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Publication Descriptions
Download Sacred Places at Risk PDF

Publication Descriptions

Your Sacred Place Is A Community Asset: A Tool Kit to Attract New Resources and New Partners (2002) By Tuomi Joshua Forrest, Patricia LePera, and Sarah Peveler. A multi-format congregational resource for assessing and showcasing programs and properties as indispensable community assets; for publicizing and forecasting ³public value;² for identifying and engaging new partners to help with capital needs and programs; and for telling a new story to raise money for building repair and renovations. Attractive binder contains VHS video; Audio CD; CD-ROM; five printed books; three fold-out timelines; and User-only Website access. $95.00 for members of Partners, $125.00 for non-members.

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The Complete Guide to Capital Campaigns for Historic Churches and Synagogues Updated Edition (1998) By Peggy Powell Dean and Susanna A. Jones. A guide written specifically to aid congregations, offering step-by-step assistance for planning and executing a successful fund-raising campaign. Learn proven techniques to ask members for money and find support from outside the congregation. $40.00 members, $50.00 non-members

See the "Guide to Capital Campaigns" online.
See the "Tool Kit" pdf online.*
$40.00 for members of Partners, $50.00 for non-members

*The "Tool Kit" is a PDF file which can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this program on your computer, you can download this free software by clicking on the button below.

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Sacred Places at Risk (1998) By Diane Cohen and A. Robert Jaeger. A national study providing new evidence of how congregations with historic buildings use their properties for a wide array of community outreach programs. The study also documents the imperiled physical condition of the buildings -- and the consequent danger of losing the programs they house. Supplying numbers to support widely known anecdotal evidence, the study presents a strong argument for the sound stewardship of these sacred places. (paper) $10.00 members, $15.00 non-members; CD-ROM format $5.00

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Open the Doors, See All the People: A Guide to Serving Families in Sacred Places (2001) By Jackqueline T. Warren. An introductory guide offering practical advice to congregational leaders on planning, funding, and managing programs for children and families. Numerous case studies provide examples adaptable to congregations' own needs and circumstances, and a resource section lists other helpful publications and organizations. Free

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Why Should We Spend Money on Our Building When There Is So Much Need in the World? (2002) A 25-minute audio-CD of reflections on the question from five clergy persons' own faith traditions: Jewish, main-line and evangelical Protestant, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal. $5.00

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After Sunday (1998) A 25-minute video illustrating the roles of inner-city congregations in their neighborhoods and the challenges they and other congregations face in maintaining their aging properties. Created by awarding-winning director Glenn Holsten, the video puts a human face on the findings from Sacred Places at Risk through the stories of three Philadelphia-area congregations. $10.00 members, $15.00 non-members

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Stewardship Series No. 1: A Fund-Raising Tool: Creating a Supporting Organization (1996) By Partners for Sacred Places. Frequently asked questions and answers for congregations about soliciting and acquiring support from the community at large for capital campaigns to repair and restore religious properties. Explores how to create a supporting organization, expand a fund-raising base through a supporting organization, and identify its advantages and risks. Includes an overview of the legal process for creating the organization and profiles of three congregations' successes. Free members, $3.00 non-members

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Stewardship Series No. 2: A Collaborative Approach to Fund-Raising: The Rittenhouse Coalition for the Restoration of Sacred Places, Inc. (1999) By Partners for Sacred Places. A spotlight on three historic churches in downtown Philadelphia, First Baptist Church, First Unitarian Church, and St. Mark's Episcopal Church, and their successful partnership in fund-raising for restoration of their buildings. Reflections, advice and tips for other congregations and institutions with similar needs and hopes for collaborative work, and insights to creative fund-raising. Free members, $3.00 non-members

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Other Publications

PROPERTY CARE

Maintenance Manual: A Program for Inspection and Seasonal Maintenance of Religious Properties (1985) By the Architecture and Building Commission of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany. A manual for recording building inspections and seasonal maintenance, including checklists for safety and mechanical systems, glossary, and organizers for emergency numbers. $18.00 members, $22.00 non-members

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Managing Repair and Restoration Projects: A Congregation's How-to Guide (2002) By Shari P. Goldberg, published by The New York Landmarks Conservancy. A step-by-step guidebook to the basics of project planning, management, and supervision to help laypeople and clergy undertake preservation and maintenance work. $20.00 members, $25.00 non-members

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Inspecting and Maintaining Religious Properties (1991) By Wesley Haynes, Andrew Rudin, and J. Thomas Ryan, published by the New York Landmarks Conservancy. A technical workbook on caring for the building envelope, mechanical and structural systems, including moisture control, structural inspection, energy cost reduction, and ongoing maintenance. $18.00

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How to Care for Religious Properties (1982) By Michael F. Lynch, published by the Preservation League of New York State. A 40-page overview booklet on the maintenance of older religious properties, with sections on roofing, moisture control, masonry, wood, stained glass, decorative features, energy management, and cooperative use. $3.50

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Information Series No. 64: Systems in Houses of Worship (1992) By Inspired Partnerships, published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A guide for clergy, administrators, and maintenance staff that addresses heating, cooling, ventilation, electrical, and lightning protection systems. $6.00

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Information Series No. 76: Preservation of Historic Burial Grounds (1992) By Lynette Strangstad, published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A guide to the significance of historic burial grounds, identifying common threats and appropriate methods of conservation. The booklet covers project organization, planning and setting priorities, and continuing maintenance and protection. $6.00

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Information Series: Strategies for the Stewardship and Active Use of Older and Historic Religious Properties (1996) By Diane Cohen and A. Robert Jaeger, published by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. A 35-page booklet which provides an overview of the nation's religious landscape, followed by practical assistance on a wide range of topics including sharing space, building repairs, raising funds, and reuse. Booklet includes a list of organizations and published resources. $10.00

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ENERGY

Operations, Maintenance, Preservation, and Energy (1991) By the Interfaith Coalition on Energy (ICE). A compilation of pertinent articles from ICE Melter newsletter on helping congregations to reduce energy consumption and keep facilities running in optimal condition. $12.00 members, $16.00 non-members

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Reducing Energy Costs in Religious Buildings: A Workbook for Congregation Leaders (2001) By the Interfaith Coalition on Energy (ICE) A 39-page self-survey to guide a congregation through analysis of its building(s) to determine energy consumption patterns. $8.00 members, $10.00 non-members

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MAKING BUILDINGS ACCESSIBLE

Accessible Faith: A Technical Guide for Accessibility in Houses of Worship (2003) By Elizabeth A. Patterson and Neal A. Vogel, published by the Retirement Research Foundation.
The core of this 52-page guide deals with practical solutions to eliminating physical, auditory, and visual barriers, and to improving signage, in older houses of worship. The authors use a variety of case examples and support the text with many photographs, drawings, charts, and diagrams and also include information on who is affected by a "disability", as well as the basics of accessibility laws as they pertain to houses of worship. They conclude the guide with sections covering the design, funding, and construction processes. Free for members, $9.00 non-members

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Loving Justice: The ADA and the Religious Community (1995) By the National Organization on Disability. A guide to the Americans with Disabilities Act's effects on religious institutions and congregations. An explanation of the ADA requirements for some tenants of religious properties is included. $8.00 members, $10.00 non-members

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Money and Ideas: Creative Approaches to Congregational Access (2001) By the Alban Institute and the National Organization on Disability. A source of ideas for raising money for disability access. Congregations will be inspired to think creatively about their situations and to make affordable, incremental changes to enhance worship for members and visitors alike. $3.50

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That All May Worship: An Interfaith Welcome To People With Disabilities (1994) By the National Organization on Disability. A handbook to assist congregations and denominational groups in welcoming people with disabilities. Interfaith in scope, it offers suggestions for building modifications to accommodate people with all types of disabling conditions. $8.00 members, $10.00 non-members

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STAINED GLASS

Conservation and Restoration of Stained Glass: An Owner's Guide (1988) By the Census of Stained Glass Windows in America. A 40-page guide to the care and ongoing maintenance of stained glass, including planning, restoration, security, protective glazing, and a glossary. $6.00

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Conservation of Stained Glass in America: A Manual for Studios and Caretakers (1995) By Julie L. Sloan, published by Art In Architecture Press. A comprehensive, 225-page book detailing the theory, practice, materials and processes of stained glass restoration. An excellent reference for owners and caretakers of significant stained glass windows, especially those contemplating a major conservation project. $45.00

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ASSET-BASED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing a Community's Assets (1993) By John P. Kretzmann and John L. McKnight, published by the Asset-Based Community Development Institute. The guide to ³asset-based community development,² summarizing studies of successful community-building initiatives across the United States. It outlines in ³neighborhood-friendly² terms how local communities can start their own journeys on the path of asset-based development. $25.00

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Asset-Based Strategies for Faith Communities (2002) By Susan Rans and Hilary Altman, published by ABCD Institute. A collection of stories from Christian churches and organizations in the USA, highlighting particular faith-based initiatives aimed at revitalizing congregations and their surrounding communities, and describing activities designed to spur economic development. $12.00

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The Organization of Hope: A Workbook for Rural Asset-Based Community Development (2001) By Luther Snow, published by ABCD Institute. ³Of, by, and for² rural community leaders eager to identify and use their own resources, a sourcebook of community stories, starting points, strategies for converting assets and hope to partnerships and action, and practical examples of projects and activities for other rural communities. $12.00

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The Power of Asset Mapping: How Your Congregation Can Act on Its Gifts (2004) By Luther Snow, published by The Alban Institute.  A resource to help a group recognize its assets and the abundance of God’s gifts and to act on them in ministry and mission.  This guide contains a tested Quick and Simple Asset Mapping Experience, as well as tips, techniques, stories, and lessons drawn from the experience of diverse congregations.  This tool demonstrates how asset mapping works, and why asset mapping strengthens faith and community.  $18.00

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Download Sacred Places at Risk PDF

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*The "Sacred Places at Risk PDF" is a PDF file which can be viewed using Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have this program on your computer, you can download this free software by clicking on the button below.