Crossing The Threshold
Today is the day! After five years of dreaming, three years of planning and the first year of fund-raising, today we embark on the next exciting chapter in the life of this church. Today the fences go up around the west entry and work begins on the first phase of the renovation of the South Wing. What a wonderful moment in our life together.
As I shared yesterday in worship, signs of the improving economy in Oakland County, the Big Three and the region help to breath confidence into the project, but this never has been about the economy. It has always been about the vision of the congregation and the generosity of our people, even in the light of a terrible economy. For this congregation to make this kind of commitment in the depths of the recent recession speaks volumes about the hope and determination of this church. Now, as we begin the work, all we can say is "Thanks Be To God!" and thanks to each of you who have shared in the financial support of the project.
While we are at it, a big thank you goes to all the folks who worked on the Rummage Sale last week and thanks to the South Wing Renovation Committee for including funds in the Building Fund budget to pay for the moving and storage of all the rummage sale equipment. It means that those costs do not have to come out of the rummage sale and the sale can continue to support the broad range of missions of the congregation. All that stuff will come back in time for the next Rummage Sale in the renewed space--all except for those temporary ramps since the building will be entirely barrier free.
Tonight General Conference will elect members to the Judicial Council and my name will be in nomination. If you would like to follow the plenary session, you can live-stream it at www.umc.org.
And on Friday, don't miss the chancel choir and orchestra's performance of "Elijah". Just remember, you can't use the west entry any more, because today we cross the threshold! Thanks be to God!
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