Dear Siblings in Christ,
Places ground us. Much like landmarks help us navigate the world, places often convey a sense of belonging and connectedness. For over 10 years the Deaconess Anne House (DAH) has served as a place of belong for young people who have gone on to enhance and transform the life of the communities they serve and ministry of the church. Much like Jesus’ first disciples were sent out, young people were sent into the city to serve others and to return to the house for prayer, refreshment, and renewal.
Over the years the DAH has been steeped with the hopes and dreams, prayers and aspirations of countless young people who have been formed and shaped community. This has been a place of deep grounding.
The DAH served as a container for the inner work of transformation that occurred in the lives of the young people who called it their spiritual home for a time. As with all ministry, it is the people who form the community of faith and not the place.
Earlier this year, following a flood on the third floor of the house, it was discovered that behind the walls. black mold had proliferated. The mold has been growing unseen and unknown and has now spread to all floors of the building. We have salvaged some of the items that were important to the DAH community, but most of the contents of the house have had to be destroyed in order to mitigate the spread of the mold.
After much prayerful consideration, and in consultation with Kuhn Construction, I have reached the determination that it is best to sell the DAH property. This was not an easy decision. I want to assure you that the legacy of Deaconess Anne will be honored as we continue the process of reimagining ministry with young people. I am very much committed to ensuring that we as a Diocese create a space for our young people to continue to be spiritually formed and fed from the deep well of our faith. As part of our commitment to the legacy of DAH, the proceeds from the sale of the house, once complete, will go towards ministry with young adults in the Diocese.
I invite you to join me in giving thanks that the DAH has served as a container for the many spiritual encounters and deepened faith of young people in the Diocese of Missouri and beyond. I also offer thanks to the many congregations, communities, and individuals who have served as benefactors throughout the years.
We now begin a new chapter in the life of the Diocese as we continue to hold space and place for young people to be formed and strengthened in their faith.
May God’s peace be ours today and always.
Yours in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson,
Eleventh Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
Photo: 2020 DAH interns pose on the front steps of the Deaconess Anne House in Old North St. Louis.