Dear Strawbridge family:

As the new building takes shape, anticipation grows for the day we can increase our ministries and missions by: 

• growing more disciples through added or renovated children’s/youth/adult classrooms and meeting spaces
• supporting young family attendance through dedicated nurseries
• further enabling participation of persons with physical disabilities and neurodivergence through updated REC bathrooms and a sensory room
• improving security for children’s Sunday School and BBLC
• facilitating mission activities through added work and storage spaces.

As God has placed these aspirations on our hearts, you are invited to help embed them into the building itself. On Sunday, December 14, between services and after the 11:05 am service, the congregation will have an opportunity to write personally meaningful scripture, prayers, hopes and aspirations related to the building on the columns, beams, and inner walls. These markings will be a lasting testimony, in permanent marker that will remain inside the finished walls.

To date, the project remains within budget and on schedule for the May 2026 opening of the new building, with renovation of the children’s areas scheduled for the summer. We are thankful for the faithful fulfillment of gifts to the capital program - $2.4 of the $3.4 M pledged last year has been collected through October, taking us well on our way through the 3-year capital campaign. As expenditures rise with progress, we hope to keep up this pace – please consider a December payment against your Embrace the Spirit pledge that may be attractive from a year-end tax standpoint. Contact John Reidy at the church office for information on alternate giving methods such as appreciated securities or a qualified charitable distribution from your retirement account.

Those who have joined Strawbridge after the capital campaign, or now find themselves in a better financial position, are invited to join in support for the project with their gifts. All incremental gifts will reduce the otherwise necessary debt. Gifts may be made via check (designated for the capital campaign) or online via our Embrace the Spirit Capital Campaign Giving Page (Vanco). 

As always, Bill Koerner, Project Manager, will be happy to answer your questions via email at bill.koerner@gmail.com.

Peace and blessings,

The Embrace the Spirit Team

Strawbridge UMC