Watch the video update here.

Dear St. Philippians,

I am glad to bring you an update on the gift of Jacqueline Harris’s property, now known as St. Philip’s in the Trees. At the April vestry meeting, a plan was approved to extend our community’s discernment about the future of this property through 2024.

We are deeply grateful to Jacqueline Harris for the generous gift of her 50-acre property and home, which she left to St. Philip’s intended to be used as a retreat center and a place for environmental awareness. We are also grateful to the Harris Property Discernment Committee and the vestry for thoughtful consideration of what’s possible for our community in this place. 

We understand now that it will take some time to consider this great gift and its benefits as a community. And we recognize that it’s essential for our whole community to have an opportunity to be part of the conversation. 

Because of restrictions during COVID-19, we’ve been unable to visit and experience St. Philip’s in the Trees fully. We are aware that our community is stretched and strained after a year of dealing with the pandemic. We see an opportunity for Jacqueline’s gift to be a source of renewal, replenishment, and a location for energizing our faith community and the larger community. St. Philip’s will benefit from a continuous process of discernment, allowing full community participation in the decision. And by extending our feasibility study of St. Philip’s in the Trees as a retreat center, we honor Jacqueline’s wishes. 

The Harris Property Discernment committee has put together a plan for extending discernment through 2024. What does this mean for St. Philip’s and the use of the property?

• St. Philip’s in the Trees will be funded by the Hildegard Ryals Environmental Endowment. This means we will not use operating funds for expenses and programs. For those of you who knew Hildegard or who know of the stipulations of her endowment gift to St. Philip’s, this is precisely what she set aside the fund for – an environmental initiative with the possibility of transforming individuals and community.
• The Harris Property Discernment Committee will continue to manage the property as volunteers through this discernment period.
• The committee is developing benchmarks to track and inform us about the use of the property, so we’ll know if it’s being used and enjoyed and how that fits with St. Philip’s mission.  
• There will be many opportunities for you to weigh in and share your thoughts. And you’re always welcome to get in touch with the committee or vestry to share ideas and concerns.
• The committee will be offering programs for you to participate in over the coming months. They also plan to seek involvement with partner organizations. 

Look for announcements in the Epistle about upcoming Open Houses and guided hikes at St. Philip’s in the Trees. 

Thank you,


Richard Ammons
Senior Warden