The Journey Continues into Building Phase 1

January 16, 2012, was a historic day for Epworth United Methodist Church! The congregation overwhelmingly voted to support moving forward with the proposed Phase I building addition and renewal efforts. At the same time, the congregation approved the appointment of a Building Team to oversee and manage the efforts, as well as act on the church’s behalf during this portion of the long term project.

The Epworth Building Team members include:

• Bob Andrews – Chairman
• Mark Handy
• Jodi Perras
• Jim Harland
• Dick Lautz
• Matt Steiner
• Bill Hoopes
• Jan Frost
• Neal Shoger

Each member of the team brings a specific educational and professional background to the project that will be vitally important in seeing to it that the work done is of the highest affordable quality possible, done on time, and within the budgetary guidelines.

The next step is for the Team to meet with our architects to approve the Schematic Drawings for Phase I and to determine where construction of renewal items should fit in over the course of the next three years. As we proceed during this ramp-up towards construction, we will keep the congregation fully informed as to the next anticipated steps in the process.

Stay tuned for more updates!

January 16th–An Historical Day at Epworth UMC!

Dear Friends,

January 16, 2012 will be an historical date in the history of Epworth UMC.

On that day at 7 p.m. we’ll gather in a Church Conference to formally decide whether or not to proceed with Phase 1 of the building effort. Countless hours of prayer, research, dialogue, formal and informal meetings, conceptualizing and discernment have brought us to this point. The work of the Building for the Future Committee and The Journey Continues Committee members has enlightened and empowered us to make an informed decision. Each committee member’s service and work among us is greatly appreciated.

Now we must decide to build or not build.

All church members have voice and vote. This means YOU are encouraged to come and voice how God is leading you and the church as a whole in this matter. If we proceed, we’ll authorize the financing of the project and direct a building committee to proceed with all due diligence. If we vote not to proceed, the moneys already given toward the effort will be refunded. The church body needs your input, wisdom and discernment. Collectively we seek to discern God’s will and then take up the challenge of obedience.

This is an historical moment in our lives together. The bricks and mortar are means to an end–the end being a renewed sense of what God wills for us to do and be as the Body of Christ at this time and place. Bricks and mortar can be signs of new life and ministry being birthed or the harbingers of fear and failure. In either case we are co-creators with God of what the future holds.

This is an awesome responsibility and challenge. It requires our best efforts!

I look forward to seeing and hearing you on the 16th. Rev. Robert Coleman, our Assistant District Superintendent will officiate. As always continue to undergird our Church Conference in prayer and behold what God will do among us. I guarantee it’ll be exciting!!!

God bless,
Pastor Bill

Final Vote for Phase 1

The latest news on how The Journey Continues at Epworth…

A Church Conference will be held on January 16th at 7 pm at Epworth United Methodist Church. At this time, we will take a final vote to approve/disapprove proceeding with Phase 1 of the building effort and authorize required financing. All church members have a voice and a vote–we invite you to come and let your voice be heard. History in the making at Epworth!

Please plan to attend: Monday, January 16th at 7pm in the sanctuary.

Prayer is Needed to Meet Challenges

“Houston, we have a problem.”

Remember those words? In days of challenge we need to talk to someone. For those astronauts who were faced with a life-threatening challenge, they needed to talk to their command center, located in Houston.

The same is true for us. As our Building for the Future: The Journey Continues campaign gains speed we know that we too are in days of challenge. Christ gave us a mission that we cannot ignore—”Be a disciple. Go and make other disciples.”

Our Epworth challenge includes a goal of raising $1.45 million to make our church entryway more accessible, to make our lobby more visible and welcoming, and to make needed repairs so we can continue to make and nourish disciples for many more years.

Your Spiritual Emphasis Team is using all available means to encourage everyone to spend time in personal prayer. To help you in your communications with God, the team has developed a Spiritual Emphasis Devotional with 28 daily readings and also a daily prayer calendar written by our church members and friends. The readings will be available in print format or online (in our E-Echo newsletter). Distribution will begin Oct. 30, Prayer Sunday.

Building for the Future. . . The Journey Continues 24 hour Prayer Vigil.
Saturday, November 26 beginning at 9a.m. through Sunday, November 27 at 9a.m. in anticipation of commitment Sunday. Sign up on the foyer board for 15 minute intervals to pray at home, on the road as you travel, wherever you will be for the holiday weekend. To be in prayer for God’s vision for Epworth, that our efforts will glorify God and grow the Kingdom, that each one of us will grow in our own faith and in our ability to share God’s love with the world.

Plan now to find a daily time for prayer as our congregation seeks to answer God’s challenge. Your prayers are vital as we face this time of challenge and change in our congregation.

Time to Pray

Consider the following topics on your prayer list:

• The Building for the Future: The Journey Continues leadership team.
• Our church leaders, both staff and lay persons.
• People you know by name, perhaps even those who worship with us, who need to know Jesus.
• Our congregation, as we face this challenge to improve our building and meet the needs of our neighborhood.

It’s time to pray. Will you continue to ask God “Lord how do you want to use me to accomplish your purposes in and through our church?”

Questions & Answers

Q: Is there a certain amount of money that I will be expected to commit to our stewardship program?
A: No. After asking God for guidance in the decision, each person will decide their particular commitment. The goal is not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice.

Q:When do the commitments begin?
A: You can begin to give your gift on Sunday, Dec.18 or in the new year. You should feel free to honor your commitment in accordance with your financial plans.

Looking Ahead

Oct. 30 – Prayer Sunday
Nov. 20 – Challenge Sunday
Nov. 26-27 – Prayer Vigil
Nov. 27 – Commitment Sunday
Dec. 11 – Celebration Sunday

Fall Campaign: Based on Biblical Principles

This fall’s stewardship campaign is a campaign to motivate our church family to make a new and deeper commitment to Jesus Christ in all areas of our lives. Our journey includes a goal of raising more than $1 million to make our church entryway more accessible, to make our lobby more visible and welcoming, and to make needed repairs throughout the church building.

This year’s effort is based on five key principles:
1. God created and owns everything.
2. We are stewards (managers) of our life, time, talents and resources.
3. Being a Christian steward requires personal commitment, discipline and sacrifice.
4. Stewardship is our joyful response to God for what God has done for us.
5. God holds us accountable for all that has been entrusted to us.

You are invited to begin now to ask God how you are expected to participate. Start by asking God, “Lord, how do you want to use me to accomplish your purposes in and through your church?”

You are also invited to check out the display in the church lobby to learn more about the campaign. Talk with campaign co-chairs Randy Siebert and Larry Whitham. Watch for more information as we work with God to change lives through our proposed addition and renovations.

Questions & Answers

Q. But I thought this was about fund raising. Why are you talking about God’s Word instead?
A. Unashamedly, this is a campaign to raise money. It has and always will take money to further God’s kingdom.

Q. But, if we’re going to raise money, then we’re going to do it God’s way. So what can we expect?
A. Here’s what will NOT happen: (1) No one will ever come to your home and ask for a gift. (2) No one will ask you to attend a campaign event and expect you to fill out a commitment card at that moment. Here’s what WILL happen: We will all be challenged to ask God what he intends for us to give to Building for the Future: The Journey Continues.

Mark These Dates

October 23 – Advance Challenge Meeting 5:30pm
In 1 Chronicles David gathered his leaders & they gave generously to the building of the temple. On Oct 23, the leaders of this church will gather to be spiritually challenged to go home and pray about what God would have them give to the Building for the Future: The Journey Continues campaign.

November 20 – Challenge Sunday 8:45 & 11:00
If you think it’s about money & filling our pledge cards, you will be pleasantly surprised. The “Challenge” of Challenge Sunday will be this: Be Still. Listen Expectantly. Ask Boldly. Obey Humbly. Join us on November 20.

November 27, December 4 – Commitment Sunday 8:45 & 11:00
Did you ever buy a gift for someone you love and couldn’t wait until they opened it? Commitment Sunday is your time to give your gift to God. Mark your calendar for November 27 or December 4.

Building for the Future: The Journey Continues

Changing lives is goal of fall campaign

It’s about changed lives.

It is a campaign of the heart!

This fall’s capital campaign is about Building for the Future. But this building plan isn’t just about blocks and concrete.

This is a campaign to motivate our church family to make a new and deeper commitment to Jesus Christ in all areas of our lives.

Our journey includes a goal of raising $1.145 million to make our church entryway more accessible, to make our lobby more visible and welcoming, and to make needed repairs so we can continue to make and nourish disciples for many more years. (NOTE: the newsletter that was sent out incorrectly stated the amount at $1.45 million. The correct amount is $1.145 million for Phase 1.)

Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God more than anything else. Focusing on the Kingdom encouraged his followers to see what he was doing in their hearts and to consider all that God would do in through them in the future.

God is doing something through our proposed addition and renovations.

You are invited to partner with God to change lives.

Q&AQ: Why is our church involved in a campaign?
A: This campaign gives us the opportunity to pray about our individual gift of time/talents
and treasures. The finances committed for the next three years will enable us to build a new entryway, enlarge our lobby and repair aging parts of our building. The time and talents commitments will allow us to grow and better minister to our church family and our community.

Q: Isn’t the campaign just a front to get money?
A: God owns everything (Psalm 24:1) — our time, talents, and treasures. We are simply managers. When we understand that, the rest takes care of itself.

Meet our Campaign Team!

• Randy Siebert and Larry Whitham, co-chairs—Give leadership to the campaign.
• Ken Adkins, Spriritual Emphasis—Provides prayer support.
• Joe Hatcher, Advance Commitments—Challenges leaders to “go first.”
• Cathy Hinkle, Communications—Keeps you informed.
• Pam and Tom Cooper, Presentations—Discusses biblical stewardship in small groups.
• Betsy Fowler, Arrangements—Plans for food at the Advance Challenge Meeting.
• Lucinda Lautz, Reminder—Provides gentle reminders to attend events.
• Mark Dorrell, Creative Gifts—Gives confidential counseling for creative gifts.

Church lobby is multi-purpose

Enlarging lobby will extend Epworth welcome
The Epworth Church lobby is a busy place on Sunday mornings. It is also a crowded place. Enlarging the lobby will allow more room for hugs and greetings, an information desk, and the busy Epworth library. Large windows and easy access will provide a warm invitation: Come in and see what is going on!

Upcoming Events

• Oct. 23-Advance Challenge Meeting
• Nov. 13 – Prayer Sunday
• Nov. 20 – Challenge Sunday
• Nov. 27 – Commitment Sunday
• Dec. 4 – Commitment Sunday
• Dec. 11 – Celebration Sunday

Moving Ahead with Phase 1

This summer, we were excited to announce that the Pre-Campaign Assessment report from Dick Beall of Church Growth Services showed a positive response and support for moving ahead with Phase 1 of the Building for the Future growth campaign:

“The major themes from the household interviews and the congregation-wide survey indicate there is adequate support for a capital campaign to fund Phase One. Therefore, go and accomplish your goal. And give the glory to God.”

The study conducted by Church Growth Services was gathered through the following:

1. A series of reports including various church statistical documents, financial records and other miscellaneous items.
2. Various meetings with the staff, BFTF and key leaders.
3. Several congregational Input Forums.
4. Two rounds of confidential personal interviews.
5. A congregational survey.
6. The principals of Church Growth Services who met frequently to analyze the findings and to oversee the study’s direction.

You can review the entire study by downloading this PDF of the report.

Committees are now forming and plans are being developed for forging ahead with Phase 1. Everyone at Epworth United Methodist Church is now charged to stand up and help through your committee involvement, your outreach efforts, your monetary support, and your prayers. Look for opportunities to get involved soon!