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"The Church Together" |
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Location: Blogs Brad's BlogMid-Week Missive |
 | | Posted by: Brad Miller | 3/17/2009 10:00 AM | Greetings on this beautiful day,
Last week I had lunch with someone who has been visiting the church for a while. He sat in on the board meeting after worship on February 28th to learn about possible building renovations and debt reduction and when I asked what he though he replied, “You know, in the past when I heard the word ‘church’ I would think of the building. Since coming to Brookhaven, I now know that the real ‘church’ is the people that make it up.”
Of course, he was right, it was just sort of odd that it came up when were talking about a meeting that specifically addressed some concerns for our physical plant! And he wasn’t trying to say that the building wasn’t important or didn’t matter. I think he was saying that the board meeting personified what it meant to be the church: thoughtful people, all working in the best interest of the ministry of Jesus Christ, all striving to find the best answers to questions, no matter if the topic was spiritual or temporal. And I agree.
At the board meeting (which may have been the most well attended board meeting in the history of BCC – we have our statisticians looking into it) we heard a presentation on behalf of the Building Renovation committee that has been hard at work for almost a year seeking solid answers to the question: “Do we have a plan for the upkeep and renovation for our physical plant?” The short answer when we started was “no.” The short answer now is “YES!” The plan prioritizes what needs to be done to make sure our physical plant is in good repair and useful to our ministry goals. I won’t recount all the details of the five tiered plan,, but what the board unanimously recommended to the congregation (and which the congregational subsequently voted unanimously to approve) will stand us in good stead as we seek to be good stewards of this facility for years to come. The parking lot will be updated very soon, and we are continuing our exploration of whether we go forward with renovations to the sanctuary and narthex in the near future. Other building issues will be dealt with at a later time.
In the very near future, you will receive, either via e-mail or in your mailbox, a letter outlining the proposal to move forward with sanctuary renovations and a plan to finance it. That letter will serve as the opening of our one year debt reduction pledge campaign. (Normally this would be a three year campaign, but given the uncertainty of the economy and other issues, it was decided that we go with a one year campaign to assist all of us in our decision making.) We need you to prayerfully consider making a pledge to our ongoing debt reduction effort and to consider making a one time monetary gift to go toward addressing the costs of renovating our sanctuary and narthex. Whatever you can give - large or small - to promoting the ministry of Brookhaven Christian Church will be put to good use. When the campaign is over on March 22nd, the executive team and the building renovation team will look at the results as compared to 3 benchmarks:
1. How close did we come to underwriting our $51,000 mortgage payments for the next year (which must be paid even if we do no renovations at all)?
2. How close did we come to our expanded target of 50 givers to debt reduction at BCC?
3. How close did we come to our one-time gift goal of $50,000?
When the answers to those questions are known, we will make a decision as to what step to take next.
My lunch companion was right: the church is the people, and the church moves forward when each of us take the time to pray and meditate on the challenges before us. The church moves forward when, together, we work to achieve our goals. The church moves forward when we realize that God’s purposes must be at the heart of all our decisions. We are, after all, the church.
Watch for the letter from our stewardship committee. Then, decide how you can help and make your pledge. And then watch where the church is headed!
For an updated prayer list and list of upcoming events, please go to www.brookhavenchristian.org
For your prayer list:
Jim Sosebee, former minister at BCC, recently celebrated his 90th birthday!
Jim, Mowrey, back to work as BCC Choir Director after a month long convalescence following knee replacement surgery.
Carol Ann Womack, as we thank her for filling in so ably in Jim Mowrey’s absence. Thank you Carol Ann!
Upcoming Events
A note from the planners of this Saturday’s Spring Tea:
“We would like to invite everyone to participate in the ‘7th Annual BCC Afternoon Tea’ this Saturday, March 7th, from 2-4pm in the BCC Fellowship Hall. All members, visitors, friends, acquaintances are welcome. There will be glorious food, music, and fellowship. Valet and childcare for nursery only will be provided.
Tickets will be available at the door or from one of our talented hostesses - Lynda Anderson, Mary Ann Brooks, Daonne Caldwell, Monica Chipman, Ruth Dunker, Crystal Evans, Cindy Fey, Margaret Forstner, Sokunthea Huy, Evelyn Lester, Martha Low, Marilyn Martin, Carol Miller, Judy Mowrey, Beth Sheffer, Lonnie Smith, Kerry Whatley, Ammarie Wilson, and Carol Ann Womack”
A note from Miki Morgan to all the ladies of BCC:
“We are trying to get the ladies night out going again and are wondering if you would be interested. If so we will be having dinner next Tuesday, March 10th @ 6:30 p.m. at China Inn @ 5470 Peachtree Industrial Blvd Chamblee, Ga 30341. Please let me know at mikiandblake@aol.com by Sunday, March 8th if you would like to join us so that I can call and make the reservations. Thanks! Miki
If you would like to support David Chiem and his mission trip to New York City, please put a check in the offering plate this Sunday. Make it out to BCC and be sure to write “David Chiem” on the memo line.
How about a good movie? “Faith in Film” is coming back! On Saturday April 18th, at 7:00 p.m. we will gather in the Haynie Theatre Room at BCC to view “Fireproof” an inspirational and moving film that has been called “a powerful tale of triumph, honor and forgiveness” that follows a firefighters desire to transform his life and marriage through the healing power of faith, ultimately embracing the firefighters code: “never leave your partner behind.” This is a wonderful movie for married couples and singles alike and all are welcomed.
Don’t forget to bring your canned goods this week as we continue to support the ministry of the Oglethorpe Food Pantry in these difficult economic times. Every can helps!
Finally, if you or your child is considering being baptized, please let me know by return e-mail or give me a call at 404-237-3030, or talk with me on Sunday. We are starting a new Pastor’s Baptism and Membership Class on Sunday March 15th that will culminate with the baptism of those class members who so choose on Easter Sunday, April 12th. All you have to do is let me know!
I hope to see you this Sunday as we celebrate the second Sunday of Lent together. The sermon is titled “Sacred Calling” and the scripture lesson is Mark 8:31-34. Have a great rest of the week.
Be peaceful,
Brad
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