Frequently Asked Questions
What is Together the Chapel? Together the Chapel is one of three parts of the Chapel’s Next 50 project. It’s a six-month, bottom-up process that tries to meet the many parts of the Chapel’s community
where they are. Together the Chapel seeks to:
-
Build community identity
-
Confirm consensus for the Chapel’s mission and vision
-
Plan programs to serve the Chapel community in the future.
-
Consider the physical needs for the existing 50-year old building and any new/expanded programs
-
Set near-term capital priorities
What is Next 50? Last year—2019—was a year of celebration. Thanks to our visionary founders—and a
lot of dedicated people along the way—the Chapel marked its first 50 years in August, and sealed a time capsule for our
grandchildren to open in 2069. Now it’s time to ask what
we can do to make sure the Chapel thrives and serves for
another 50 years. Next 50 takes a holistic look at the Chapel—the needs of our 50-year old building, our finances and our forward plan for programs and facilities. Next 50 is a volunteer leadership team that will report back to the Chapel’s board and community in 2020.
Who can join Together the Chapel?
If you care about the Aspen Chapel, then we invite you to be a part of Together the Chapel! The Chapel has many constituents and stakeholders, some who attend services and events regularly, and others who just drive by the Chapel on a regular basis. The building alone— a masterpiece of midcentury architecture—is an iconic beacon to everyone who comes to Aspen. All are invited to take the pebble poll and online survey and let us know their thoughts about the Chapel, its future and how we can best serve.
First Step: the Pebble Poll. Together the Chapel held a Pebble Poll at the Chapel in November and December 2019. The poll was an unscientific vote on how six core values—distilled from the Chapel’s 1968 vision statement—resonate with the community today. Over 1,050 pebbles were cast in the poll, with the following tallies for each of the six core values. There are no winners in a pebble poll and all the values reported strong resonance in the community. We take a deeper dive into the six values and how the Chapel can best live into them in the Together the Chapel online survey (see below).
-
Transformation: We support spiritual grown and transformation through practice and study. 154
-
Preservation: We preserve a sacred landmark of Aspen architecture. 141
-
Social Responsibility: We build a community defined by peace, love, respect and service. 191
-
Inclusion: We invite and support everyone seeking a spiritual path. 170
-
Creative expression: We explore spirituality through art, music literature and other creative pathways. 205
-
Mind Body Spirit: We offer a home for Aspen’s Mind Body Spirit Aspen ideal. 195
Second Step: The Together the Chapel community survey through Jan 18.
Together the Chapel invited everyone to join in an online survey through January 18. The survey asks how the Chapel can best serve our valley, living into our core values with programs and facilities. The survey was open to everyone in the community, whether you attend the Chapel regularly or just regularly drive by. Over 420 people took the survey.
In light of the Corona Virus we have suspended Parties with a Purpose and will resume this effort as soon as possible.
A series of Parties with a Purpose--small groups meeting in our homes to share a meal and a deeper conversation
And then, Public Meetings: May 2020. We will be reporting on what we’re hearing from you in the pebble polls, online surveys and dinner dialogs in a series of public meetings. A final Together the Chapel report is expected in June 2020.
How can I help? Write us a
togetherthechapel@aspenchapel.org if you’d like to help out. We need meeting facilitators and recorders, supper hosts & helpers, out to the Chapel community and make it run smoothly.
Where does this all lead? The entire process builds into a Case Statement—a big bold vision for the Chapel. It will contain ideas for future programs and facilities, and set priorities for when to tackle them. A development team will take the Case Statement back out to the community to gauge how what parts of the wish list we can take on now, versus at some future point. The hope is to start a capital campaign in early 2021 and go from there to implement the plan.
How much will it cost? Next 50 is led entirely by volunteers—all members of the Chapel community. Special gifts have been made to defray the Chapel’s costs of the Next 50 process, about $40,000 altogether. These funds are being used for consultant help with Together the Chapel, expert anlaysis of the building’s condition, and cost estimates on needed repairs and improvements. If the community prioritizes building upgrades or new construction, then cost figures will be need for those, too.
Contact us @: mailto:togetherthechapel@aspenchapel.org