Stewardship of (Our) Land /Affordable Housing

Stirling is fortunate to be the caretaker of five houses near the church. We have used them to provide affordable housing through the Stirling Missions Peace & Justice Ministry. After reporting to Church Council on Waterloo Region’s affordable housing crisis, we feel called to do more with these resources and want to thoroughly discern our next steps.

We call this process “stewardship of (our) land” to reflect the range of values guiding our decisions. While affordable housing remains central, the phrase “land stewardship” better captures our commitment to Creation care and to honouring the original inhabitants of this land. We keep the word “our” in parentheses to recognize that we act as stewards for the original inhabitants, for those who came before us, and for future generations.

Vision and Values (Adopted March 4, 2025)

We will use the land Stirling currently stewards to create inclusive, affordable, and environmentally sustainable housing that encourages community.

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

November 16’s Faith Formation session considered two  recommendations on who to house. We used a Decision Checklist to assess options. More than 50 congregants participated. Several others added their voices outside the session.

The Working Group heard strong support to:

* Remove “wrap-around supportive housing” from consideration.
* Explore two options for the three properties on the “Weber St side”.
1. Gift the properties to an indigenous housing organization like Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services. Consider this as part of our journey towards reconciliation.
2. Keep ownership, planning for a diverse mix of unit sizes and tenant groups. (If we chose this option, we would likely form an independent non-profit charity to manage risk. To do so would require a development manager.)

We will consider the financial implications of each option.

Due to time limitations in FF we were unable to do all we hoped. We invite you to use this form to:
* reflect on what ideas you learned (from the session, reading reports further conversation, prayer); 
* emotions you felt; and, 
* where the spirit is leading.

You can also email maske@uwaterloo.ca comments.

Read an update on progress and plans from the Working Group on Land Stewardship (drafted prior to Nov 16).

Past Discernment around Land Stewardship

Do you have questions about Stirling’s journey on stewardship of (our) land / affordable housing? Here are links to select discernment since 2022. 

  • An example net-zero design created by a university team. Footprint is the 3 properties on the “Weber St” side of the church. 

Working Groups

Stirling Church Council appointed a Steering Committee to direct the discernment process. Subsequent groups volunteered their expertise. We list folks who contributed.

  • Chair: Steve Manske: 519-573-0759; manske@uwaterloo.ca 

  • Brian Unrau, Russ Parnell, Brad Schlegel, Kim Penner, Josie Winterfeld

  • Pat Fisher, Paul Stevens, Dan Ulrich, Will Winterfeld

  • Sarah Whyte, Katie Yantzi, Scott Miller Cressman, Mary Lou Klassen

Selected Resources Beyond Stirling 

Organizations Addressing Affordable Housing 

Reports focused on Affordable Housing