Dear Strawbridge family:

On May 4, our Charge Conference approved the updated funding plan and authorized proceeding with construction! This is another major step toward realizing our vision to better support our ministries and missions – sufficient adult Sunday School space, a dedicated nursery and improved security for our children’s area, more storage areas for missions, safer choir risers, and new roofs. Follow this link to view the presentation made on May 4 and this link to read the resolutions as approved.

In addition, as a result of a generous offer by an anonymous member to increase the loan to be made on very favorable terms for the base project, the Charge Conference approved $22,000 to restart architectural, cost estimating and permitting work on the second floor of the new building. We now have an opportunity to finish the second floor together with the first floor – providing new gathering and classroom space for our youth! This will also free up existing space for dedicated Missions rooms and additional adult Sunday School rooms.

Given that finishing the second floor of the new building is a significant expansion of scope, we will bring that decision to a Church Conference in July for approval prior to proceeding with construction. We anticipate being able to catch up with the base project, avoiding about $100,000 in re-mobilization/overhead costs, future cost escalation and disruption from future construction in the new building after we occupy the first floor.

Praise God – He is enabling us to increase our contribution to His Kingdom! Watch for information regarding a ground-breaking celebration for the new building in late-August.

Our Architectural and Engineering Committee Chair, Bill Koerner, will be happy to answer any questions you may have. You can reach him via email here.

Peace and blessings,

The Embrace the Spirit Team

Strawbridge UMC