Our Table
Grows With You
Help us build the future Urban Abbey at 1516 Jones Street — a living sanctuary with a seat for everyone.
Dear Abbey Community,
Our tradition is rooted in hospitality, generosity, and connection. We’re a living sanctuary working to make earth as it is in heaven, one coffee and one communion at a time.
Jesus set the table—from wine at a wedding to feeding thousands with bread and fish. In his final moments, he broke bread and asked us to do the same. His followers reimagined the table as a place where abundance wasn’t about wealth or power, but sharing and welcome.
Today, more people are coming to the table, and it’s time to add a leaf and pull up more chairs. Despite challenges, protests, and a pandemic, we’ve continued to flourish. It’s a harvest from seeds planted in worship, justice, community, and countless cups of coffee.
Which brings me back to the table. At our table, everyone is welcome and everyone can be a guest. At our table, everyone is welcome to receive nourishment and are asked to share it with others. Please help set the table. Setting the table is sacred, though sometimes difficult work, because it shows God’s love in action.
This campaign is about making room for everyone to have a place. Giving is a spiritual practice focused on intention, not amount, where every gift is unique but united by purpose and love. I hope each gift is meaningful to the giver and offered in gratitude as a sign of God’s love flowing through us.
So please, join me in prayer and meditation. How will God’s love flow through me to set the table and throw the door of welcome open wide? We’ll be sharing tools to support this vital personal and collective discernment. I am ever grateful to share this journey with you.
Blessings from your Friendly Local Abbot,
As Jesus Set the Table, So Do We
Rev. Debra McKnight
Founding Pastor
Evidence of a Community That’s Ready to Grow
Our community has grown so much that we can’t fit in our beloved 2,300 square foot Abbey. We cannot make long-term decisions about expansion and maintenance. We’re guests in a building when we need to be stewards of our sanctuary. As our congregation grows, so does our calling—and it’s time for our space to reflect the love and belonging we offer.
32% growth in weekly attendance (2024)
Worship that draws people in.33% increase in giving (2022–2024)
Generosity is growing with us.302 gathered in worship last December
A community that shows up, even in the cold.Our growth is countercultural
We’re centering young voices, justice, and deep connection—and it’s resonating.
Help us grow the table of welcome.
Imagine ... Bold, Courageous Hospitality
A space for weddings, funerals, partner events,
and celebrations, offering a warming kitchen.
An always-open, light-filled coffee shop and bookstore
with two classrooms and cozy seating.
Safe, intentional spaces for children and families.
Full accessibility for strollers, mobility aids, and wheelchairs.
Imagine ... Space for Thriving Work
Improved security.
Upgraded sound and streaming capabilities.
A private space for pastoral care and spiritual direction.
Flexible workspace for staff.
Imagine … Capacity to Flourish
A Sunday evening service inviting neighbors to experience a community
that is spiritually expansive and theologically rooted.
A successful coffee shop (open during events) that empowers workforce development and even more financial support for community partners.
A place for social justice, partnerships, music, and staff power to make it happen.
Imagine all of this given by you.
Imagine…
A Living Sanctuary with a Seat for Everyone
Introducing the Future Abbey
at 1516 Jones Street
Fully ADA accessible and inclusive
Perfect footprint for a coffee shop & bookstore
In the heart of a vibrant, walkable community
Smart, budget-conscious renovation plan
Provides 8,640 sq ft for use
Building Belonging, Together
Our strategy has been shaped in partnership with community leaders and organizations—such as Field Day Development and Parlay—who bring deep expertise in community development, strategic planning, and design. These trusted collaborations ensure every step is thoughtful, sustainable, and mission-driven.
For more information about our approach and investment priorities, review our FAQs for any questions you may have.
| Campaign Investment Areas | Goal |
|---|---|
| Acquisition, Design, and Due Diligence | $1,500,000* |
| Construction, Remodel, and Technology | $3,000,000* |
*The Urban Abbey leadership team and partners are committed to providing updates as the estimates and construction costs are finalized.
Now’s the Time to Make Room.
We’re growing, and your gift helps us build a space where everyone belongs. Every contribution brings us closer to a sanctuary rooted in justice, love, and welcome.
This vision can’t happen without Table Setters like you.
Now’s your chance to make space for others.
