The Messenger - February 2011 - (Page 5)

V O LU M E 1 3 , I S S U E 2 T HE ME S S E N G E R PAGE 5 Cookies for College Kids It’s that time of year again to remember our college students with cookies and goodies. Donations can be made on or before Sunday, February 6. Please pack your cookies 6 to a baggie and bring them to the parlor. We will be packing the boxes after the 10:45 service that day. If you can help to pack that would be great too! If you have any questions please call Donna Yelley, 393-9718. A sign up sheet is on the bulletin board in the lobby. Please make sure your students’ address is updated with the office. Building Up, Reaching Out The Rev. Andrea Brown If you haven't already heard the good news, hear it here: Our Capital Campaign, with a goal of $900,000, has received $966,531 in pledges so far, and even before the three years of the campaign had begun, members had already given $160,000 in “first fruit” offerings. In the new year, more funds continue to roll in, and that's great, because it means we'll be able to pay the design and construction team without a large construction loan. We are off to a great start. What's more, we ended 2010 “in the black,” with weekly giving up once again. And pledges to the general budget are up some 7.7 percent for 2011. We're excited about this both because of the mission and ministry it will enable and because of what generous giving says about the spiritual health of our congregation. While some members are facing significant economic hardship or uncertainty—and we would encourage them to be responsible in using all their resources—we're delighted that many of us who are more financially secure developed such a strong sense of gratitude this fall that we discovered that we had more to give than we at first believed. That is a great feeling! So what's next with those Capital Campaign dollars? Shortly after Easter, we hope to start building, but before that, there are a number of steps along the way. We're in the process of hiring an architect, a contractor, and a few other professionals. Member and attorney Dan Blakinger has agreed to review contracts for us, and John Edwards has joined our building team, which also includes Cheryl Dennis, Ken Miller, Bob Desmarais (chair), and the pastors. When designs are ready this spring, we'll get the required approval from the United Methodist body that reviews building changes and then we'll come to the congregation for a vote. Our desire is to move forward with this process quickly, so watch for upcoming dates this spring. If all goes well, we hope to begin renovations shortly after Easter. The project will be phased so that we'll be able to use most of the building throughout construction, but we are talking with Schaeffer Elementary School about “borrowing” some space there for various purposes (including the fall ASP “Art for Heart” show). Meanwhile . . . the life of Grandview goes on, as recovering alcoholics find help here, families work together on Grandview's Local Outreach, homebound members enjoy visits, children and youth learn and grow, youth and adults plan for Appalachia Service Project trips, families facing crises receive real help, we partner with other congregations to ease future refugee resettlement, etc., etc. Lots of exciting stuff! Lots of people experience God's love through our hands, our prayers, and our generosity. Wow! God is good.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Messenger - February 2011

The Messenger - February 2011
Inside This Issue
Notes of Thanks
Youth Ministry
Council's Corner
Building Up, Reaching Out
Missions, Faith & Action
Immigrant Realties

The Messenger - February 2011