Cathedral Task Force Begins their Work

At our 2012 Diocesan Convention Bishop Knisely called for the creation of a “Cathedral Task Force” to lead Rhode Island Episcopalians through a collaborative process of listening and discerning a future for the Cathedral of St. John at 271 North Main Street.

Since then a group has been gathered including The Bishop and members of the Cathedral Chapter. The Rev. Robert Brooks has been appointed to chair the endeavor, and together the Task Force is ready to begin their work.

This is the beginning of what is likely to be a fairly long process, as you will see from the below timeline, and though Sunday worship services have been suspended at the Cathedral, worship continues during the week and a variety of uses of the building during this interim time are being explored.

The first step for the Cathedral Task Force will be a listening process, to hear the stories and concerns of those who have been members of the Cathedral, and then the wider Rhode Island community and diocese. Our neighbors, the Preservation Society, business community, schools, and the city all have an interest and investment in what happens to the Cathedral. Their voices will be invaluable as the Task Force moves through a season of listening and learning, into a season of exploration and visioning together, then into the much awaited implementation of an exciting new future for St. John’s.

Task Force Timeline

Telling the Story

Phase I – August 2013

Meetings with the former members of and those affiliated with the Cathedral to gather stories, lessons learned and their perspectives for the future

Phase II – Fall

Meetings around the diocese to hear from clergy and laity of the diocese

Phase III – Fall to Winter

Meetings with members of the community, business and civic leaders, schools, the Preservation Society, etc.

Exploring Options

Phase I – Winter 2013-14

One or two charrettes (a collaborative design session) to generate options

Phase II – Spring 2014

Gathering information and analyzing the most feasible options

Phase III

Develop and implement a decision-making process. The Cathedral Chapter is the legal entity; the diocesan convention and other diocesan leadership groups will be involved depending on the scope of the project.

Implementation

TBD depending on the chosen project