| We are blessed by the pastoral and music leadership we have in place at our church today, and by the dynamic and faith-building programming that these leaders have brought to The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley. We have welcomed 176 new members in the past 3 years and we have many prospective members in the wings. More Christian education classes are being offered; more programs are underway; more mission work is being planned; and more people are being touched through all of these efforts. People who are joining our church say they are doing so because they see The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley as a vital and growing church; a place that is serious about worship, mission, Christian education, fellowship, and full engagement of our children and youth. We believe all of this is pleasing to God. We also know that our facilities are key to all of this happening and happening well. |
|
The Session of our Congregation met for its monthly meeting Tuesday, February 12th. Two key items on the agenda were to hear a recommendation from the Property Committee regarding air conditioning of the Sanctuary, and to vote on the Facilities Master Plan B. It is important to us that you be informed of these decisions immediately following their occurrence. |
The Ad Hoc Facilities Committee (AHFC) brought forward a revised Plan B — with revision based on feedback received during Informational Sessions and in conversations with folks -- for Session’s vote. Many of you were especially eager to see improvements made to the existing building prior to any other work being done. Therefore, the AHFC recommended a modified Plan B for Session’s vote that switched the proposed projects 2 and 3 in order of priority. Specifically, the AHFC recommended to Session that Project 1 (Deferred Maintenance) be left as Project 1; that the next project would be the modifications to the existing building (previously described as Project 3); and that the construction of a new Fellowship House and changes to the site be the third project in the proposed plan to be done as funding allowed. A copy of the final and approved Facilities Master Plan B is available through a link in the righthand column and in the church office if you would like to read it.
No work will be undertaken without funds committed to pay for any improvements (following the deferred maintenance work, which has already commenced). This will ensure that improvements and additions to the existing building will be funded ahead of a new Fellowship House or site changes, unless, of course, designated funding exclusively applying to the Fellowship House or site changes is received. It is with great hope and expectation that this change will encourage the generosity of many who expressed passion about seeing improvements made to the existing building, including the Dining Hall and dedicated Sunday School Rooms, as well as from those who are especially excited by the construction of a new Fellowship House to include substantially upgraded space for our youth and others who will gather there.
So in summary, the Session voted unanimously to approve the revised Facilities Master Plan B which will be timed over to the Property Conunittee for implementation, as funds are committed to do the work. The sequence of the work will be as follows:
1. Project 1: Deferred Maintenance (estimated at $1,196,900)
2. Project 2: Church Building Renovations & Additions (estimated at $5,291,280)
3. Project 3: New Fellowship Hall & Site Changes (estimated at $2,592,700).
With this vote, the Ad Hoc Facilities Committee’s work is completed and that committee is dissolved. The AHFC has invested 2 V2 years of time, effort, and prayerful guidance in spearheading this vital challenge on behalf ofthe entire Congregation, and they are thanked most sincerely for their dedication and diligent labor.
|
