Enlighten Video

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This project was initiated several years ago through the eight goals of our Strategic Mission Plan. A recent building assessment project was also conducted and identified several areas of deferred maintenance that need to be addressed. The pandemic delayed this process by at least two years.

The congregation will benefit from this project in several ways including making our sanctuary even more inviting and versatile, improved hospitality functioning with updates to our narthex, bathrooms, and upstairs kitchen. Improvements to our HVAC system, lighting, sound, and technology enhancements will all be part of this project. Improved parking, concrete, and a prayer garden will be appreciated by worshippers and visitors from our community. These are just a few of the benefits we can expect to see.

Here are three thoughts behind the idea of replacing pews with chairs. Chairs provide greater versatility to customize seating configuration for specific worship services. This will also allow us to customize our sanctuary for potential events like concerts, recitals, or other community events. Another idea is comfort. For many, these chairs offer greater leg and back support. A third reason is that they are much more pragmatic for maintenance and care of the carpet and flooring. Please keep in mind that these chairs are specifically designed for the reverence expected in a worship space and in many cases, when lined up next to each other in a straight line, look like a pew! Please check out the two chair samples in our Narthex. 

The idea behind the portable communion rail is to offer greater versatility in our distribution of the sacrament. While many of us have preferences for receiving communion, there is no one right way relative to kneeling or standing. As such, moveable kneelers along a rail system will give us even greater flexibility in terms of communion distribution, contingent upon the style of worship or the efficiency of distribution relative to worship attendance (Christmas & Easter). The portable rail system will also create a feel of more openness between the chancel area and the assembly. 

The cost of this project is commensurate with the scope of work to be accomplished, which includes nearly all areas of our campus less the Morning Star Preschool Center and lower basement level. While this is largely a remodel, there are also significant deferred maintenance items which must be addressed, including new concrete for the entirety of our parking lot, HVAC systems, lighting, sound, and technology improvements as mentioned above.

We are currently pursuing lead gifts for this project. Our hope is to have nearly 75% of the projected cost raised through the generosity of several donors before introducing a capital campaign to the congregation. The Enlighten Committee will present a fundraising plan to our Congregation Council for consideration and approval in March. The congregation will ultimately have to approve this project and its final scope at an anticipated congregational meeting on April 30.

There may be a cost associated with not moving forward with this project, relative to all the deferred maintenance items identified in the building assessment report from architectural firm, BCDM. We are in the fortunate position to address many of these urgent items now. Delays will only increase costs. The opportunity cost associated with not moving forward with much of the facility update and remodel cannot be quantified in dollars. However, the completion of this project is expected to enhance our mission significantly into the future to help improve our efforts at outreach and hospitality by providing an exciting and intentional space for future outreach partnerships, support group meeting space, and priceless visibility in our community.

The next steps include completing our small group gatherings and presenting that valuable information gained from this process at a scheduled large group gathering and brunch on Sunday, March 12. This gathering will follow our “Drawn to the Word” worship service with artist and pastor, Paul Oman. Assuming the success of this large group gathering, our Enlighten Committee and Council will work together on final recommendations for the congregation to consider and vote on this project at a congregational meeting on Sunday, April 30th.