Hope United Methodist Church Invites You to Help Shape the Future: Join the Community Charrette
What could the future of Hope United Methodist Church—and its surrounding five acres—look like? More importantly, what could it look like with your voice included?
This fall, Hope UMC in Whitehouse is opening its doors to the entire Anthony Wayne community for a special multiday charrette, a collaborative planning event designed to gather ideas, identify needs, and build a shared vision for the future. Whether you have been part of the church for decades, attended a single event, or simply live nearby and care about the community, your perspective matters.
The charrette will be facilitated by the Michigan State University National Charrette Institute (NCI), a nationally recognized leader in participatory planning. Their approach centers on bringing people together to co-create solutions that are both imaginative and practical.
“Our mission is to create a process where everyone feels empowered to contribute,” said Holly Madill, NCI Director. “When people collaborate, they help identify community needs and develop meaningful solutions together.”
Hope UMC is seeking community input on several key priorities: how to better utilize the church’s interior space to support programs, gatherings, and outreach; how to plan for long-term maintenance so the building remains safe and welcoming; and how to envision the future of the five acres adjacent to the church—an open canvas with potential for outdoor gathering spaces, recreation, community gardens, or new partnerships.
The charrette is designed to be flexible and accessible. Participants may attend a single session or engage throughout the entire process. Activities will include brainstorming workshops, interactive design conversations, and open-house opportunities where individuals can drop in, explore emerging ideas, and offer feedback.
This event builds on earlier “Fear+Less Conversations” hosted by Hope UMC, which focused on deep listening, shared discernment, and seeking God’s guidance in times of change. Those conversations helped lay the spiritual and relational foundation for this next step—moving from listening to imagining, and from imagining to action.
Reverend Warren Clifton sees this as a meaningful opportunity for the church and community to dream together. “Hope Church has always been committed to serving our neighbors,” he said. “This charrette is an invitation to listen to one another, to share ideas openly, and to shape a future that reflects the hopes and needs of our entire community.”
Why participate? Because your voice can help shape how a significant community space grows and evolves. Because collaboration builds stronger relationships. Because shared vision leads to shared action. And because the Anthony Wayne area is strengthened when neighbors come together with purpose.
Whether you are passionate about youth programs, outdoor spaces, accessibility, community services, or simply want to see Whitehouse continue to flourish, your perspective is welcome.
Hope United Methodist Church invites you to join the conversation, share your ideas, and help build something meaningful—together.
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