All aboard!

Dear friends,

We have talked a lot about our planned residency program. We have had an informational meeting for the congregation, a series of session meetings, meetings with a Presbytery committee and a bunch of coach’s corners on the subject.  We have established two committees to guide the process.  I am getting a good sense that most people if not everybody are on board.  This is good, because the train is about to leave the station!  We have reached a crucial moment when the talking we have done and the words we have let loose on this are going to be turned into concrete action.  It is a moment of commitment.  In about two months we will need to start spreading the word that we are looking for residents and have program/job descriptions going out. This month the refurbishing of the Kansha building is scheduled to begin. A Presbytery construction team will do the work.

Even after the question and answer sheet I did for last month’s newsletter, I have gotten the feedback that the finances for this exciting project are not completely clear to all of you.  Let’s just say you’re on board of this train that’s about to leave the station, but you’re not completely sure how the ticket will be paid for.  So let me explain.  There are two financial commitments that we must take on.  First, the refurbishing of the Kansha house which we think will top out at fifteen thousand dollars (it would be much more expensive if we did not have the free labor).  About two thirds of that has been raised (so imagine one of these fundraising thermometers that goes up two-thirds of the way).  In addition there have been offers from church members to pay for a water heater and a security system.  Our general budget and our reserve earmarked for routine maintenance have nothing to do with this.   But once it’s done is done and we will have a building that’s worth quite a bit more than it is now.

The second financial commitment is for the stipend scholarships for two residents, each $12,000 per year.  This will be ongoing. These are not the responsibility of our congregation.  The Mission Support committee of the Presbytery has just voted to establish a scholarship fund account for these stipends that congregations in our region will be able to donate to and still get mission giving credits.  Since all congregations are expected to give at least 5% of their budget to mission giving, we will probably redirect our congregation’s mission giving entirely to our own project and still get mission giving credit. Nevertheless, we are going to ask other Presbyterian churches to donate the majority of the scholarship aid. The mission support committee of Presbytery is also planning to donate a significant amount.  Because we are not starting the program until the middle of next year, only half of the scholarships will need to be raised for 2016.

If groups or families wish to donate to this program, the next few months will be a good time.  If donating specific items is more acceptable, here are some possibilities: two wall unit ac/heater units (like the one in my office) at about 1,700 each, a new 7 square foot window, removable bars for two windows, two security doors at about $200 each, insulation pads for the attic, a shower head and faucet, a shower curtain and rail, 2 ikea storage units, two ikea beds, two ikea desks, 1 rug, 2 small desks.

To use a well known saying: “we have miles to go before we sleep,” but we are getting there. We are a small church.  But as Thomas the tank engine said:”I think I can, I think I can.”

There is a scene in Wes Anderson’s movie “The Darjeeling Express” where the train is stopped in the Indian wilderness. When an American passenger asks what’s wrong with the train, he is told the train is lost.  He responds:”but how can a train be lost, it’s on rails?”  Dear friends, I think we laid out the rails pretty deliberately for this project. Let’s start rolling. We ask for your prayers. May God bless our ministry and the journey. All abooooard…. Aart