By Debbie Rundlett, Director
A number of you have asked for an update of what is going on. So here goes:
About The Meetinghouse – In 2023, the Ridgebury Meetinghouse, Inc. was established as a separate 501c3 to ensure the preservation of this historic property and create a community hub.
A lot has happened in the last year through the generous giving of friends, neighbors and the Ridgebury Congregational Church:
- The Martinsen Barn has been fully restored, and will be the future home of the Market at The Meetinghouse! In addition, the barn hosts an artist’s studio and lower level space, which we hope will become a youth innovation hub coming together around social and ecological challenges (if you have ideas for how to make this happen, please reach out!).
- The old church offices have been converted into a Wellness Center under the direction of Claire Walker Moffatt.
- The upper level of Shields Hall now serves as a space for leadership offsites, with amazing views of the wetlands and property.
- The Meetinghouse Gallery, under the direction of curator Keven Nelson, has exhibits of local community artists booked out through 2026.
- A labyrinth and wind phone now grace the property.
- The wetlands paths are being restored with the help of community groups and Ridgefield High School Students, and there are plans for a sensory garden to go in this spring.
2024 was an amazing year, as will be 2025!
We expect to see the final phases of construction for Shields Hall and the Kitchen in 2026, followed by the restoration and preservation of the historic Meetinghouse in 2027. To ensure the long-term preservation, gifts can always be made to The Meetinghouse. No gift is too small, and all are appreciated.
From Café to Market (café)
We remain ever thankful to Ron Herman and the Sunrise Cafe team for helping us to get started; he will be re-opening in town later this year. Come April, a Market with 200 square feet of retail will open, along with lots of cozy spaces to gather with friends & family or simply dwell in the company of others gathered to ponder, write and read. We will share the details next month, along with a number of ways that you can help us co-create a gathering space in which to be, belong and become.
Program
Honoring the amazing programs already offered by our extraordinary community partners, our programmatic focus will be on holistic wellbeing, regenerative practice, and wise leadership that is evidenced-based and in response to the challenges and opportunities we face. We are excited to launch these new initiatives Spring 2025, so be on the lookout!
Together we thrive,
