On The Move! - 7/18/2008

Our renovations plans are "ON THE MOVE" !

Although we hit a bump in the road with the Firstfield renovations, we are now back on track with a plan for moving forward! In case you hadn't heard, the initial estimates came in much higher than our budget. In part because of the expansion of the scope of the project, but mainly because of building code requirements associate with changing the use of the facility from office space to assembly space. These building code requirements include upgrading of HVAC systems and ventilation loads throughout the building that are very costly.

This month our building team met with some of our staff to devise a plan for moving into the building as soon as possible within our current budget constraints. The plan we have devised is two-fold.

1. We will complete the renovations in phases. Phase one will include the minimum renovations required to meet code and be able to adequately accomplish our ministry goals within the facility.

Phase 1 (Move-In) includes the following items:

• Completion of 350-seat auditorium with a partially raised roof
• Build out of a lobby with an outside entrance
• Expansion of the second floor rest rooms
• Upgrading of HVAC systems for second floor North Building
• Creating large children's ministry rooms in the lower level North building
• Installing single restrooms in the preschool rooms
• Upgrading the HVAC and ventilation systems for the lower level children's area

2. In order to lower costs, we will need to do some of the work ourselves. God has gifted our congregation the skills, talents, and heart to complete some of the construction ourselves. We have identified areas that we could foreseeable do ourselves. These areas include: demolition, painting, drywall, carpentry, ceiling tile installation, and some electrical and plumbing tasks.

Completion of these two things will enable us to move out of Seneca Valley and into Firstfield for our Sunday morning services. We will complete the renovations of the children's ministry and begin student ministry renovations in future phases, that will begin as soon as funding becomes available.

We have faced some challenges in our Chapter Two building project; but in life, things that are really worth doing rarely come easy. The complexities and challenges we've faced have served to draw us together in thinking creatively, working collaboratively, and deepened our dependence upon God. Because of that, not only is our building project backup and moving ahead, our church family is also moving ahead in unity and strength.

Please pray for God's continued direction, provision and wisdom in this project. And if you would like to know how you can help with some of the construction projects please email Sid Duley at sidscars@comcast.net or sign up via the connections card on Sunday morning.

contributed by Jeannette Cochran