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Capital Project Update

Dear Friends of St. Paul’s,

Many of you have asked or inquired about the status of our capital projects, now that we have completed our internal fundraising campaign.

The congregation raised 1.8 million dollars for repairs to our historic building. This was an enormous achievement. In addition, we took a thanksgiving offering to serve our neighbors, raising $25,000 to erase medical debt in our local area. Undue estimates that we will erase 3.2 million dollars worth of medical debt in St. Louis, Cook, Lake, Douglas, Carlton and Itasca counties.

We should be very proud of both of these things. And, we also knew when we started this project that our building needed 2.6 million dollars (or more) worth of repair.

As you can imagine, there is a gap between what we raised and what it will cost to do everything we set out to do. The vestry, the capital team, and I have been discussing how to proceed based on congregational priorities and funding availability. I want to share with you, in brief, the different pieces of this puzzle so you can be fully informed of where we currently stand.

The elevator project was of the highest importance, and the project with the lowest cost, coming in at just under $100,000. We signed a contract with our elevator servicer for this work to be completed as soon as possible. There is a lack of qualified technicians available, and our servicer is currently working on an emergency residential project, so we are working as best we can to get firm dates for the work.

The boilers showed their age and their attitude this winter, and so it became necessary to move forward on the boiler replacement and heating control modernization. This project came in higher than expected, at just under $600,000. The vestry voted in May to move forward on this project at the recommendation of the Property Committee. It is set to begin in June and conclude by September 1.

This leaves us with about 1.1 million to work with.

The cost of the organ restoration has increased, and the company we selected in the fall, Berghaus, believes that a satisfactory restoration will cost between 1.4 and 1.5 million. Prices on a project of this size vary before a contract is officially signed, and we are in the process of negotiating some things for a lower cost. This does mean, though, that committing to this project without additional funding, grants or otherwise, would incur significant risk.

The property committee is currently getting clear estimates on the parts of the building that require tuckpointing the most. The internal sanctuary repair is on the back burner for now.

So, the next phase of fundraising is underway. Nancy Schuldt is exploring and applying for grants from places like the Sisler Foundation (an Organ restoration fund) and the Fund for Sacred Places. We are hoping to expand our knowledge of other foundations or philanthropists who may be interested in our projects. If you have ideas or suggestions, the vestry and I are eager to hear them.

Though this isn’t perfect news, consider how much work we have done together in the last year. At this time last year, raising a million dollars felt insurmountable, and by the grace of God, we have far exceeded that. We have also erased millions of dollars of medical debt, living out Jesus' way of generosity even when funds here are tight.

Please know that if you have questions, we would love to discuss this further with you. We want to honor the priorities you have shared and do what is best with what you have committed to your church. Over the summer we will work behind the scenes, and in the fall you can expect to hear more. We still believe that what we set out to do is within reach, though we do need some creative avenues to get there.

Peace,

Maggie

Parish Announcements

For this Week

Wednesday Eucharist

Wednesday Eucharist is at 5:15 pm weekly until Memorial Day.

Learn About Our Faithful Ancestors: Saints for Our Times

May 20:Backpacking with the Saints

Wilderness Hiking as a Spiritual Practice Selected Chapters

To wrap up our series on the saints and to prepare to enjoy the outdoors this summer, we take a look at a spiritual memoir by an author who brought the saints along on his wilderness adventures. We’ll share a PDF copy of the chapter we’d like to discuss ahead of time. Participants can purchase the book and continue reading over the summer.

Blessing of the Port

Thursday, May 14, 5:00 pm

You are invited to the annual Blessing of the Port, at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center and Museum (600 Canal Park Dr, Duluth). Enjoy a self-directed tour of the museum at 4:00 pm, followed by the Blessing of the Port at 5:00 pm. Free. Sponsored by the Twin Ports Ministry to Seafarers.

Altar Guild Meeting

Saturday, May 16, 10:00 am

All members of the Altar Guild are invited to the Spring Meeting in the Parish Hall on May 16. Refreshments will be served.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Saturday, May 16, 2:00-4:00 pm,

St. Andrew's by the Lake, 2802 Minnesota Ave, Duluth

You are invited to the opening reception of an exhibition of works by the late Henry Roberts. This exhibit features Henry's photographs of florals, digitized and enlarged, expressing his appreciation of nature. All pieces are for sale. Proceeds will be donated to the ECMN Migrant Support Fund.

Confirmation Sunday and Art Show

Sunday, May 17, 10:00 am

The Rt. Rev. Craig Loya, X Bishop of ECMN, will celebrate Holy Eucharist, Confirmation, Reception and Reaffirmation with St. Paul’s, Duluth, on Sunday, May 17 at the 10 am service. (No 8 o'clock service on May 17 or 24). The Confirmation Class hosts an art show at Coffee Hour following this service.

Messenger Deadline

Monday, May 18, 8:00 am

Please submit all newsletter items to office@stpaulsduluth.org.

Plant Sale

Saturday, May 23, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

The Outreach Committee will sponsor its second annual plant sale from 10 am to 2 pm. We will set up tables in front of the church on Superior Street. All funds raised will support Laundry Love. Donations of plants or money would be welcomed. Any plants not sold Saturday will be available Sunday after church.

Memorial Day Observed

Monday, May 25

Church Offices will be closed on May 25 in observance of the holiday. Also, we will have limited office coverage from May 26 to June 12 when Rita is on vacation.

Messenger Mailing

Tuesday, May 26, 1:00 pm

Please help fold and label the newsletter. Meet in the Parish Hall.

Graduation Sunday

Sunday, May 31, 10:00 am

St. Paul’s is delighted to honor all students who are graduating this year with a special blessing on May 31. Also, all of our high school seniors are invited to speak at this service. If you have a high school senior, please contact Rita in the Parish Office, 218-724-3535, or office@stpaulsduluth.org to be included. Seniors who may not wish to speak, but are willing to participate in a more introvert-friendly way are also welcome to do so — please let us know. Graduates of college and all other academic programs will also be listed in the bulletin and receive a blessing. Please submit names to Parish Office by May 11!

Summer Office Schedule

From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the parish office will be closed on Fridays.

New to this letter? We are now using Constant Contact. Reply directly to give us feedback on this new system. If you believe you are on this list incorrectly, please contact Rita at office@stpaulsduluth.org.