Keeping You in the Loop - 11/20/23

Over the past couple of years, we have been sharpening our focus on what matters most for us as a faith community. It’s that God is at work in us and with us, connecting us more deeply to God and to one another. Building a House, a Spiritual House, we’ve envisioned. As Scripture says, “You also as living stones are being built up into a spiritual house.” We’re excited about what God is up to!

At various junctures, together as a faith family, we have considered various aspects of what it means to be building this House. Most recently during our Stewardship Pledge Drive we lifted up four pillars of this House: Worship & Music; Children Youth & Family; Pastoral Presence; and the Lord’s House.  

About a year ago, you weighed in on a variety of aspects of the Lord’s House which have needed some attention. Everything from the parking lot to a refresh of the kitchen to being certain that our facilities are safe and secure. At the top of the list was finding a way to create better connecting space in the narthex, perhaps expanding that, recognizing that our narrow passageway down to the Fellowship Hall is a hindrance. And you were very supportive of a possible expansion of the front of our church building and entry to our facilities. Those plans were paused until late this summer when Church Council took a look again at some ideas developed by our Facility Site Task Force. Leadership, wanting to maximize our current space and minimize potential costs, asked the Task Force to reapproach these various spaces and needs all while keeping within the current footprint of our facilities.

Keep your eye out for initial drawings to be shared with you! We’ll provide opportunity to hear and see more in early December. And we anticipate that as a church family we can consider a formal Connecting 2024 proposal at our January Annual Meeting.  

Please reach out to any Council member with questions. Serving on our Facility Site Task Force are: Brandt Dinger, Gary Prinsen, Scott Dallmann, Tim Johnson, and Pastor Bruce. Currently, the Task Force is working with VanMan Architects and Builders in developing early ideas/options.