards to create inclusive, affordable, and environmentally sustainable housing that encourages community.
Values: In this work, we will embody a Bold Collaborative Spirit as we seek to Honour the Land and Its History. We will exercise Environmental Responsibility and be both ambitious and practical in our Financial Stewardship. A Christ-like Love will guide our choices.
Access the complete Mission, Vision and Values document here.
Current Discernment Activities
Exploring How Union Co-op Could Support Land Stewardship
On March 22, we welcomed Sean Campbell of Union Sustainable Development Co-operative for a rich conversation about how their support might help Stirling steward its land for affordable housing. The notes below capture the highlights of his presentation and the questions and reflections that followed. Themes of community ownership, long-term affordability, and creative partnership ran throughout. The questions raised — around financing, governance, tenant access, and Stirling's role — will help shape our next steps. (See Notes)
Expressing Support and Concerns. As a community of faith, we rely on each other to share joys and concerns. We have joy in the 89% of votes supporting (or neutral) about the Vision & Values. Some votes did not support the Vision & Values adopted. We would like to hear those concerns so we can respond as a community. Please, contact a pastor, Laura Enns or Steve Manske if you have a concern.
Can you assist? Do you have a few hours you could contribute? We have challenging topics to consider: financing, incorporating the environment, consultation with folks affected (e.g., indigenous, neighbours, potential tenant groups), planning, design, etc. Do you have expertise or passion in one or more of these areas? We can arrange time-limited involvement that fits your capacity. Please respond to Steve Manske.