News: October 4, 2024

Cover October 6, 2024
Dear Members and Friends,

Hello kind, gentle and loving fellow church members! The Renew and Rebuild Committee would like to provide another update concerning our progress rolling out projects related to Capital Campaign funds.

This past Sunday, the new campus playground officially opened. The children were vibrating with excitement just before the door to the play area opened. As they attacked the play equipment, the metaphor that works for me is a swarm of ants attacking a dropped sweet treat. We have got to figure out how to harness children’s squeals as electrical energy to augment our solar panels.

Other more noticeable Capital Campaign campus improvements include a new water station on the third floor and the removal of three inoperable water fountains and a new handrail near the sanctuary organ for assistance coming down the chancel steps. Projects where a vendor has been selected and, when applicable, contract completion is in progress include: a new office telephone system, a new digital sign replacing the plywood sign on Fannin, and a new deck covering on the third floor terrace to stop the incessant leaks damaging the ceiling tiles in all three rooms directly below. Smaller completed projects are repaired electrical outlets in Channing Hall and a new Automated External Defibrillator (AED) replacing a very old model on the first floor.

Two larger projects in process requiring professional consulting and are, therefore, on a longer timeline are the beautification of the grounds along Southmore and Fannin and a redesigned staff office with new furniture and storage and new storage solutions for the nursery area.

One additional item to mention is the saga of the front garden disruption. To refresh everyone’s memory, the reason for the “mess” is the discovery of two water leaks at the campus water meter when intending to install a proper water cutoff valve. This involves the City of Houston and our contractor singing from the same hymn book (notice the shameless tie in…) It is getting heightened attention and we are expecting better progress very soon.

It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway…thank you all for contributing to the Capital Campaign and I hope the visible and not so visible project completions reinforce your previous reasons to give. More projects to come!

Michael Morrison
Chair,
Renew and Rebuild Committee