Mason UMC in Tacoma moves from discernment into design phase of redevelopment
- 7 hours ago
- 2 min read
For more than 125 years, Mason United Methodist Church has been woven into the life of Tacoma’s Proctor neighborhood. Like many congregations, Mason found itself asking what it meant for them to be the church in their community, and how they might steward resources for the flourishing of their neighbors.
In 2023, Mason joined the Faith Land Discernment Cohort to imagine new possibilities for the land and buildings they steward. Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of accompanying Mason as they’ve moved from discernment into design.
We invited Pat Roundy, a member of Mason’s redevelopment team, to reflect on the arc of this journey and the changes they’ve seen as they’ve shifted from top-down decision-making toward a more Spirit-led practice of listening together. Read what she had to share below:
"Mason UMC had been declining in size over the years, and we began to draw on our foundation funds to maintain an aging facility. We tried many things but didn’t really see a way forward. The arrival of an influential pastor in 2022 brought new hope, and we are indebted to her. She championed a bold move: the redevelopment of our land to include affordable housing, services for residents and community members, and a new worship space.
There was enthusiasm for this vision, and we kept the congregation apprised of our progress through monthly meeting updates. However, for the first couple of years of this process, the emphasis was on imparting information, rather than deepening the conversation.
While we had joined a cohort of faith communities in fall 2023-2024 to explore Faith Land Discernment, in partnership with Design for Peace, we did not engage in the discerning process with the congregation until later. In 2024 the congregation voted to move forward with the redevelopment plan. We felt inundated by choices and were definitely in a deciding mindset.
In summer 2025 our pastor retired, and we were at a crossroads. We were committed to our general vision, but the way felt clouded. We remembered our Faith Land Discernment experience and sensed that we longed to discern together and we needed accompaniment.
Since early fall 2025, a subcommittee of church members has been meeting regularly with Joey Ager with the discerning mindset as our central focus, and this shift has made all the difference. The benefits of this accompaniment are tangible.
Six weeks ago, we facilitated a meeting of congregation members who actively discussed and wrote down their dreams for the future of Mason UMC. Their written responses were collected, recorded, and handed back to the congregation for further conversation. Enthusiasm for this kind of connection is high. Our interim pastor led a workshop on re-surfacing our values, which was very well-received. Participation was high and gratitude was expressed.
At this moment, there is a sense of excitement to “recreate church” together in the midst of redevelopment. Our vision is crystallizing as we share and listen to each other. Yes, people have spoken up before, but the discerning mindset has offered a qualitative difference in inclusion and belonging. It’s a journey, and we pray that our shared commitment to Spirit-led, community-based work will continue to bear fruit."
In 2026, we’re accompanying Mason, and seven other congregations, through a Design phase. Learn more about Mason UMC’s redevelopment project here.
