Faith Community

Now it’s time to “Raise the Roof”

After an affirmative vote during October’s Congregational
Meeting, the members of our faith community directed the Building Committee to work with the contractor and the architect to “descope” the current building project for the Fellowship Hall.

John Procsal, Building Committee chairperson, is leading those
discussions and exploring options to reduce the overall cost of the project. Once realistic options are identified, the Building Committee will present those options to the congregation for consideration and a vote.

It was also recognized in the October meeting that there is
currently a shortfall of funding for the project. We do not have to wait for the de-scoping work to finish before we begin to address our funding needs. In fact, we should not wait.

The greater the amount of funding available up front, the greater
clarity we’ll all have for what can be done now, what we need to stretch for, and what can be put off. Your Church Council voted to initiate a new capital campaign titled “Raising the Roof” campaign.

Currently, Barbara Fiorina, Elizabeth Fugate, and Phyllis Zona are on the committee and they are seeking one or two more people to help with the campaign. Please contact Gary Jaus if God is calling you to serve in this important way.

There will be more information coming out soon about the “Raising the Roof”Campaign. In the meantime, please
prayerfully consider if you can contribute to the Building Fund now, or what you can contribute in the future, as the Fellowship
Hall moves forward.

Editor’s Note: As discussed in the October Congregational Meeting, additional fundraising above and beyond current pledges must happen in order to satisfy lender requirements. The
guaranteed line of credit/loan is from the ELCA Mission Investment Fund for $1.37 Million.

Moving forward with a new Fellowship Hall

On Sunday, October 4th at 2:00 p.m. there will be a Congregational Meeting presented by the Building Committee to update you on status of the new Fellowship Hall building project.

The committee has worked diligently as a team and in conjunction with the architectural firm of Alcorn and Benton to create the plans that matched what the congregation said we wanted in our building. The time has arrived for you to provide
direction to the Building Committee on how to proceed from here.

The Building Committee will present for consideration options on how to move forward and what moving forward actually means. Hopefully, by the time you read this, you will have received either by mail or electronically more detailed
information about the specifics of the proposals we are asking you to consider.

I can tell you that unless the congregation votes to simply stop
this project, the project is going to require additional funding. The Building Committee recognized that reality and recommended that a third capital campaign be initiated. The
work on establishing that capital campaign committee, though in its infancy, has begun. If you have questions about the capital campaign committee, an interest in being on it, or ideas for it, please contact Gary Jaus.

Originally, the Fellowship Hall was the worship space. Once the current Sanctuary was built, the Fellowship Hall became the place where we did the Lord’s work. The Youth Room, meals for the community at-large, Easter breakfasts, Men’s Group
Meetings, Women’s Group meetings, Bell Choir rehearsals, Bible studies, receptions and other events have all been a part of the history of the Fellowship Hall.

The Building Committee has spent years working on this project and we’ve always understood that the building is important but what happens inside the building is more important. The Fellowship Hall was our shelter as we collectively served the Lord and with the Holy Spirit touched people’s hearts. It is our
hope we can continue to meet the needs of the community in a new shelter as we continue our servanthood to Christ.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
- Mathew 6:19-21 (NIV)

For any questions regarding the new Fellowship Hall building project, please contact Gary Jaus by phone or email: