Building Beloved Community Committee Holds First Meeting

July 2023 Update

The Building Beloved Community Committee (BBCC) held its first meeting on Sunday, July 16. Alison Edwards and Bill Scanlan were elected to serve as co-chairs; Beth Jordan was elected to be secretary. Aside from the necessary organizing elements of a first meeting, the committee heard a great presentation from Rev. Dr, Sam Marullo, chair of the Baltimore Washington Conference Affordable Housing Committee. Rev. Marullo will be an essential resource for the BBCC.

Chartered by church vote on June 4, 2023 to serve as a Building Committee responsible for establishing a plan and development agreement for developing affordable housing on our campus, the BBCC will also seek to use the potentials of project development to create conversations at the congregational, neighborhood, County and State levels that address and respond to our historic participation in housing policies and practices which have negatively affected people of color and ethnic Minorities.

There is still more organizing to be done before and at our next meeting August 20, but Beth Jordan put us on the right path by sharing with committee members some of the key expectations and aspirations we heard from congregation members during the church & community “visioning” sessions earlier this year. Some of those comments included:

  • The church project can demonstrate the role of affordable housing in social and racial justice in our community, the way it can be a part of our vision for our church and our community.
  • Providing a housing option for families and for the workforce (such as teachers, firefighters, etc.) so they can live in the community where they work (Silver Spring). Several folks expressed interest in housing seniors as well.
  • Making sure we are not at financial risk and that the new housing actually provides SSUMC the funding necessary to continue and expand our mission here in Silver Spring; the housing development should be seen as a long-term asset and revenue stream for the church.

The BBCC will very soon begin the work of hearing from prospective partners and developers. We will make sure to keep the congregation posted on developments at every opportunity and to engage church members and the broader community as ideas start to solidify. Please feel free to contact us at: belovedcommunity@silverspringumcp.org.