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Honoring the Past - Building the Future

Captital Appeal Update Letter

Parishioners of St. Paul’s – Greetings,

We write with an update on St. Paul’s Capital Appeal: our work and accomplishments to date, an idea of our plans for the conclusion of the Appeal, and an invitation to begin or continue contributing your “time, talent, and treasure” to this ministry.

The Capital Appeal began more than 3 years ago, when Vestry committed to the project, appointed us as co-chairs, and, after extensive research, hired a consultant to advise us.  Of course, the idea of an appeal had been a subject of consideration for years.  The goal was to raise funds for the renovation of the parish house and the rectory.  We had recently redecorated the Lichtenberger Room, but all the other spaces were in serious need of new vision, reorganization and rehabilitation.  We all suspected, but did not know for sure, that the infrastructures of both buildings might need attention and we were right.  The building of a columbarium in the chapel was included under the umbrella of the Appeal, as was the landscaping of the grounds.

St Paul’s was lucky in its choice of a consultant.  Kairos provided Renee Liabraaten to us.  Renee is a Lutheran priest and a skilled collaborator.    She guided us through a thoughtful and inspiring process of envisioning our goals, and finding ways to bring parishioners together in dreaming, hoping, daring and committing to the future of St. Paul’s.  Our theme became “Honoring the Past – Building the Future”.

We worked with Renee and our architect/parishioner, Brett Donham through the spring, summer and fall of 2007, formally launching the 3 year Appeal in December, 2007.

The estimated achievable goal of $450,000 was happily surpassed by pledges of almost $600,000.  The vestry also committed funds from the endowment toward the work.  Due to the economic downturn of 2008, the draw from the endowment was reduced to matching funds and new plans were finalized reflecting a reduced budget of $1.2 million.

If you walk through the spaces in the parish hall, and take a look at the chapel columbarium and rectory, you can see our beautiful new environment.  What cannot be seen, but may be felt is the leap of faith we took as a community preparing for the retirement of our rector and associate rector, a search for our new rector, severe financial challenges and the prospect of unsettling renovation.  What cannot be seen, but may be felt, is the detailed, extensive, patient work of our architects at Donham & Sweeney, the Building Committee, the Vestry and the Wardens.  What cannot be seen, but may be imagined, are the countless ways so many people have contributed their time, talents and treasure to this endeavor.

The three year Appeal ends in December of this year.  To date, we have already received almost $490,000 of our pledged funds.  There are more needs: new work to be done and new furnishings to be purchased.  We invite you to use the time remaining in the Appeal to consider making a contribution if you haven’t already.  If you have made a pledge, please complete it and consider whether an increase might be possible at this time.

We will be holding a celebration in December to commemorate the end of the Appeal, when we are joined by Bishop Bud Cederholm.  We welcome and invite your participation in the planning and execution of this gala!  We hope you will join us in making it a thoughtful and fitting conclusion to years of hard work and splendid results.

Below is a participation form that we ask you to complete and place in the offering plate or return to the parish office.  As always, feel free to contact either of us any time with your thoughts.  Thank you for your support,

In Faith,

Nancy Madden & Betsy Munzer Co-Chairs

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For environmental purposes, we are combining documents.  Please detach on dotted line or put this entire page in the enclosed envelope and place it in the plate on Sunday.  Mailing to the St. Paul’s Office also works.

I/We would like more information about the Capital Appeal; please contact us.

I/We would like to make a Capital Appeal Pledge of $______________

I/We would like to increase our Capital Appeal Pledge by $______________

I/We would like to join the team planning for the Capital Appeal Closing Celebration in December.

I/We would like to share some thoughts with you on this:

Name/s

Street Address

City/State/Zip

Telephone

Email

 

Nancy and Betsy want to thank you for your thoughtful consideration of the CAPITAL needs at St. Paul’s Church.

 

 

 

St. Paul’s Capital Appeal Thanks You!

We continue to give thanks for everyone who has contributed to the St. Paul’s Capital Appeal, whether by giving time, treasure, or in many cases, both. The Appeal is an outstanding, ongoing community effort for current and future generations of St. Paul’s parishioners.  Praise be to God for the will and the means to preserve and enhance our buildings so we may better do God’s work on earth, from the corner of Aspinwall Avenue and St. Paul’s Street, here in Brookline.

Pledges and Receipts

As of December 31, 2009, St. Paul’s Capital Appeal has received pledges of $591,758, and has received a total of $457,970.39.  Our 3-year Appeal started in December, 2007.  We look forward to its’ successful conclusion in December, 2010.

What is going on with the Appeal?

Many important events have taken place over the last year.  The renovations to the Parish House and Rectory were completed.  Our new Rector, Jeffrey Mello, arrived in August, and was installed in October.  Jeff and his family, Paul and Ardani, moved into the Rectory in November.  Our congregation consists of many new faces.  In many ways, we have been made anew – buildings, Rector, and people of St. Paul’s.

In the face of such historic and invigorating changes, the Capital Appeal may seem to have faded into memory.  What remains to be done?

We hope to receive some new pledges, see original pledges fulfilled, and have some existing pledges increased.  We also plan to celebrate our achievements, follow through on memorials (many gave in memory of, or in thanksgiving for, named individuals), and acknowledge naming opportunities.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

  • If you haven’t made a pledge yet, please consider making one now.
  • If you need to revise your commitment, or put it on a different time frame, please let one of us know.
  • If you are able to increase your pledge, please do!
As always, feel free to contact either of your Capital Appeal Co-Chairs, Betsy Munzer and Nancy Madden, with your ideas, comments and questions.
 

Capital Appeal Background

Cross in Chapel made from stained glass destroyed in 1976 fire
The Capital Appeal campaign has raised over $600,000 in pledge commitments as of January 2008 from its November 2007 start. Of the projects described below, the Columbarium has been beautifully installed in the Chapel, and was completed under budget! The Capital Appeal Committee works closely with the Building Committee on finalizing plans for the renovation of the Parish House and the Rectory.

Capital Appeal Projects

We had three specific goals in mind: 1) to build a columbarium, 2) to revitalize the rectory, and 3) to renovate the parish house.

A Columbarium Ministry has been under the careful consideration of the Vestry and the Columbarium Committee for more than a year. The committee’s recommendation to the Vestry, supported by a design by Brett Donham, architect and parishioner, was to build the columbarium in the Chapel arch opposite the hanging cross. The arch is filled with a framework containing niches. At the same time, the chapel space has been reconfigured to support the dual functions of worship and columbarium space, and later, the entryway will be re-conceived to reflect the spirit of the Chapel. A loan from the endowment was approved by the Vestry, to be repaid from the proceeds of the Capital Appeal. This has allowed the work in the chapel to be completed during the summer of 2007.

The impact on the Rectory of many years of deferred maintenance has been carefully evaluated. Improvements needed include bringing all systems up to the building code, improving energy efficiency, repainting walls, ceilings and trim, refinishing floors, and updating the kitchen and baths.

The Parish House renovations are still under consideration. Discussions at the 2007 Annual Meeting, and by Vestry, clergy, staff, and lay leaders who use the spaces, have given us this list of desired improvements, including:

  • Additional meeting space
  • Reconfigured office and restroom space
  • Reconfigured vesting room for clergy, choir and acolytes
  • Safe, usable storage space
  • Enhanced middle room and choir room
  • Updated kitchen
  • Refurbished Sunday School and Pre-School areas
  • Planned spaces for activities
  • Removal of collections of unused “stuff”

    •  

Development of Feasibility Study for Capital Appeal

St. Paul’s engaged Kairos and Associates to conduct a study during April-July 2007 to determine parish willingness to engage in the new ministry and renovations as well as its ability to fund it. The consultant held confidential interviews with 19 people and conducted three Focus Groups on May 20-23, 2007. A total of 18 people participated in the Focus Groups. A specific format was followed for each interview and Focus Group to gather quantifiable and comparable data in the form of advice, perceptions, opinions and other pertinent information. The entire parish was invited to participate in the Feasibility Study process by completing a 35-question Survey that was distributed before worship on the weekend of June 3. A total of 62 surveys were completed and tabulated.

The complete findings, including results of the interviews, focus groups, and survey, and its recommendations to move forward can be found in the Feasibility Study dated July 8, 2007.

The Feasibility Study recommended a capital appeal goal of $500,000. The Building Committee, after much cutting, reduced the minimum amount needed for the columbarium, rectory, and parish house from $1.6 million to $800,000. The Vestry accepted the $800,000 as the Capital Appeal goal.

The Capital Appeal received commitments for over $600,000, 20% more than the consultant thought possible. In February, 2008 the Vestry directed the Building Committee to expand the range of options and funding mechanisms to investigate so the final result will best meet the long term needs of the parish.