And here we are again – back into another program year! Sort of. Most activities will begin later into September: choirs will begin practice on Sept. 18 at Immanuel, a Bible study led by Jeremy Ch will begin the 19th (also at Immanuel), and I’m considering offering a weekly study either on Wednesdays during the day or Tuesday evenings, meeting at the office trailer.
I’m leaning toward a study using a book to help us wrestle a bit with what it means to “be church” in a social context that is much different from that in which many of us had our faith and expectations of church formed. If you are intrigued by the idea of shaping how we will take on whatever it is God is calling us into, please let me know (really)! I enjoy and learn from studying and discussing topics or the Bible with others, but it’s difficult to guess what will suit you.
I can’t sign off without providing a bit of building commentary. Sometimes words of wisdom come from scripture, and sometimes, surprisingly, they can be revealed in a Dove wrapper. Last week I read these words I hope provide encouraging reminder: “Small steps can still get you where you need to go.” I don’t know about you, but it sometimes feels to me as if progress in our recovery from the water intrusion event of April 25 is moving very slowly. And yet one of the restoration-experienced folk we’ve been talking to, recently exclaimed that “It’s only been four months!” It’s a matter of perspective. In these past four months we’ve taken many small steps that have moved us along, sometimes farther than we recognize.
Although it’s “not now”, we do have a target date now to receive a Phase One report from our recently engaged Architect and Structural Engineer: shortly after October 18. These consultants will spend the next few weeks looking more closely at all of our building’s structure, then will use what they find to determine both the scope of work necessary, and the flow of how that work will take. The discovery phase of this work will involve visits on site and conversations with City officials, and after consultation with the Council and Restoration Team, create plans in Phase Two to submit for permitting.
We anticipate they will provide a summary report to the entire congregation, and answer your questions between Phase One and Two.
We are on our way!
Pastor Jean
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