Summer Hours of Operation:

July:  Saturday 10am - 1pm

and

*****

Next Date:  Friday, August 2

First Baptist Church

493 Main Street, Malden

Volunteers needed:

4pm for food prep

5pm for food service

5:30 - 7pm for clean-up

Bakers also needed

Contact Tony Lopes for details:

978 710 6927

Last evening, July 9, our vestry met and made some important decisions on the capital campaign and on how we will proceed this summer.  In addition, our property committee and capital campaign visitors met before the vestry meeting.  As your rector, I would like to thank the members of the vestry for agreeing to meet in July, and for their leadership and generosity.  I am also grateful to the people who have worked so hard to arrange visits to every family in our parish, and to a property committee that has been so dedicated to executing renovations to our building.

Here are the actions the vestry and parish leaders took last evening, and an outline of how we hope work will proceed on projects to be completed this summer.

 

When the vestry voted to begin a capital campaign, we were all a little worried--maybe even scared.  After all, our parish hasn't tried to launch a capital campaign in over 60 years.  Still, our building has a lot of deferred maintenance, and on this centennial year, the vestry voted to begin a campaign to raise $350-400,000.  We are now almost finished with the campaign, and our parishioners have pledged around $425,000!  We aren't quite finished, and we want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to participate.  If you have not received an in-home visit, or if you have not yet made a pledge, please consider being a part of our campaign as we celebrate a century of service and prepare for the next century together.

Last evening, July 9, our vestry met and made some important decisions on the capital campaign and on how we will proceed this summer.  In addition, our property committee and capital campaign visitors met before the vestry meeting. 

Here are the actions the vestry and parish leaders took, and an outline of how we hope work will proceed on projects to be completed this summer. 

Last month, the vestry voted to authorize the property committee to spend up to $20,000 for repairs to the boiler.  This is the first phase of making our heating system cost effective, energy efficient, and more environmentally friendly.  In addition to the first phase of boiler repair, the vestry voted to take action on the leaking roof, the walkways and masonry and small walls outside, and the classrooms in our basement.

The property committee set a budget for repairing the roof (the area where the wall is bubbling at the entrance to the nave).  The committee recommended 20 oz. coated copper to repair the flashing, and the roofing company will be peeling back the roof, repairing any water damage, and replacing any damaged slates.  The bid was $42,300 with a 50% contingency.  The vestry authorized spending up to $65,000, with one third to be paid upon signing of the contract.  Work will take about three weeks and can begin in the next week or so.  The hope is that we will be able to repair the bubbling and peeling paint in the sanctuary by Christmas.

The vestry approved up to $24,000 to be spent on replacing the crumbling sidewalks, and repairing the masonry around the Chute Street side door and the small walls across from the doorway.  In addition to the new sidewalks and masonry work, the outer walls will be power washed and as needed, the stucco will be sealed.  This work could begin almost immediately and will be completed in about three weeks.

The third project is a clean-out and improvements in our downstairs classrooms.  The church school is growing and we need to be able to utilize all three classrooms.  The church school teachers presented a detailed proposal to our property committee, which the committee recommended and the vestry approved.  This project will entail a major clean-out of many years of accumulated items, a thorough cleaning, probably professional, and the painting of two of the classrooms.  We will also need to address air quality issues, making sure the windows open and that we improve ventilation, perhaps with dehumidifiers and ventilating fans.  The basement space also needs new, light-weight tables and additional folding chairs (replacing many of the old chairs that are rusted or in poor repair and all of the old tables).  If possible, the church school would like cabinets that secure and protect Godly Play materials, and new, child-sized furniture for our youngest students.  The vestry approved up to $20,000 for this project, which must be completed in time for the first week of church school, in mid-September.

We currently have around $80,000 in the capital campaign account.  2013 pledges are due in mid-September, and if pledges come in generally on time, the hope is that we will have in hand around $180,000 by the end of September, which should allow us to complete this first round of projects.

Our hope is that we can tackle our organ repairs during Epiphany and Lent of next year, with the new organ being ready by Easter.  The improvements and renovations in the lounge, office, hallway, bathrooms, and small kitchen would happen last, possibly next summer and early fall.

Thank you so much everyone! 

 

 

 

 

 

From the Standing Committee: A Prayer for the Upcoming Election for Bishop  

Almighty God, giver of every good gift: We thank you for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, and for the witness of your whole church in his name.  We thank you for your Holy Spirit, empowering us for ministry.  So guide the hearts and minds of all those who shall choose a bishop in this diocese and those who will respond to the call, that we may receive a faithful pastor who will care for your people.  May our discernment transform our spirits and draw us closer to you, Almighty God.  Amen.

 

Please call or email the office if you would like to have someone added to the prayer list.  People will remain on the list for four consecutive weeks, unless otherwise requested.