Dear Friends in Christ,
Grace is a mess right now. And that is good news.
You will see what I mean when you come to church on Sunday. You might instinctively try to
turn into the parking lot before you realize that it is closed off because it is being repaved. Or
you might notice that all of the furniture in the Saint Mark Room has been moved
around—because it got a fresh coat of paint earlier this week.
There are signs of work just about everywhere in the building. It can feel a little frustrating if
you are having to make your way over from the Food Star parking lot or dodging yellow caution
tape. But this mess is a sign of health. It is the outward and visible evidence of the inward and
spiritual renewal that is underway at Grace.
I want to make sure you know two things about our facilities right now:
1. This summer’s work is not an isolated effort. Staff and volunteers (notably Director of
Operations Kevin Hamilton and Junior Warden Alison Campbell) are always aware of
and responsive to the needs of this facility. But we are also thinking ahead. Our
treasurer Evan Robinson, together with Ford Chinworth, Kristine Hesse, and others, are
at work on a reserve study. This long-range plan looks at the expected lifespan of our
major systems, the age of the systems, and the projected replacement costs. Once it is
complete, this reserve study will allow us to budget effectively and plan proactively.
2. The care of our building—like so much of what we do—is made possible by generosity.
Fred and Liz Saalfeld years ago named Grace as a beneficiary in their will, and their gift is
funding the parking lot work. (As a side note, there was no way they could have
foreseen the necessity of livestreaming—and yet it was also their gift that made our
livestreaming system possible.)
Parking lots are not glamourous. But I find this one beautiful—and not just because it will soon
look really nice. I look out our front door and see evidence of good stewardship and
vitality—good that has been, and good that is to come.
Yours in Christ,
Anne+