Remodel Project Announced

GREAT NEWS!!!!! For the last 11 months your church board has been praying, discussing, and working on a plan to assure that each age group and ministry at Grace has the resources needed to make Christlike disciples, particularly as it relates to ministry space. A few weeks ago the board unanimously approved the plan for a major remodel of our existing space. While an additional building was discussed, it was the consensus of the board that we did not want to jeopardize or hinder our ability to maintain and grow the ministries we are currently able to offer, which would happen with the kind of debt that would be incurred with a new building. On Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009 the plan put forth by your church board was unanimously approved by the TN District Advisory Board. While you will be hearing much more about this in the weeks to come leading up to the opportunity for the membership to confirm the direction being set by the church board (in a vote of the membership which will be Jan. 10, 2010), you will find the basics in what follows in this e-mail. (The floor plan is attached as an Adobe file and you can also see a larger picture in the foyer.)

Rationale: Currently we do not have adequate space for children or youth, nor do we have large enough adult Sunday School rooms. Our children’s worship is held in the gym using portable dividers which provide no soundproofing. The atmosphere is not conducive to worship and the kids are subjected to frequent interruptions. We believe that the spiritual formation of our children and youth is a much higher priority than having a space where we can play volleyball a few times a year and the occasional all-church meal, and that this commitment should be reflected in our architecture as well as our budget and programming. The teens do not have any space that is dedicated for their use, be that worship space, Sunday School, or social activities. The plan we are presenting would meet our needs in each of these areas without the undue financial strain that a new building would create. After 11 months of discussion, input from consultants, and prayer, the church board believes that the proposed plan represents the best stewardship of our existing space and financial resources.

This project will include: additional SS classes; children’s sanctuary; youth sanctuary; dedicated space for children, youth, and adults; café area; patio; remodeled kitchen; relocate nurseries and establish a more secure area for children; increase size of adult classrooms; update sanctuary with new lighting, platform flooring, and acoustic wall treatments.

What we forfeit: The gym, that is infrequently used as a gym; space large enough for all-church meals. How will we compensate? All church meals for special occasions such as Faith Promise will be held at a local hotel or banquet facility. Wednesday night meals will continue in the remodeled foyer.

Expense: The total project will cost around $320,000

HOW WE PLAN TO COVER INCREASED MORTGAGE:
Current building fund on hand: $37,454
With the new budget formula (denomination) that comes in effect in June 2010, $28-30,000 now going out annually in apportionments will stay here for local use.
While adjustments will need to be made to meet this addition to the mortgage payment, we could handle it with our current income.
Capital Campaign/gifts in kind (labor, equipment purchased in lieu of giving funds)

Grace is committed to maintaining financial integrity. While this proposal does involve a measure of faith and the expectation that we will continue to see increases in our annual income, it also represents a conservative approach to debt, remaining well below 2 years annual income for total indebtedness. We are committed to doing this project without compromising current ministries and believe that as we are faithful to carry out our financial affairs with due diligence, that God will honor the vision He has given us, and will provide what is needed.

PROPOSED TIMELINE: Now-Jan 10 – inform congregation, answer questions, secure financing
Jan. 3, 6:00 pm – informational time for whole church, map out strategy for SS and other ministries during construction
Jan. 10- a.m. – Opportunity for membership to affirm direction of the church board (vote of the membership)
Jan. 10 – p.m. – All Church Banquet
Week of Jan. 11 or Jan. 17 – begin construction