Beloved,
When I first arrived to St. Mark’s, one of the first few emails I received was an inquiry from a school about renting space at St. Mark’s. Speaking with staff and wardens at the time, I learned that there had been many considerations and efforts over the years to potentially host a non-profit school or daycare at St. Mark’s but that there were separate sets of regulatory issues that were too much to overcome.
This Spring, we learned of expanding needs of our largest tenant, iSing, for more and different space. They have been in what was the former Nursery space in the Sanctuary building for the past few years. As we reviewed their needs, we felt like we may have finally had an answer about renting more of this space out. Reviewing this decision with the Wardens and Vestry, we and the iSing leadership wanted to start with a one year agreement to ensure it was a good fit for everyone. Next Spring, there will be an opportunity for everyone to review and possibly establish a longer term agreement typical for commercial leases. The medium-long term upside for St. Mark’s is a net of $25k+ per year in additional space use revenue to support our ministry.
St. Mark’s hasn’t used that space for a Nursery since before the pandemic. With iSing vacating the former Sanctuary Nursery, there is flexibility to reassess demand and opportunity for an active nursery again. Research also demonstrates the advantages of having a nursery in the same building where worship occurs for newcomer families and guests. We’ll be including this in our strategic planning initiatives this Fall as we continue in our Season of Transition. Please let me know if you have any questions, and we are excited by the opportunity for mutual benefit as we strengthen our relationship with iSing through this new agreement.
Pax,
Nick+
