The Evergreen School announced to their families the upcoming relocation to Good Shepherd (see Constant Contact announcement email) in our old building to be ready for the grand opening in the school year 2026. They are as thrilled as we are to make this announcement at long last after months of planning! Here are some facts for you:
1. Evergreen is an exceptional non-profit Montessori school for ages 2-9 encompassing Toddler, Preschool and Elementary (through Grade 3); see their website: https://evergreenschool.com and the news updates for the new school.
2. Evergreen is celebrating their 60th year and has leased space in worship communities throughout this entire time including Hughes Methodist Church on Georgia Avenue for the last 10 years. Hughes is planning to redevelop their property and this uncertainty prompted the school to find another home.
3. The initial lease period with Good Shepherd is 20 years and the hope is to extend the lease for many years to come!
4. One of the biggest advantages is that we will not have to bear any of the cost to renovate the old building. Plans for this renovation will be undertaken soon and shared with you, the congregation.
5. While construction will impact the use of the old building for a period of time this year and in 2026, it will not impede our use of the sanctuary or offices or the parking lot so we and our sister congregations will be fully able to continue our worship services. We have already been using the narthex for many of our hospitality gatherings and will continue to do so.
6. Evergreen is also very comfortable and experienced with sharing space after its operating hours so once completed we will resume the use of the newly renovated space on weeknights and weekends.
7. We will be engaging with all our current partners (SDA, Manantial de Vida, Panda Camp, Wordplay, Boy Scouts and parking lot users) to manage the impact of the renovation.
8. Importantly our mission completely aligns with Evergreen’s in championing diversity, equality and inclusivity for our community and its children. Together we will be a community of love and learning.
Please bring any and all questions concerning the school to our Annual Meeting on February 23 and hope to see all of you there!!
"I open to the love and presence of God and the healing action and grace within." - Mary Mrozowski, “The Welcoming Prayer.” More information about the history and practice of this prayer is available at www.contemplativeoutreach.org