Very Slowly . . .

Very, very slowly, but at this point it seems unavoidable.

Even worse there are no pictures to send!

We are now waiting for the insurance company to approve the roofing contractor. Until that happens “work” cannot progress. In the meantime the cleaning up process has gone as far as possible until the charred ceiling beams are removed.

We have initial estimates on the damage to the vestments and altar linens, and the total is well over $50,000. As you know many of these items are antique and irreplaceable. When we get a final figure we will share it with you. The good news is that a very large portion of the vestments we salvageable.

I want to thanks the lady’s of the Altar Guild and the others who ironed, mended and help the hundreds and hundreds of pieces of linen, lace and vestments. I also want to thank the lady’s of the Dorcas Society who came to me to offer make a backdrop for the altar in the school cafeteria. It has been wonderful to see people step up and get involved.

In cooperation with Service Masters, we have determined that as much of the stains have been removed from the brick as possible. We do not feel that it is sufficient, and we are examining our options to make sure that the interior does not have any charred brick.

We have bids or estimates for:

1. New lights – something not covered by insurance

2. New Sound system – covered

3. New Electrical system – mostly covered

We are expecting bids on a new A/C unit for the church and other code upgrades. We should have them from the architects this week.

We are also consulting with the architects and designers on the materials for the floor covering. A portion of this will also be covered by insurance, but are also looking to fix some of the problems that pre-existed in the sanctuary floor.

The designers and the committee are also looking at the back wall of the sanctuary. We will make some suggestions to warm up that area. We should have some initial ideas to present in the near future.

One of the committee’s tasks as we began this project was to see if there were any other improvements or additions that we wanted to make while the church was closed. This seems to the time for dreaming. It has always been generally agreed that the entry way to the TOO SMALL. The architects have made an initial proposal and the projected price was smaller than the committee expected. As soon as they give us a rendering of their idea, we will share it with you.

I think you will be excited by the possibilities! Thank you for your continued prayers and support during this difficult time.