May 24, 2024
Dear church,
As we continue to plan for the future, one of the things I am trying to address in this current calendar year is how to best take care of and develop a plan for our property going forward. The Church Council and I are trying to take a comprehensive look at our property and identify needs and possibilities for it. We are seeking ways to better steward and utilize the property that we have. Welcoming the preschool this fall and utilizing the newer part of our building for fellowship and forums is a part of that development!
One piece of preparation that you’ve already heard about is the team that’s exploring greener alternatives to replacing the boiler. Another piece of preparation involves taking a closer look at the needs and hopes that we have for the sanctuary.
To address this, the Church Council has put into place a “sanctuary visioning” task force.
Those serving on this team are: John Pearson, Cathy Peregrino, Dave Bendickson, Bob Allen, Lisa Wolf, and me. This team intentionally comprises people who have been part of this congregation for a long time and people who are newer to this community and can see our spaces with new eyes, both of which are so valuable. This team is charged with assessing and identifying needs, hopes, and priorities for our sanctuary space, and they will develop a proposal for the Council; the Council will then determine how we move forward.
Obviously, a huge part of what will help this team come to clarity is getting input from the congregation! We want to hear your thoughts – what do you love about the sanctuary? What do you think needs improvement? What would make the space even more welcoming, inclusive, or beautiful?
If you have input you want to share, feel free to reach out to any of these folks. Members of this team will also be at church every Sunday in June, and will be available during fellowship time after worship to hear your thoughts and ideas. We look forward to receiving your input and ideas!
Moving forward together,
Pastor Sarah
Every Friday, we send an email to the congregation and any others who would like to learn more about the Grace community. The last four Friday emails are posted below.