St. Matthews Newsletter- March 2004
St Matthews Newsletter - February 2004On Tuesday, January 20, a representative of Sunrise Homes, a local contracting firm, presented to the Vestry and Building Expansion Committee, architectural drawings for the proposed expansion to our church property. Those present were encouraged to ask questions and to make suggestions for any desired changes. There was unanimous agreement that the drawings, as presented, reflect the best features for religious worship, parish administration, and social activities – increased space and facilities which we do not now enjoy. The new parish hall will provide an area of 2,676 square feet and will include two restrooms and a large area which might be called a food preparation center. Noted as "future kitchen" on the drawings, this space will accommodate one or more refrigerators, micro-waves, and storage cabinets for supplies and equipment, enabling us to prepare for the Sunday coffee hour as well as potluck dinners and other social events. The addition to the church proper will provide 1,680 square feet beyond the existing worship area. This will allow the choir and organ to be positioned in the chancel, thus giving more pew space at the rear of the nave. All of this is reflected in the drawing included in last month's Messenger. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? The answer to that question is up to each and every member of St. Matthew's Parish. Funds are needed NOW to move beyond the initial planning stage to the securing of bids on the next phase of the project. Our Rector and Vestry have wisely determined that no contract will be signed until there are funds in the bank to cover the work. This policy will apply from the start to the finish of the project. Without being specific, a few offers have been received from various companies and/or individuals to perform some types of work without charge, or at discounted prices. We do indeed have friends in the community! However, since St. Matthew's is not endowed, nor is the parish eligible for a line of credit, we must look to ourselves to provide the money needed to complete this expansion Our Building Expansion Fund Drive is NOW underway At the time of this printing, our Building Fund had a balance of $29,166 . Considering the balance of $5,183. on December ,2003, it would appear that some of our parishioners have already taken action to start the Fund Drive rolling. Thanks to parishioner Ed Dearnley, our progress can be readily seen on the handcrafted thermometer standing in the narthex. The red insert will tell us approximately where we are in our Plan for the Future of St. Matthew's. As contributions are received, the red thermometer will rise. It's up to us to keep that "mercury" moving upward! Please search your heart and determine how important it is to you that we have the physical facilities to meet our obligations to our Heavenly Father in doing His work right here in Riverview. All contributions, large and small, will be gratefully accepted at this time. Special pledge cards are available for you to indicate how you would like to contribute. Please remember, however, that until they are paid, amounts pledged cannot be counted as funds available for use. Our prayers and our determination to secure the future of our Church are of paramount importance if we are to succeed. With God's blessing and our faithfulness, we will achieve our goal! |
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