Building Our Future
In the fall of 2018, our church began a process to imagine the future of our building and grounds. A Building Our Future/Beyond Ourselves team was formed to guide this process, gathering information from congregants and from architects and other experts. Below are links to information compiled in this process. Join the conversation as we build a future to support our mission of being a welcoming, compassionate community that nurtures spirituality and practices justice.
Building Our Future – Beyond Ourselves Congregational Vision Statement
Our congregation imagines a future building and grounds that expresses our
values in its very structure, and its purpose being beyond ourselves. Through
surveys and forums, our church consistently shared their belief that our current
space creates many obstacles to fully living our values. The hopes they shared
were rooted in our mission statement:
To be a welcoming, compassionate community that nurtures spiritual
growth and practices justice.
Welcome and Compassion
A space committed to compassion and accessibility that is more natural
than an accommodation, including gender-neutral bathrooms and easy
way finding for a diversity of mobility and sensory needs. This includes
spaces that are connected, inviting, and inspirational.
Community and Spiritual Growth
A space that is intended for use beyond ourselves. This includes spaces that
are easily utilized by the wider community as a catalyst for conversation,
learning, service and the arts. This includes flexible space to nurture spiritual
growth through rites of passage, fellowship, and community service.
Practicing Justice
A space that is deeply connected with the natural world. This includes an
eco-justice focus with sustainable utilities and land stewardship, connection
to nature with windows and natural light, and outdoor green space for
learning, spiritual practice, communal gardening, social events, and play!
In short, our vision is to:
Welcome people with inclusive spaces and universal access.
Nurture spirituality and personal growth with beauty, art, and inspiration.
Practice justice with Eco-restorative design.
Expand our community with flexible and multi-purpose space.
Create joy and resilience with places for play.
Care for sacred space to honor ancestors and nature.
Grow by embodying the intersection of public witness and preserved wilderness.
While looking at the progression of these designs, the Building Our Future Teams used the Congregation Vision to guide them in the evolution of each design. As you look at these designs, ask yourself (as the BOF Team did), do these designs:
Welcome people with inclusive spaces and universal access.
Nurture spirituality and personal growth with beauty, art, and inspiration.
Practice justice with Eco-restorative design.
Expand our community with flexible and multi-purpose space.
Create joy and resilience with places for play.
Care for sacred space to honor ancestors and nature.
Grow by embodying the intersection of public witness and preserved wilderness.
Click HERE to view the designs.
Notice: All meeting notes are summarized using an AI tool. Names and information might be unclear or incorrect. Team meeting notes are kept on this page for the current calendar year. For any previous year’s notes or questions, please contact the office at office@uurochmn.org.
View the 2026 Meeting Notes HERE.
Building Timeline ~ All dates are tentative.
Early Fall 2026:
- September 13 – Ceremonial groundbreaking
- Land/site grading
- Construction begins
Fall 2027:
- Move-in and dedication
Core Team
Team members serve as an initial point of contact with project professionals, the congregation, and
church leaders.
Members: Ann Hutton (co-team leader), George Huston (co-team leader), Gail Bishop, Greg Turosak, John Helmers, Dave Pesch, Jean Murray
Gratitude Team
Team members are working to catalog historical items to be displayed at the Eliza Place and are planning events to commemorate our time at Walden Lane.
Members: Beth Atkinson, Kim Edson, Barb Foss, Gary Donovan, Paul Scanlon, The History Committee
Location Team
Team members work with the city and county for various Eliza Place issues and needs.
Members: Greg Turosak (team leader), Dave Pesch, John Helmers, George Houston, Ann Hutton, Gail Bishop
Architectural Design Team
Team members research best practices and make recommendations to the Core Team on design, AV/IT, and kitchen elements.
- Design Team: Anne Black-Sinak, Gail Eadie, Erika Fetterman, Drew Frana, Karmen Frana, Jennifer Dens Higano, George Huston, Ann Hutton, Marv Mitchell, Kim Reid, Joe Schwartz, Kathy Shepel
- A/V and IT Team: George Huston, Marv Mitchell, Jay Smith
- Kitchen Team: Cynthia Daube, Gail Eadie, George Huston, Ann Hutton, Roxanne Schlasner, Margo Stich
Energy and Sustainability Team
Team members develop and define an energy and sustainability plan to implement at Eliza Place
Members: Randy Stone (team leader), George Huston, John Helmers, Ray Phelps-Bowman, Alex Higano, Andy Schram, Tammy Watson-Schram, Barb Foss, Paul Trewartha-Weiner, Bill Thompson
Generosity Team
Team members commissioned a feasibility study and designed, organized, and continue to run a
successful capital campaign.
Members: Gail Bishop (team leader), Jamie Bingner-Care
2025-2026 Building Update Forums
August 16, 2026
View Video HERE
View PowerPoint HERE
View the latest renderings HERE
April 28, 2026
View Video HERE
View PowerPoint HERE
December 17, 2025
View Video HERE
View PowerPoint HERE
November 19, 2025
View Video HERE
View PowerPoint HERE
View SD2 Building Plans HERE
October 15, 2025
View Video HERE
View PowerPoint HERE
September 10, 2025
View Video HERE
View PowerPoint HERE
Members of your Building Our Future/Beyond Ourselves team: Gail Bishop, Greg Turosak, George Huston, Ann Hutton, John Helmers, Jean Murray, Dave Pesch, Rev. Luke Stevens-Royer
Our land at 2550 Eliza Place NE, Rochester, MN is south of Century High School (on the corner of East Circle Dr. and Viola Rd. NE)
