Building for Tomorrow

There' s a bit of buzz swirling around about a possible capital campaign at St. Peter's, so I want to bring you up to speed on what's going on. At our Annual Parish Meeting in February, I concluded my Rector's Report with some remarks about looming capital renovation and restoration needs.

"There are numerous projects here that require our immediate attention, the ignorance of which would only cost us added difficulty and expense down the road. In order to preserve the facilities of St. Peter's for future generations, and do more than preserve, but improve, there is work for us to do in the coming years."

You have probably noticed the urgent need for painting in the church, and in particular, dedicated attention paid to the stenciling in the chancel. The electrical in the church needs updating, as does the audio system. And our parking lot is crumbling. Too much delay in addressing these situations will only make them harder and more expensive down the road. Thus, the Vestry and Building and Grounds Council have been carefully considering these capital needs, and how a campaign beginning in 2012 could address them.

But as a community of Jesus' followers, we are about more than just maintaining what exists. Our responsibility as Christians involves more than preservation. God has given us a mission: to expand his kingdom and invite more people into the way of Jesus.

So in the past several months the Vestry has been engaged in a thoughtful reflection on who we are as a church, what our mission is as the people of God, and where we might have opportunities to create the facilities and programs that help us grow into the future. That is, we're trying to engage this capital campaign as a chance to be about mission and not maintenance.

So, for example, there has been conversation about

• expanding our staff to create more high-quality education and outreach ministries, as well as broaden our worship opportunities.
• accessibility in our church, and how we might create an altar space that does not prevent handicap or mobility-impaired people from coming forward to receive communion.
  
• energy creation, and whether we could generate some of our own electricity through photo-voltaic panels, or heat our buildings in alternative ways.
• the lack of a welcoming, handicap accessible entrance from the parking lot
• our need for a hospitable "parlor" space that would better accommodate meetings with families or for bride's to prepare for their wedding.
• remodeling the kitchen in support our fellowship events.

Already the Vestry and several other congregational leaders have had preliminary meetings with capital campaign consultants who could assist our efforts down the road, though no one has been hired. And we've met with a few architects to help us more clearly see the opportunities for renovation, restoration and construction, though again, no one has been hired. Your Vestry is thoughtfully, responsibly and deliberately proceeding, and nothing is being rushed.

in coming months, everyone at St. Peter's will have an opportunity to share their opinion on what we can and should be doing as part of this campaign. Every voice will be heard. Nothing will happen without the full community's participation and knowledge, for whatever we do, it will be for the glory of God and for the building of this whole church.

If you have questions, please call or email me, or call our Senior Warden Andrea Wilson. We would gladly visit with you, hear your ideas or concerns, and answer your questions.

It's an exciting time to be at St. Peter's, and I hope you, too, experience the joy of being in the Lord's service.  God's peace be with you.