7 from Kevin - August 2023
Kevin Jeske-Polyak • July 31, 2023
- The cost of the new Parish Hall Seating was approximately $19,800. The new chairs are are larger, lighter in weight, and more easily stackable. They will contribute to the expanded use of our gathering space and provide enhanced comfort during meetings and social events. Your financial gift to assist in covering the cost of these improvements will help to ensure the continued success of our ministry for many years to come.
- The
cost of the new
Nave Seating was approximately
$69,000. Our new
cathedral chairs will offer the same distinguished look of pews, but will
provide increased seating flexibility,
improved accessibility, and
enhanced comfort during all services & community gatherings. Your financial gift to assist in covering the cost of these improvements will help to ensure the continued success of our ministry for many years to come.
- The cost of the Columbarium Expansion was approximately $11,000. It will help to preserve the enduring legacy of church family members by doubling its capacity from 48 niches to 96 niches. It will also contribute to the overall beauty of our memorial garden. Your financial gift to assist in covering the cost of these improvements will help to ensure the continued success of our ministry for many years to come.
- The cost of the Elevator Installation, (including labor), was approximately $105,500. This will increase space utilization, improve accessibility for mobility challenged neighbors, and prevent slips & falls that might otherwise occur on the stairs. Your financial gift to assist in covering the cost of these improvements will help to ensure the continued success of our ministry for many years to come.
- The cost of the pressure washing and repairs to the Stucco & Sidewalks was approximately $8,700. In addition to the incredibly improved appearance, it will help to extend the life of these structures and improve pest control. Your financial gift to assist in covering the cost of these improvements will help to ensure the continued success of our ministry for many years to come.
- The cost of the new double-pane Insulated Windows & Door Seals installed in the Parish House, (including labor), was approximately $144,700. These improvements will increase energy efficiency, reduce electric & gas utilities, and improve pest control. Your financial gift to assist in covering the cost of these improvements will help to ensure the continued success of our ministry for many years to come.
- The
cost of the new
HVAC, Kitchen & Plumbing Upgrades, (including labor), was approximately
$830,000. These improvements will improve equipment reliability,
increase energy efficiency,
reduce electric & gas utilities, and improve flow of work & storage capacity, and improve safety, cleanliness & sanitation. Your financial gift to assist in covering the cost of these improvements will help to ensure the continued success of our ministry for many years to come.
Friends and Neighbors, This Sunday is Mother's Day and also Good Shepherd Sunday. Both celebrations have been shaped and changed over the years. Good Shepherd Sunday got the name as we do read the passage from John 10 about Jesus the Good Shepherd, and Mother's Day has roots going back to Mothering Sunday in England. The establishment of Mother's Day in the United States was motivated by the recognition of the work of Ann Reeves Jarvis, Julia Ward Howe, and Anna M. Jarvis. These women worked for sanitary health care for soldiers and were advocates for peace during the Civil War. They imagined a union of mothers who would call for peace because mothers knew so deeply the loss of their children to war. Mothering and shepherding call for similar qualities of protection and care.
We continue celebrating Easter as we move into a month full of celebrations and transitions. I am looking forward to just hanging out with folks this Saturday night at our spaghetti dinner. You can find details about that in this email. Please mark your calendars for the annual Justice Knox Celebration on May 19 from 6:30 PM- 8:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church. We will have dinner and share stories about the next steps. You will also be asked to consider making an investment in the work of Justice Knox. I hope that you will consider giving to this important ministry.
Alleluia. Christ is risen. We celebrated the resurrection with so much joy this past Sunday. The Easter feast continues for 50 days. Thank you to everyone who made Holy Week and Easter Sunday so special. You helped people feel welcomed to this place where we proclaim the welcoming love of Christ in word, deed, song, Easter egg hunts, and something good to eat. We welcome others because we have known the love of Christ and want to share it.
Friends and Neighbors, As we journey through Holy Week, I encourage you to pause and consider those events that lead us to the joyful celebration of Easter. May that also be reflected in our lives. We walk through hard things and know that God is with us. We hold to the hope that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Friends and Neighbors, As the weather teases us with warm days followed by chilly ones, we enter Holy Week. You have probably heard me encouraging folks to experience the journey to the cross and the grave so we might celebrate the resurrection with that insight. God has shared this human experience and is with us in the darkness and the light. Our liturgies of Holy Week take us on that journey with Jesus and remind us that God is indeed with us on our own journeys.