Friday, July 23, the sale closed on our almost 10-year Southwest Conference Office building. We received our asking price of $850,000 with no contingencies from a local couple who owns temporary rentals in our Coronado neighborhood, and are wanting space for community gatherings and various meetings.
This aspect of community space has been something we have been offering through the years to various local groups, in addition to our own projects and churches. So, we feel good that this will continue in the neighborhood we’ve come to love. We are able to spend as much of the month of August cleaning out as we need.
Tuesday, July 27 is moving day for what we will be taking to our new offices at the United Methodist Center, 1550 E. Meadowbrook Ave. Phoenix, which is about 3 miles north on 16th St. (best exit off Hwy. 51 is Highland Ave., west to 16th St, then south one block).
The things we do not take with us will be free for the taking for our folks and churches. Genevieve will be sending an email to pastors and churches regarding major items and how to obtain them. All things must be picked up by those who want them (we can’t make deliveries).
We are very excited to begin our new era, again in an ecumenical partnership with another denomination. Our United Methodists brothers and sisters are excited to have us and explore more ways we might be able to partner together. They are also very generous in sharing their common meeting spaces and technology equipment with us as we need it, included in our rent. Another long-time ecumenical partner, The Arizona Faith Network, also leases space in the same building.
The 917 has served us very well in this last decade! It was used faithfully to enhance a mission to offer ministry space to new church starts and other churches and groups needing space, to offer space to the local neighborhood, to maintain an ecumenical partnership with the AZ Christian Churches-Disciples of Christ, all in addition to our own conference meetings, offices, and administration. We anticipate that our new space will allow for better stewardship of our resources, and increase our hybrid working flexibility: in-office and remotely, in this new era.