Sacred Settlement Update: Survey Results

Thank you to everyone that sent in responses to the Sacred Settlement survey! Hearing from you helps us to understand what is most important to our congregation, and we’re excited to share the results with you.

Questions 1-7 all pertained to the homeless in our community. The survey results are presented in table format below the questions.

1. I believe that chronic homeless is a pressing issue in Washington County.
2. I support efforts to address chronic homelessness in our community.
3. I believe that Faith Lutheran can play a critical role in addressing chronic homelessness in our community.
4. I believe that local government and non-profit organizations, rather than faith communities, should play the primary role in addressing chronic
5. I am open to the possibility of building a Sacred Settlement at Faith Lutheran, and receptive to learning and discussing further as a congregation.
6. I support Faith helping our neighbors suffering from chronic homelessness in ways other than pursuing a Sacred Settlement (Manna pack ministry, Walking with a Purpose clothing/shoe drives, etc.)
7. I am open to the possibility of Faith Lutheran directly supporting another local faith community (whether through home sponsorship, volunteer befriender/advocacy ministry, or other means) in building a Sacred Settlement.

In Questions 8-18 we asked survey respondents to rate the importance of certain aspects related to a potential Sacred Settlement at Faith Lutheran. The survey results are presented in table format below the questions.

8. Resident selection process (including percentage of residents that are veterans)
9. Actively living out the gospel mission as a congregation, and providing a sustainable model for other faith communities to follow
10. Safety and security of residents within the Sacred Settlement
11. Safety and security of the community / neighbors outside the Sacred Settlement
12. Creating a community asset; helping to build a thriving community where residents, congregation members, and neighbors' lives are all enriched
13. Financial impact to the congregation
14. Fundraising from outside the congregation to support the upfront development (ex. partner churches, grants, donated time & materials, etc.)
15. Breaking down stereotypes of individuals who have experienced homelessness, and reinforcing the human dignity of all people
16. Sufficient ongoing volunteer support within the congregation to support the Sacred Settlement residents
17. Sufficient ongoing volunteer support outside the congregation to support the Sacred Settlement residents (ex. partner churches and community members not associated with Faith Lutheran)
18. Site plan design and aesthetics of the Sacred Settlement

Finally, we asked how you would like future information to be communicated regarding the Sacred Settlement. The survey results are presented in table format below the questions.

19. My preferred method of communication on future Sacred Settlement updates is:

Thank you again for taking the time to complete the survey. We’ll be meeting again as a Development Team to discuss the results. If you have any questions or comments on the Sacred Settlement, you can reach the development team at