Please read the most recent E News letter to become more
familiar with our respective slate of 2014 elder deacon slate of nominees: Denise
Gales, Karen Harris and Rick Martin;
Nathan
Higbee, Tim Love and Deanna Mullins.
The nomination process included, nominations from the body, prayerful
discerning discussion of all nominees by the nomination team, presentation of
12 elder and `12 deacon nominees to the session, more prayerful discerning
discussion, ballot voting by session elders, votes counted by session clerk and
nominating chair resulting in a slate of nominees. Nominees were approached and
asked to pray about accepting the nomination.
We will proceed to elect by acclamation at a short business
meeting near the beginning of the Thanksgiving Blowout, Sunday, November 24th
5:32 PM. For integrity purposes, our
polity allows for other nominations from the floor up to two weeks before the
election by contacting the moderator of the session, yours truly. If the nominee is willing to serve, the body
will be notified and we will elect by secret ballot on the same date.
FACILITY UPGRADES on the way in 2014! The Sanctuary is going to get a face lift
early 2014. New floor covering, a coat of paint, some
audio/video upgrades are in the works and if the price is right a few other nice
surprises. We also plan to remodel the
ARC bathrooms and spruce up the ARC foyer.
If funds allow, we will replace the floor covering in the stair wells
and around the track.
BUILDING EXPANSION
back on track for 2014 as well! In
2008, for economic reasons, we placed on hold the planned construction of more
community space, expanded nursery and new worship center. It is our intent to
begin construction on additional nursery space and an expanded Community space
(foyer) after Easter 2014. The plans are
being modified so the Community Space will connect the ARC and Sanctuary foyers. Sketch drawings will be revealed when
available. It will be about a $3.5 million project and will take around 10
months to complete. Much work has to be
done prior to construction but your session has prayerfully put the wheels in
motion and will be keeping you informed as the plans for design, costs, funding
and construction schedule unfold. We will give you an update at the Thanksgiving Blowout and
be around to answer any questions.
REBRANDING UPDATE: Your re-branding team has been meeting for a
year (Arlen Fuhlendorf, Lana Horadam,
Cheyanne Davis, Josh Fortney, Liz Mitchell, Bill Whatley, Nedra Lamar and Jeff Ogden) praying and discussing the
process that will result in new name for our faith community which will better
reflect our DNA and better connect with the unchurched. We are now partnering with a firm out of Atlanta
called Root Radius to help us. Root
Radius specialize in helping non profits, especially churches, identify their DNA and develop a branding
strategy to accelerate mission fulfillment.
It is our prayerful expectation that the Rebranding Team will have at
least three names to present to the session for consideration in early
2014.
Yes, there is much going on every week and every weekend.
God is working overtime. Through Jesus, lives are being changed before our very
eyes God is doing a new work among us in
the here and now and by the guidance of
the Holy Spirit, we are posturing ourselves to participate in what God wants to
do in the future.
Change is always challenging, but every challenge is an
opportunity to grow in faith, hope and love. I remain as excited and hopeful
about our future as I did 27 years ago so it is with boldness I declare once
more, the best is yet to come!
Peace,
Rick
