St. John’s Facility Project Continues . . . updated December12, 2008

A Church Alive!

BE INVOLVED, BE INFORMED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Facility Update Thank you to all of you for your efforts in the A Church Alive! Capital Campaign. Many of our St. John’s members have shown great faith during a time of significant uncertainty in our economy and we want to provide you with an update on the activity taking place currently with the A Church Alive! Capital Campaign. With more than 350 pledges for $1,660,000, A Church Alive! has a great beginning. It is very encouraging that the average pledge is nearly $4750. Remember, this is a three year campaign and we hope that, as we move forward, several additional households will join their fellow members to support this vision for St. John’s future. As the economic climate improves over these years, everyone has the opportunity to reconsider their gift. This was a very good campaign, and these initial results are to be celebrated as so many families have stepped forward in faith!

We have much to be thankful and excited about. Based on current pledge amounts, the finance committee and Church Council have held preliminary discussions on potential loan levels. The existing first mortgage will be paid off by December 31, 2008.

As a result of these discussions, the project architects, B.L.D.D, have been asked to revise the proposal for a Phase I in the $3 to $3.2 million dollar range. The revised proposal is being reviewed by members of the Facilities Leadership Planning Team, Property Ministry Team, Church Council and staff. A recommendation will be developed for Church Council to review at their next meeting. Additional details will be provided to the congregation in mid January and the Council recommendation will be presented to the congregation at the annual meeting on January 25, 2009.

The extensive remodeling and new additions in the revised Phase I proposal from B.L.D.D. (Revised Phase I Floor Plans) include reconstruction of the Fellowship Hall (new roof, asbestos abatement, remodeled classrooms for Noah’s Ark and Joy Zone; remodeled Fellowship Hall Kitchen; updated West side building entrance; and a new addition for the Junior High, Senior High and Nursery areas.

Space for several additional classrooms for elementary and adult education will then be available where the existing nursery and Noah’s Ark are presently located. In addition to the activity related to the building, we intend for A Church Alive! to be an on going process. We have plans to communicate progress to members, continue to reach out to current members who have not yet pledged, and communicate to new members as they join the church. Please contact Chris Magnuson, (309) 825-6018 or cmagnuson@ilfb.org, if you are interested in joining the On Going Support Team.

In addition to the previous items discussed, we believe that we now have a strong Stewardship program for 2009. With 470 pledges in we have $1,413,734 pledged to our annual operating budget.

We hope you found this update helpful. Christ is alive at St. John’s Lutheran Church!

For more information please contact:
Shari Buckellew, Facility Planning Chair, 452-0858, sbuckellew@normal.org
Dan Lammers, Council President, 2009 663-1005, DRML@aol.com
Chris Magnuson, Capital Campaign Chair 825-6018, susan_magnuson@comcast.net
Fred Peterson, Council President, 2008 268-8413, fred.jan.peterson@verizon.net

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (I Corinthians 12:27)
A Church Alive! Progress Reports: 2008
Aug - A Church Alive!
May - Kairos Assessment Report
Sep - Revised Case Statement
Sep - A Church Alive! Packet>