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Information about the Welcome Center Project
Everyone should be able to participate fully.
In order for us to truly live out our mission of love and inclusivity, we need a space that allows everyone to be actively involved—no matter their background, ability, or how they arrive at our doors. The truth is, our hundred-year-old building, with all its history and memories, presents some challenges. And we know that makes some of us feel uncomfortable, disconnected, or even excluded. That’s not the kind of church we want to be.
The current Welcome Center has limited seating, poor acoustics, temperature issues—cold in winter, hot in summer—and limits access to the rest of the building for wheelchair users.
A Welcome Center that's more reflective of who we are,
and what we do.
A More Comfortable Space
Better acoustics, warm in the winter, cool in the summer
Service Experience Continues Farther into the Building
As opposed to our fellowship time being cut short.
Honoring Tradition and Progress
We also know how deeply we all value the memories held within these walls.
Clark & Enersen artistic rendering of the East Entrance
We all value the memories held within these walls.
We understand that all of us have special moments in this space. However, after more than 100 years, we believe it's time for an update. That’s why we’ve brought together a Welcome Center Task Force. This group includes a retired architect and other trusted members of our congregation. Their job is to ensure that any changes we make will honor our history, the people who are here today, and those who will come tomorrow.
Clark & Enersen artistic renderings of the new Welcome Center
Clark & Enersen artistic renderings of the Library ramp
Here’s what we're proposing, and in what order:
Making Our Church Accessible for Everyone
We’re committed to ensuring that each and every person—whether you use a wheelchair, a cane, or come here with kids in tow—can easily come into this space and be fully part of our community.
Opening Up Our Space
It’s time we break down the barriers, both physical and otherwise, that keep us from seeing each other, hearing each other, and welcoming one another fully. We’ll create spaces where all can connect.
Welcoming the Future with Open Doors
Our goal is to ensure that our church isn’t just a place of memories, but a home for future generations to worship, gather, and feel the same love we do.
By taking these steps, we can stop feeling like
there’s something keeping us apart.
We’ll move forward as a more inclusive, more accessible, and more welcoming church community. Together, we can build a space that reflects the love we share and the values we hold dear—today and for generations to come.
Session will vote in the coming months on the project. If approved, the contractor indicated that the tenative time commitment for the project is 4-5 months. They would of course work around our church life as much as possible. The hope is that we'd be able to start construction as early as next year, around Feburary or March.
The schematic budget we recieved from Cheever Construction gives a cost estimate of $400,000-465,000. The Session is still discussing options for funding the project. They are taking into consideration that the church and Foundation both have several million dollars in investments that have grown over the years, given by generous donors over the years with the intent that their gifts be used for the mission and ministry of the church. One option the Session is considering is drawing from the growth of the church or foundation funds, while still preserving both the principal and the bulk of the growth that we have enjoyed over the years. In short - Session is looking at a mix of special gifts, donations from the congregation, and using some of the accumulated capital gains from Church and Foundation funds.
Our hundred-year-old building has limitations that can make some people feel disconnected or excluded. We want to create a more welcoming and accommodating space, ensuring that no one feels left out or unable to participate fully in our services and events. Planned improvements include better accessibility in the East Enterance, Library, and Courtyard (e.g., ramps, wider doorways), enhanced acoustics, and improved climate control.
Share your thoughts through this 3-question survey by Nov 10.
We view the Welcome Center project as a positive step in addressing both our current needs and future opportunities. However, no final decision has been made. We are committed to having one more forum with the congregation on Novemeber 17 to gather input and ensure all voices are heard before moving forward. This conversation is vital to our discernment process, and we look forward to engaging with the congregation as we approach this important decision. Your voices are absolutely essential in shaping the future of this space. And please, join us for on November 17 and we’ll talk through this process together.