Thoughts from John Collins, a United Methodist Pastor in the Flint Hills.
Thanks to Brian Kabriel for taking the lead on getting the faded Cross and Flame taken down, taken to be repainted, and then put back up. And a Hat Tip to Sheffield Tree Service for being willing to bring their truck back. Photos by Brian Kabriel and John Collins.
The final pour for the new parking lot was completed today, but it will not be ready to drive on by Easter. It will be a month or two before the lines are painted. (The more completely the concrete is cured, the better the paint sticks to it.)
Received from Eric Williams, Chair of the Stewardship and Finance Committee:
Soon a local contractor will begin replacing the east and north parking lots (the south lots were installed with the Fellowship Hall project). These lots are quite old with extensive cracking and which, in the Trustees assessment, are near failure. In the coming weeks, the Trustees will announce the project timeline and temporary parking and building access plans. The new surface will be concrete with a projected life of approximately 30 years.
This is a significant project that will cost approximately $360,000. Fortunately, the Church has adequate reserves which our Church Council has approved to fund this project;
however, the project will consume approximately 40% of liquid cash and investments of the Church including most of our facility-related reserve and endowed funds in addition to
$60,000 of our general ministry-endowed funds. You are invited to participate and help reduce the draw on our reserve funds. Simply make your check payable to CAUMC, with
“Parking Fund” on the memo line and place it in the offering plate or return it to the church office, (College Avenue UMC, 1609 College Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502).
John Purvis, the chair of the board of trustees has informed me that the process of taking down the “Lightning Tree” by the west parking lot will begin today. I have mixed feelings. One one hand the tree was struck by lightning and if it’s not taken down it will be come a hazard. On the other hand I hate to see it goes, it’s the only named tree at First UMC.
The strips of lights in the sanctuary, both below and above, have now been replaced with high-efficiency LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. A few months ago Herman Hoffman and Darrol Dunham replaced the strips in the lower coves and yesterday the Hoffman Family (Herman, Chris, Lillian, and Mia) replaced the ones up above. The cost of this project was covered by the Jon Thayer Fund. Thanks!
Allie Walters has given the church the artwork pictured above. It’s named “Sanctuary.” In real life, it’s 22″ by 30.” The piece was made with compressed charcoal, 2B Conté (a specific kind of sketching pencil), pencil, and ink wash. It’s wonderful and we’re looking forward to getting it framed and displayed.
Taken from Darrol Dunham’s newsletter article:
Recently I’ve heard people talking about the different things members of this church do out in our community. I wanted to bring to your attention a community service we provide that it is easy to forget about, and that is our building usage. This building and its sanctuary, chapel, kitchens, meeting rooms, assembly halls, and other multipurpose rooms are open and available to all in the community. I think many of us are unaware just how often they are used. I went through and added up all of the meetings and events that occurred here October 9-15, 2016, and how many people were involved in those meetings and events. I think you’ll be surprised at just how many people our “building” serves. In that week alone, this building served over 790 people through providing a place for worship, committee meetings, family events, and other community meetings.
Our vacation week is done, and Jenny and I are getting back to work. But we aren’t getting back to our study in the church building (a pastor’s “office” is traditionally, and more accurately, referred to as a study) because the study is being painted. We’ll be back when the painting is complete, and the fumes have cleared. In the meantime, we’ll be working from home. Feel free to call us on our cell phones (always the best way to get ahold of us.)
Update: We’re back in the office.
As a prelude to laying new carpet and tile, the trustees are having some painting done. As part of that process the wall base has been removed in some rooms, it will be replaced after the carpet and tile have been laid. Thank you for your patience.
In order to help raise funds for new carpet and tile, Dr. Brian Holmes wants to challenge everyone who hasn’t already given to the Flooring Fund to match his gift of $500. You can respond to this challenge by making an offering labeled “Flooring Fund” or sending a check to the church office at 601 N Cedar ST. We’ll let Brian know that you met his challenge.
We’re currently in the process of raising $60,000 for the installation of new carpet and tile throughout the ground level of the church building. Can anyone remember the last time this congregation spent that much money (or more)? Let John know at john@revcollins.com or 620-252-9622.
We do our best to be a friendly church that welcomes everyone who walks in the door, but we’ve recently learned that new people sometimes aren’t sure which door to walk in. To address this problem I’ve added the map below to the church’s website. Take a look at it and let me know if you think anything needs to be changed, added, or removed.
