At their meeting on 14 June 2010 the LMC Trustees were united and enthusiastic in their commitment to developing and renewing the work of the London Mennonite Centre. Tough financial realities, including the erosion of reserves and the perilous current account situation, could not be avoided. But our determination was and is to be driven by vision not recession, and to ensure that the assets represented by our current buildings enable the LMC to move forwards rather than backwards, especially in difficult times. We took as our starting point the Vision Statement developed in conversation with a range of partners over the past year, as well as advice and input from the Anabaptist Network and movement in the UK. It was agreed to update the historic Trust Deed in line with the Vision Statement, and to ensure that commitment to Mennonite values, beliefs and congregational expressions remains a core part of the Trust’s membership alongside sympathetic allies from other Christian traditions.

The best way of moving forwards, we agreed, was to embody our activities and relationships in a new site which would be more accessible, adaptable and developable than what we have at the moment. We seek an approach to this project that honours the huge investment of love, creativity and faithfulness represented by our current building. Trustees therefore agreed to move promptly but carefully and collaboratively towards a relocation, based on the sale of both 14 and the two parts of 16 Shepherd’s Hill. We are taking professional advice, and will adopt a manageable timetable that allows realisation of capital to move the LMC out its current severe financial predicament and into a new situation of opportunity and growth – with a fresh site (London featured large in our deliberations, but the location remains open) and with the use of our resources to generate sufficient income to secure our ongoing work. Trustees committed themselves to work as closely as possible with Bridge Builders and Wood Green Mennonite Church in developing plans for a renewed LMC. Proposals were also discussed for transitional arrangements and staffing during the period of relocation, including the need for an experienced, local project coordinator. The person specification for an eventual new director, recruited in cooperation with Mennonite Mission Network in the USA, was also considered.

In all of this, we sought to be open to the range of feelings and wishes expressed during recent consultations, as well as the promptings of the Spirit and the desire to remain faithful disciples of Christ in a changing era. There have been subsequent conversations with staff, with WGMC, with Bridge Builders and with estate agents. The Trust is committed to continuing conversation and communication with all interested parties. This will involve regular updates and the sharing of further details and a timetable as soon as possible. We welcome your involvement, comment, support and prayers.