Capital Campaign Announcement
Alive Together in Christ: Loving, Growing, & Serving
October 10, 2019
Dear Friends in Christ,
Over a year ago, FUMC Valdosta began preliminary efforts, through our Board of Trustees, to assess the roof system and other related structural elements of our sanctuary and Strickland building. What initiated these efforts was water entering through our roof system and seeping into wood and walls thus threatening the overall integrity of our sacred spaces. Spaces devoted to sharing and proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ through worship, children, youth, adult, local, and global ministries.
Today, our beloved sanctuary and Strickland building are in critical need of roof system replacement / repair and other related structural elements such as numerous windows, including our stained-glass windows.
By now, many of you know our church leadership has been considering a capital campaign to raise the significant funds our needed work requires. The decision to have a capital campaign has been prayed over, and we believe this step of faith is necessary to the growth and success of our church’s purpose. FUMC Valdosta has been successful with similar campaigns in the past, and we believe a capital campaign to address the aforementioned issues is the right thing to do, at the right time, and will improve our ability to worship God, welcome guests, and serve others. The time has come – for us, for our children, and for our children’s children – for generations to come. Let’s answer the call.
So, what is the next step?
Our Nominating and Leadership Committee in coordination with our Church Council and annual Charge Conference will appoint a capital campaign team in the next few weeks. The purpose of this team will be to collaborate with our existing leadership structure in preparing, planning, communicating and implementing a 3-Phase Campaign as follows:
Phase 1: Needs Assessment (October 20, 2019 – February 23, 2020)
(forming our campaign team, identifying needs & dreams, getting estimates)
Phase 2: Alive Together in Christ (March 1, 2020 – April 5, 2020)
(campaign’s public kickoff, prayerfully considering our gifts and pledges as we move toward celebration Sunday on April 5, 2020)
Phase 3: Loving, Growing, & Serving (April 12, 2020 and beyond)
(putting the gifts to use in the various construction and mission projects furthering our children, youth, and adult ministries)
My letter to you today is strictly introductory in purpose. The next communication to you will be from our campaign team and will provide more details. As you know, your generosity makes a big difference in advancing FUMC's purpose. It’s an exciting time, and I’m sure you have many questions. In upcoming communications, as you prayerfully consider your commitment, these are a few questions we will answer:
It is a privilege to serve our Lord in partnership with you.
With Every Blessing,
Whit Byram, Pastor
Mary Gooding, Co-Lay Leader
Tom Gooding, Finance Chair & Co-Lay Leader
Margaret McCranie, Lay Delegate to Annual Conference
Rob Stalvey, Board of Trustees Chair
Lee Tarpley, Staff Parish Relations Chair
Hansell Watt, Church Council Chair
Over a year ago, FUMC Valdosta began preliminary efforts, through our Board of Trustees, to assess the roof system and other related structural elements of our sanctuary and Strickland building. What initiated these efforts was water entering through our roof system and seeping into wood and walls thus threatening the overall integrity of our sacred spaces. Spaces devoted to sharing and proclaiming the love of Jesus Christ through worship, children, youth, adult, local, and global ministries.
Today, our beloved sanctuary and Strickland building are in critical need of roof system replacement / repair and other related structural elements such as numerous windows, including our stained-glass windows.
By now, many of you know our church leadership has been considering a capital campaign to raise the significant funds our needed work requires. The decision to have a capital campaign has been prayed over, and we believe this step of faith is necessary to the growth and success of our church’s purpose. FUMC Valdosta has been successful with similar campaigns in the past, and we believe a capital campaign to address the aforementioned issues is the right thing to do, at the right time, and will improve our ability to worship God, welcome guests, and serve others. The time has come – for us, for our children, and for our children’s children – for generations to come. Let’s answer the call.
So, what is the next step?
Our Nominating and Leadership Committee in coordination with our Church Council and annual Charge Conference will appoint a capital campaign team in the next few weeks. The purpose of this team will be to collaborate with our existing leadership structure in preparing, planning, communicating and implementing a 3-Phase Campaign as follows:
Phase 1: Needs Assessment (October 20, 2019 – February 23, 2020)
(forming our campaign team, identifying needs & dreams, getting estimates)
Phase 2: Alive Together in Christ (March 1, 2020 – April 5, 2020)
(campaign’s public kickoff, prayerfully considering our gifts and pledges as we move toward celebration Sunday on April 5, 2020)
Phase 3: Loving, Growing, & Serving (April 12, 2020 and beyond)
(putting the gifts to use in the various construction and mission projects furthering our children, youth, and adult ministries)
My letter to you today is strictly introductory in purpose. The next communication to you will be from our campaign team and will provide more details. As you know, your generosity makes a big difference in advancing FUMC's purpose. It’s an exciting time, and I’m sure you have many questions. In upcoming communications, as you prayerfully consider your commitment, these are a few questions we will answer:
- What exactly is up with the roof?How old is the roof system?
- What are the roof related structural elements to be replaced / repaired?
- What needs to be replaced?Can’t we just patch or fix the problem areas?
- Do we have any idea what this roof and related projects will cost?
- Have we considered replacing the roof with a metal roof?
- When will construction be started and completed for the various projects?
- What happens if we don’t meet our campaign fundraising goal?
- How long is the pledge commitment?When can I start giving to the campaign?
- Would a gift to the capital campaign be in addition to what we’re already giving?
- Can gifts be made from investment accounts without taxes being deducted?
- What is the likelihood that another capital campaign will be announced?
It is a privilege to serve our Lord in partnership with you.
With Every Blessing,
Whit Byram, Pastor
Mary Gooding, Co-Lay Leader
Tom Gooding, Finance Chair & Co-Lay Leader
Margaret McCranie, Lay Delegate to Annual Conference
Rob Stalvey, Board of Trustees Chair
Lee Tarpley, Staff Parish Relations Chair
Hansell Watt, Church Council Chair