“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get a chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with people closest to us in the community of faith.” — Galatians 6:9
December 1st, 2016
Greetings Fountains folk,
Thank you to all who have contributed in so many ways to the initial success of our “Now is the Moment” capital campaign! We have already made significant inroads toward fulfilling our original vision of paying off our mortgage and realizing our dream of a new “connection center.”
The generosity of our congregation has been demonstrated not only in the total of campaign pledges (totaling $874,500) but also in the sustained giving towards those pledges (currently having collected well over $475,000).
In May of 2015 we paid $66,232.80 toward our mortgage leaving a current principal balance of $231,872.49. Our monthly principal/interest payment is $3,187. The next opportunity to pay off the balance without a pre-payment penalty will be in July of 2018 ($194,395).
In the meantime, the Building Committee has been hard at work striving to meet the NITM vision of a new “connection center.” They have explored multiple options for floor-plans that include office space, education space, and community connection space. After considering various building plans, consulting with multiple builders, and reviewing initial cost estimates, the Building Committee is recommending that the ‘house’ be torn down and has a preliminary “Plan A” design as a replacement.
We Seek Your Feedback
More than likely, “Plan A” will require additional funds over and above what was initially pledged. So, the Building Committee, Church Council, and I seek your feedback on how to proceed. Our goal is to determine the congregation’s appetite for raising additional monies through:
- inviting new members to contribute to the campaign
- soliciting again from any current members who have yet to contribute
- asking current contributors to extend their pledge for an additional year
- borrowing the needed difference between the monies pledged and the final contract price
- exploring other options (i.e. grants to support our Interfaith or LGBTQ outreach)
- a combination of any and/or all of the above.
After a series of informational forums and feedback opportunities, our plan will then be to determine a consensus among the congregation. We intend to do this in a formal poll in January of 2017.
Come One, Come All!
In order to share with everyone where things stand currently and to generate the most relevant questions, three town-hall type meetings are being planned. Each will include a brief presentation about the vision of the Building Committee and an update of the NITM campaign financials. The bulk of the time will then be focused on answering your questions and documenting your suggestions and concerns.
- Tuesday December 6th at 6:30pm
- Sunday December 18th in between services (approximately 10:15am)
- Sunday January 8th after second service (approximately 12:15pm)
All meetings will be in the Sanctuary.
Please join us as we hear from our Building Committee, receive an update on our “Now is the Moment” campaign progress, and share our ideas on how best to meet our collective vision for the future. Your prayerful consideration and participation in this process is much appreciated.
On behalf of the Building Committee and the “Now is the Moment” Campaign,
Rev. David Felten, Pastor
The Fountains’ Building Committee mission statement:
Our mission is to prayerfully lead in the design and delivery of a multipurpose space that better serves the diverse needs of our members and the community at large. Decisions will be made in the spirit of consensus and limited by the monies entrusted to us from the congregation. The results of our efforts will be a Connection Center that demonstrates from the outside, what we preach from the inside: ALL ARE WELCOME IN THIS PLACE.