March 31, 2007

United We Build  Update

Since May of 2006 our United We Build  capital fund raising campaign has continued for 43 weeks.  We have completed just over one-fourth of the 156 week (3 year) campaign.

During this first quarter of UWB, more than $133,000.00 of Faith Promise  commitments have been received.  This represents receipts of nearly 40% of the 3-year Faith Promise commitments made.

In addition to these Faith Promise commitments, substantial donations have been received from a number of other sources including the "Little Church" Bank that sits at the back of the worship auditorium.

Let's celebrate God's provision!  For God to provide such an encouraging start to the plans to fund relocation of our church facilities . . ..  Doesn't that provision help fuel a vision for future ministry opportunities!

United We Build Update

 Project Design Progress

Building Project Design Team Leader Steve Bingham reports that much work is going on!  In addition to interesting meetings and detailed discussions with Master Planner David Smith, one of Steve’s first tasks was arranging for an engineer to conduct soil tests onsite.  The tests were needed to plan the specific type of septic system that the soil would dictate.

 Scope of the Master Plan

David Smith, husband of Church member Geneva, is donating his skill and services to provide a Master Plan for a new Church campus on the 16-acre site that the Lord has provided at FM 2447 and Highway 290. Mr. Smith emphasizes that he is not an architect—he does not design buildings.  His work includes proposals for the best use of land to accommodate the future growth of the ministry of FBCCH.  He is in dialogue with the Building Project Design Team to incorporate all necessary details into this Plan: everything from the ‘nuts-and-bolts’ topographical location of well, septic system and phased placement of buildings, to the aesthetics of green space, adequate parking and planting of trees.

 Introducing the Master Plan

Steve says that Mr. Smith will be ready to present the Master Plan to our Church very soon.  Church members will be notified of the date and time of this special presentation which will begin with an overview of the Master Plan followed by time for questions and comments.  Several follow-up Q & A sessions will be held before a meeting is announced for a vote of the Church Body concerning adoption of the Master Plan.

 Capital Fund Raising Update

PLEDGED (3-year commitments)

Monetary pledges                     335,842.00

Gifts-in-kind pledged                 113,000.00

Total Pledged                                      $448,842.00

 RECEIVED

            Pledges                                    126,203.00

            Little Church                                  1,072.00

            Memorials, honorariums                 3,150.00

            From Friends of the Church         22,784.00

Total Received (12/31/06)                      $153.209.00

Building Fund beginning balance              45,815.00

 Building Fund Balance (12/31/06)       $199,025.00

August 15, 2006 update

UWB Campaign Update

 The garage sale held at the church on June 25, 2006 was very successful.  Sponsored by the Women's Ministry Council, we had sale items donated by both church members and non-members.  A total of $2,162 was raised and added to the UNITED WE BUILD Account.  The account continues to grow. 

 The Harvest Committee led by Tom O’Connor has contacted the remaining few members who did not return a pledge card during our regular harvest period.  To date, cash pledges totaling $318,140 have been received.

 Another way to contribute to the building campaign is contributions of "gifts-of-labor."  So far, we have received pledges from four contractors/craftsmen to complete certain work on the building.  A huge thank you goes out to Travis Bevers, Shelby Brady, Tommy Cagle and Jerry Rogers.  No doubt, others will also be stepping up as time goes by.  We have also had a donation to prepare a Master Plan for the property.  Preparation of the Master Plan is scheduled to begin shortly. We are currently seeking donations of trees for the new property from a local nurseryman.  All of these commitments are very helpful and very significant. Perhaps you can help in these matters with similar donations.

 Our vision of a new church facility at our property on FM 2447 continues to progress.  Our success is the result of our church members who believe that HERE, WE GROW. Please continue to keep this whole effort in your daily prayers.

Sam Schulze - UWB Chairman

... grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Glory to Him now and forever!

II Peter 3:18

Our church is a family of love.  As we reach out to our community, many of our neighbors have come to worship with us and have found a home in our family.

One of the good effects of this growth we are experiencing, is the challenge to provide adequate space.

Worship Service Space
Our attendance is pushing capacity in our sanctuary regularly.  We are nearing the time that two worship services are likely.  We are considering the logistics of this and, leaving options open.

Sunday School
New groups are now meeting in space marked by removable partitions in the Education Building.  We are now using museum space for two adult Sunday School classes.

Parking
Parking is tight and some are parking on the street. This is not bad but not the best either.  We may park at the museum and take a short walk to church. Thank-you for helping us as we work through this situation. Remember that growth is good!

Several possibilities are being investigated to help us solve our growing pains. We definitely need your prayers and ideas for guidance in these matters.

Our ultimate goal is to relocate our congregation to our property on US 290.  Under ideal circumstances, from our beginning point, it will require a minimum of three years before move in.  So, we need to be working in that direction while we look for temporary resolutions to these specific needs.

These are good problems. We have a very talented and creative church family which we hope continues to grow. With God's guidance, we shall find the best way to solve them. Your input is very important.  Listed below are the names of members of your Future Planning Committee. Share your thoughts, your ideas, your suggestions with any of us. You may have the ideal answer.

Here are a couple of photos of the drawings that were presented to the church in the January Business Meeting.  These designs are just a starting point.  We hope to present to the congregation a more refined concept at the next business meeting on the last Sunday of July.  If we can't meet that date, by the end of August.