FACILITIES EXPANSION BUILDING APPEAL

After years of planning and research, Grace congregation is looking to add a multi-purpose ministry facility for education and fellowship gatherings, including a large modern kitchen and indoor space for recreation. The "master plan" will also provide for an inviting main entrance with larger narthex space. Our existing parish building will be renovated to make classrooms more suitable for use by our Sunday School, Preschool, and Afterschool programs.  Total  projected cost of the Phase 1 expansion is estimated to be $985,000. This expansion/renovation project will enable our congregation to increase our outreach opportunities and to serve our congregation and community more effectively.  Click here to see the preliminary plan by the architectural firm of Carter/Jumper/Sease.   This plan is on display at the church as well as the drawings of the possible exterior views shown above. Click here to see a larger version of the exterior views.

OUR THEME - GROWING IN GOD'S GRACE

Growing in God's Grace is the theme for our Building Fund Appeal for future facilities expansion here at Grace. The ELCA Stewardship Key Leader for our Growing in God’s Grace Campaign is the Rev. Dr. Dean Piper. The Growing in God's Grace - Building for Ministry logo at left was designed by Grace member Heather Harris. This theme flows out of our congregation's mission statement which states that we will "use our resources as a center of activities through which others may experience God's life-transforming grace." We are created by God to grow in love and grace. We are saved by Jesus to share God's story of love and grace. We are then inspired by the Holy Spirit to reach out and serve in God's world. While our congregation is always working to fulfil this mission, expanded facilities will be a tremendous help in enabling us to do these things more effectively.

PLEDGES AND GIFTS

As of  Jan. 31, 2010, pledges and gifts in the amount of $367,401 have been received for our Building Fund Appeal. Thanks be to God!  Total gifts received through January 31 is $248,873. An additional $7,365 has been donated for "God's People of Grace" bricks and other special non-budgeted items.

BUILDING FUND OFFERING ENVELOPES

Remember to use the BLUE envelopes included in the 2009 envelope boxes to give your pledge offerings and other gifts to the Growing in God’s Grace Building Fund Appeal. GOLD envelopes are for donations toward facilities' upkeep and maintenance. WHITE envelope offerings go toward the current budget and benevolence. Using the color-coded envelopes helps to ensure that your gifts are attributed to the funds to which you want them to go.  For memorials or honorariums, please designate on the envelope, enclosure, and/or on the check in whose memory or honor the donation is being made. Extra commitment cards and envelopes are available on the narthex table (or call the office at 364-3331.) If you don't have access to the blue Building Fund Envelopes, be sure to mark your envelope, enclosure, and/or check for "Building Fund Appeal."  The church's mailing address is: P.O. Box 188, Prosperity, SC  29127.  We give thanks to God for tremendous response to this appeal and continue to welcome all gifts to this project.

MORE ON OUR STEWARDSHIP KEY LEADER

The Rev. Dr. Dean Piper has been assigned as the ELCA Stewardship Key Leader for our Growing in God’s Grace Campaign. The ELCA Stewardship Key Leader program is a five-week, consultant-led stewardship education and response program for building funds, debt-reduction or the annual fund.  A specially trained consultant directs the program on-site for two weekends within the five-week program and is available to the pastor and other leaders during the entire program. 

Dr. Piper and his wife, Peg, live in Lady Lake, Florida, but have connections to South Carolina and to Grace. Several years ago, he was the guest speaker at our Congregational Council planning retreat. He was the Mission developer/pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Vance for five years before becoming the Director of Missions and Stewardship for the SC Synod. He retired from that position in February 2005 and now devotes his time to being one of the eight national ELCA Stewardship Key Leaders as well as part-time pastoral coordinator of Education for Hope Lutheran Church in The Villages in Florida. He is also the author of three books, Face the Future with Faith, Affirming Our Faith Together, and Is He Coming Soon?

OTHER BUILDING APPEAL LEADERS

Johnny Merck has been appointed by Congregational Council as the chairperson for the Growing in God’s Grace Appeal. Leadership Teams and chairmen include:  Communications - Kim Metz, Beverly Merck, co-chairs; Hospitality - Donna Hall, Nancy Derrick, co-chairs; Spiritual Emphasis - Lynn Wessinger, Sally Dominick, co-chairs; Follow-up - Terry Shaver, chair; and Advanced Contacts - Everett Crafts, Eddie Rivers, co-chairs. If you would like to help with a particular team, please contact Chair Johnny Merck or Pastor Eric.

Kim Metz is serving as treasurer of the Building Fund. (Edna Riley was treasurer for the initial onset of the Appeal.) Clyna Quattlebaum has been appointed as Building Fund secretary.

The Facilities Team continues to provide leadership in exploring the possibilities for future facilities expansion. Members of this team are Jeremy Medlock, chair; Jeannine Bedenbaugh; Ben Long; Walt Quattlebaum; Andy Ackerman; Bob Dibble; Robert Neel; and John Dawkins.