Stewardship of (Our) Land /Affordable Housing

Stirling has the good fortune to be caretakers of five houses around the church. We have used these resources as one of our Missions, Peace and Justice Ministry initiatives for affordable housing. Following a report to Church Council on Waterloo Region’s affordable housing crisis, we are feeling called to do more with these resources and are looking to complete a thorough discernment of our calling. 

To reflect the broader set of decisions Stirling is making about our calling regarding the land on which it sits, we are now referring to the process as “stewardship of (our) land”. While Affordable Housing remains a key part, the new term better incorporates our desire to ensure Creation Care and Honouring the original inhabitants of the land are also reflected in our priorities. We bracket (Our) land since we play a stewardship role for the original inhabitants, our forebears and future generations.

Vision & Values to Guide Discernment on Stewardship of (Our) Land Adopted March 4, 2025

Abbreviated Version

Vision

We will use the land Stirling currently stewards to create inclusive, affordable, and environmentally sustainable housing that encourages community.

Values

In this work, we will embody a Bold Collaborative Spirit as we seek to Honour the Land and Its History. We will exercise Environmental Responsibility and be both ambitious and practical in our Financial Stewardship. A Christ-like Love will guide our choices.

To read the complete Mission, Vision and Values document click here.

Current Discernment Activities

Please contribute your ideas and hear from others on Stirling’s path toward consensus on use of the land we steward.

  • Expressing Support and Concerns. As a community of faith, we rely on each other to share joys and concerns. We have joy in the 89% of votes supporting (or neutral) about the Vision & Values. Some votes did not support the Vision & Values adopted. We would like to hear those concerns so we can respond as a community. Please, contact a pastor, Laura Enns or Steve Manske if you have a concern.

  • Can you assist? Do you have a few hours you could contribute? We have challenging topics to consider: financing, incorporating the environment, consultation with folks affected (e.g., indigenous, neighbours, potential tenant groups), planning, design, etc.  Do you have expertise or passion in one or more of these areas? We can arrange time-limited involvement that fits your capacity. Please respond to Steve Manske.

 

Past discernment around Affordable Housing and Opportunities for Stirling to Act

Do you have questions about Stirling’s journey on stewardship of (our) land / affordable housing? Here are links to select discernment since 2022. 

  • An example net-zero design created by a university team. Footprint is the 3 properties on the “Weber St” side of the church. 

Working Groups

Stirling Church Council appointed a Steering Committee to direct the discernment process. Subsequent groups volunteered their expertise. We list folks who contributed.

  • Chair: Steve Manske: 519-573-0759; manske@uwaterloo.ca 

  • Brian Unrau, Russ Parnell, Brad Schlegel, Kim Penner, Josie Winterfeld

  • Pat Fisher, Paul Stevens, Dan Ulrich, Will Winterfeld

  • Sarah Whyte, Katie Yantzi, Scott Miller Cressman, Mary Lou Klassen

Selected Resources Beyond Stirling 

Organizations Addressing Affordable Housing 

Reports focused on Affordable Housing