ECF Announces Move to The Interchurch Center
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
New York - November 16, 2015 – The Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF) announced at its meeting of the Board of Directors last week that it will be moving its offices to The Interchurch Center at 475 Riverside Drive in New York City by January 2016. ECF is currently located at the Episcopal Church Center at 815 Second Avenue where it has been headquartered for over a half century. “ECF believes in transformation, renewal, and positive change,” stated Donald V. Romanik, President of the Episcopal Church Foundation. “I am confident that this move to The Interchurch Center will provide new opportunities for ECF to develop innovative and mission-based ways to support and engage our wider Episcopal family and also promote greater ecumenical partnering and networking.”
Through passage of the 2016-2018 triennial budget, the General Convention of The Episcopal Church mandated that additional office space at the Episcopal Church Center be made available for rent. ECF’s move comes at this time because The Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (DFMS), the corporate identity of The Episcopal Church, would begin charging ECF and other affiliated agencies market rate rent as of 2016, resulting in considerable increases in operating costs to the organization.
Romanik expressed gratitude to DFMS for the many years of hospitality and fellowship, and looks forward to continuing to work closely with the Episcopal Church Center on a range of initiatives. He further conveyed ECF’s strong support for the new Presiding Bishop, the Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, and his vision of evangelism and reconciliation for The Episcopal Church. Affirming the decision to move, Richard L. Clements, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of ECF, indicated that, “a new space provides the opportunity to refocus our priorities and recommit to our mission as we continue to support and empower lay and clergy leaders in their efforts to create vital communities of faith.”
The Interchurch Center is a unique location that currently houses over 70 non-profit organizations working in community development, education, religion, and philanthropy. Located in Morningside Heights, its neighbors include, among others, The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Columbia University, Union Theological Seminary and the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Board members of ECF toured the new office premises last week and joined Romanik in expressing confidence that the vibrant and dynamic community in this new location would result in significant partnerships, both ecumenical and otherwise, in the future.
Founded in 1949, the Episcopal Church Foundation is an independent, lay-led organization that helps Episcopal communities of faith engage in visioning and planning, develop leadership, and raise financial resources for ministry.
Contact
Miguel Escobar
Managing Program Director
mescobar@episcopalfoundation.org; Ph: 212-716-6283
www.episcopalfoundation.org