Sunday, January 12, everyone is welcome to join in the celebration of the end of our three-year Capital Campaign. The campaign has fulfilled its goal of replenishing the church endowment, refreshing the commitment to youth scholarships for service work, and reviving and restoring the building and grounds in many ways—most significantly deepening our commitment to making the church fully net-zero in energy consumption. Besides the minimal waste and maximum recycling program, the church added solar panels and a geo-thermal heating system, a new roof and improved roof and window insulation. Both fellowship halls have been repainted and the Houghton Room was remodeled with new cupboards and coverings for the furniture.
After 10am worship service the congregation and friends from the community will gather to watch a video featuring the many changes and to thank the many donors and committee members who have made all this possible. It is a great gift and satisfaction that we have now received more than the $250,000 goal and are nearing completion of the many projects taken on over the past three years. Tom and Connie Green, the chairs of the campaign, and Patricia and David Williams, the outside consultants who helped design and initiate the campaign, are to be vigorously thanked. A potluck luncheon will take place after the service, with folks bringing their own plates and utensils, in keeping with the ongoing energy saving initiative.
The 10am worship will provide a spiritual prelude to the celebration with a focus with a focus on the story of Jesus turning water into wine. Rev Lise Sparrow will offer reflections and the choir, under the direction of Peter Amidon, will offer three anthems: “Welcome Holy Spirit”, “He Turned the Water into Wine” by Johnny Cash, and “Thanks a Lot”,a Raffi favorite rewritten for the day. Attention in prayer will also be made to the earthquake in Puerto Rico, the fires in Australia, and concerns for loved ones in the congregation.