There's a Hole in the Roof !!
An important message from Trustee President Don Harris
The last storms have finally created a leak in our roof that makes it necessary to replace the roof over the pantry area just off Backman Hall. On January 4, 2021 the kitchen crew was preparing the lunch for the Monday Feeding Program when water came flooding into the pantry area. People could not get enough buckets and pails to catch all the water. The floor was soaked and later buckled up and many tiles came loose.
See the photos showing some of the damage and the temporary patch.
I asked for bids from three contractors and advised the Church Council and Trustees. All agreed that the roof replacement was necessary. We have contracted with Crowell Quality Construction who gave the lowest bid of $17, 500.00. The other bids were $26,339.00 and $32,509.00.
This replacement and repair is far from over. All of the bids will require more cost of labor and materials for damage that has not yet been discovered. The bids do not cover repairing and painting the walls, nor do they cover replacing damaged flooring.
So far the ceiling drywall has been removed in the pantry and Backman Hall where water damage occurred. A temporary patch has been placed on the roof and some of the damaged flooring has been removed. I authorized $1,800 for drywall removal and the temporary roof patch and an additional $400 was authorized for flooring removal from our Major Maintenance Fund.
The roof patch was given a good test on 1/22/2021 and the pantry stayed dry. Thanks be to God!
I have signed the $17,500 contract and we will be put on the schedule while the pantry dries out. We will then wait awhile for the dry season to replace the roof. Church Council has asked Finance to establish a Major Maintenance-Roof Repair category on our online giving to receive your donations towards this project. We ask that you consider giving an additional amount for these necessary repairs.
Don Harris, Trustee President
Help Repair the Roof...
Please prayerfully consider giving a special donation for these expensive and necessary repairs.
Click on this link to our online donation page, click donate, and select the category Major Maintenance-Roof Repair.
A Letter from Pastor Mahsea on Dismantling Racism
June 17, 2020
Dear Church Family,
Peace to you:
First, I want to say that I am thankful that we are in community together. I upfront this gratitude because being “in community” in this moment has taken on a new dimension and urgency during these challenging times.
To put it bluntly, there is a lot going on in our country in the aftermath of George Floyd’s killing. This, along with other similar situations, has not only initiated a call for police reform, but there has been an increased focus on transforming the institutional racism that has undergird the American project since its inception. These conversations are admittedly difficult. To many, racism has simply been perceived as a personal prejudice or an animus against another based on race or color. However, the form of racism that is being called to be addressed and dismantled is far more complex. It requires more time and intentionality to understand both how we have all gone through a process of racialization, and how these social categorizations have been systematized in our power structures over time.
As a church, both locally and as a denomination, combating racism is an imperative. The document entitled “United Methodists Against Racism” begins by succinctly stating, “we recognize racism as a sin [and] we commit to challenging unjust systems of power and access.” This document, along with Bishop Carcano's invitation to deeper conversations on the topic through a presentation entitled: “Dismantling Racism: Pressing on to Freedom” on 6/19/20 and a “Service of Lament” on 6/24/20, is available at the below link:
https://www.umc.org/en/how-we-serve/advocating-for-justice/racial-justice/united-against-racism
Lastly, there are many resources that the United Methodist Church recommends that are excellent for increasing one’s understanding and knowledge on the topic of racism. I especially urge you to peruse all the links in the “connect” section, and to watch Robin DiAngelo’s short but excellent and clarifying lecture. It is a good place to start. Direct link: https://www.umc.org/en/content/deconstructing-white-privilege-gcorr or at https://youtu.be/h7mzj0cVL0Q
Again, I am grateful that we are in community with each other, and I am looking forward to the work that we will do together in ending racism. If any of you desire to learn more about this topic and would be willing to take the lead in organizing a study/reflection group, please let me know. Until then, may we all remain prayerful and vigilant to our gospel call, and may we press on in the faith until the Kingdom of God is fully realized for all people.
Blessings, Pastor Mahsea