To our Faith Family:

Transcription

1 WINTER 2017

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3 766 N. Main St Hendersonville, NC (828) stjamesepiscopal.com The Reverend Dr. Joel G. Hafer, Rector The Reverend Christiana Olsen, Assistant Rector The Reverend Tim Jones, Deacon Campaign Committee: Gene Carr, Chair Meredith Calhoun Kim Cathers David Goss Elizabeth Henry Kristin Huntley Bradley Jones Ibby Jones Tom Marshall Charles Medd Dick Nace Carey O Cain Steve Studebaker Vestry: Senior Warden: Gene Carr Junior Warden: Ben Booker Kim Cathers Hardy Chandler Gene Frame Eric Goodman Matt Henry Kyle Hulsey Alice Hunter Ibby Jones Dick Nace Carey O Cain A LETTER FROM THE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE To our Faith Family: These are exciting times! On the heels of celebrating 150 years of worship and outreach at St. James, we are preparing for a bright, mission-filled future. With our Vestry in the lead and our planning complete, we are ALL embarking on a bold campaign to preserve and renovate St. James historic building and grounds. Our vision of the future includes an environmentally-friendly, efficient, and physically accessible St. James. It also includes a future that is debt free with reserves for building maintenance and outreach activities. The goals of our plan are outlined in the following pages. They are ambitious. We hope with your help to raise $2.5 million or more to invest in preserving and renovating our campus. We anticipate many benefits by making this investment now: Replacing roofs, windows, HVAC, vans, and fixtures will increase our energy efficiency, reduce our carbon footprint, and free up operating funds for faith formation and outreach. Improving our communications, sound, and security systems will ensure every member is engaged, informed, and safe. Paying off our mortgages and reserving for future capital repairs will ensure that future generations can focus their fundraising efforts on ministry activities. Renovating the entrance from Grove Street will improve access for handicapped parishioners, increase parking, and direct foot traffic through the parish hall to a new reception area and the church. A portion of the capital campaign funds may be set aside for Outreach by approval of the Vestry. All restricted gifts and pledges will be honored. Our work today stands on the shoulders of the parishioners who contributed to the St. James community over the first 150 years. It is a compilation of your input in our 2015 visioning work and in our recently completed feasibility study. It is both our honor and our responsibility to preserve our historic campus and secure its future so that we can continue to share our faith with each other, Hendersonville, and the world. You can participate in this exciting venture by offering a three-year pledge, by including St. James in your will, and by volunteering your time or attending our celebration events! Every member is essential for equipping St. James for its future work of ministry and building up the body of Christ. Thank you for making this campaign a success! Sincerely, Eugene M. Carr, III Joel Hafer, Rector 1

4 A LONG HISTORY OF FAITH, COMMUNITY AND OUTREACH St. James was founded over 150 years ago in Hendersonville. The intention was to reach out to the residents of Henderson County and build a year-round, welcoming, loving, and serving Episcopal community. Since its inception, our parish has been instrumental in the formation of outreach ministries and other Episcopal churches throughout the surrounding communities. Some of these include La Capilla de Santa Maria, Church of the Holy Family in Mills River, the School for Little Folks, St. James Charities, The Medical Loan Closet, and the Thursday Thrift Shop. The parish s ministries have grown in size to over 70 active groups, and each week we host between 50 and 120 meetings, events and activities. In the past century, St. James has called upon its members periodically to fund growth and improvement initiatives as it has grown. The past four successful campaigns improved our buildings and expanded our capacity for outreach: 1966 Installed Stained Glass Windows and Nave 1973 Retired Debt and Built Bell Tower Addition 1988 Building to Serve Expanded facilities and established St. James Charities 1996 Our Father s House Funded organ, air conditioning, and other improvements Even today, well into the 21st century, St. James is a place for gathering, healing, and refuge, a place where intergenerational relationships are formed and fostered, and a place where worship leads to action, outreach, and mission. Our vision for the future includes a physically-accessible, environmentally-friendly building where newcomers feel welcome and where inspirational music, worship, and outreach activities can flourish. In order to share our gifts and God s message with the world beyond our doors, it is time to address the present and future needs of our building that currently restrict our call to mission. By preserving our historic campus and improving access to our services, we will secure our future, and St. James will continue to serve its community well into the next 150 years. 2

5 SHARING OUR FAITH - SECURING OUR FUTURE CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES Where we are being led: Preservation $1.1 million Replace building fixtures, windows, HVAC, and van Restore walls, paint, and carpets from water leaks Renew communications, sound, and security systems Renovation Goal $957K Renovate Grove Street Entrance at the back of the church Add an elevator to improve access from back lots Increase parking for high volume times - holidays and funerals Create a new reception center for guests Outreach A portion of the capital campaign funds may be set aside for Outreach by approval of the Vestry. All restricted gifts and pledges will be honored. How we can respond: 2017 Stewardship 100% Participation Capital Campaign $2.525 Million in Capital Pledges Legacy Gifts Include St. James in your estate planning 50 new commitments 3

6 Preservation Our historic building is a physical witness to the ancestry and learning that are unique in fostering a Christian community. St. James building is the heart of our church, the place where our ministries and outreach programs are born, where children grow in faith, and where we share fellowship and teaching with the community. Modern use of historic buildings inherently conflicts with the cost to preserve them; they don t always comply with updated building codes, accessibility requirements, or human comfort and safety. St. James has prioritized its limited resources to maintain the property while fulfilling the spiritual needs of its congregation and community. Major repairs have been deferred for future dates, but we have now reached a critical state. Should we delay this work any longer, we risk losing our building s significant character-defining structural integrity. During the initial planning for this appeal, the Capital Campaign Committee, along with the Vestry and the Facilities Committee, identified a list of several capital projects important to preserving and improving our building and grounds for the future. The projects range in size from repairing water-damaged walls to installing a new sound system and replacing the roofs on the church and other buildings. While all the projects have merit, the ones that were prioritized link directly to our Vision for the Parish. The group prioritized projects based on three criteria: Does the project address capital items in the long term Building and Grounds Master Plan? Does the project assist in improving communications and flow throughout the buildings? Does the project support and strengthen ministry at St. James? A list of the preservation projects can be found on page 6. The Vestry and Planning Committee identified two other important priorities: paying off the small remaining mortgage on the Grove Street property and establishing a major repairs reserve fund to reduce future maintenance costs (which are presently included in the annual operational budget). The savings from these two items alone could be redirected to church ministry activities and toward preventive and planned maintenance for our historic structure. 4

7 THE PRESERVATION GOAL IS: $1.1 MILLION The expected benefits of this investment are as follows: A greener, more energy-efficient building: Replacing roofs, HVAC, and windows will generate annual utilities cost savings of approximately $5,000 - $6,000. New tools for communications: Adding screens to the Nave and parish hall will keep parishioners updated about ministry events, meetings, and activities. Reduced maintenance costs: Replacing HVAC, repairing water damage, and renewing the security system will enhance parishioner safety and comfort and reduce annual maintenance costs by a estimated 15%. Enhanced music and services: Renewing the outdated sound system and refurbishing the piano will allow services and music events to be broadcast throughout the church. Safer transportation: Replacing the church van will allow us to transport more parishioners and youth to events with less chance of an accident. A reserve for future repairs: Paying off the current mortgage and placing some funds in reserve for future repairs will ensure that future generations can focus fundraising efforts on ministry and outreach. Sample of a few areas in need of repair 5

8 St. James Episcopal Church Preservation Projects Project Roof and Gutters Amount Flat roof over school $61,250 Small built up roofs $29,850 New shingle roof for Nave $73,000 Hall and office roofs $62,000 Subtotal Roofs $226,100 Windows: Replace 31 wooden windows in church $75,000 Replace Kitchen/Offices metal windows $52,000 Subtotal Windows $127,000 Refurbish Kawai Grand Piano $4,000 HVAC Units (replaced when necessary) $110,660 Upgrade Security System $16,250 Repave Parking Lots $90,990 Contingency for Building Repairs $250,000 Reconfigure and update hall, hallways, and offices $75,000 Electronics Upgrades - computers, sound, video $30,000 Payoff July, 2017 $155,000 New Church Van $40,000 Total Preservation Funding Objectives $1,125,000 Paradoxical as it may seem, you keep only what you give - What I spent I had; what I kept I lost; what I gave I have. -James Preston Burke, Priest of St. James

9 Renovation In keeping with St. James long term goals for becoming a more welcoming community, the Vestry determined the need for developing a new Building and Grounds Master Plan. Through the Feasibility Study, parishioners indicated considerable interest in adding an entrance from Grove Street with these three specific criteria: More welcoming and clearly identifiable entrance to the church Increased parking spaces An elevator for accessibility from the parking area Over the last several months, the Vestry engaged architects and land planners who developed several options that accomplished all three requests. Pages 8 and 9 show drawings of the proposed entrance and parking areas. THE RENOVATION GOAL IS: $975,000 A new entrance off Grove Street will allow for easy drop off/pick up of passengers at different access points. The design is in keeping with the original architectural integrity of the church. A new reception area will include a short straight walkway towards Main Street that will lead to the church. Parking will be increased. An elevator and stairs will allow easy access from the back of the church but will not disturb the Youth Room or the Thrift Shop offices. There are many benefits to renovating our Grove Street entrance: Easy Access/Central Information: Entrance to the church will be clear. Parishioners and guests will be able to easily find their way to the church from the parking area. A new welcome center will incorporate both a reception desk and St. James welcoming materials. It will function as a hub from which visitors and parishioners can move to other areas of the church buildings. Additionally, this entrance will increase accessibility from Grove Street for physically-challenged visitors. Additional Parking: Parking will be increased by 40% to accommodate guests for peak services, events, weddings, and funerals. Accordingly, handicapped parking will be expanded. Maintains School without disrupting Operations: During the feasibility study, parishioner input helped shape a plan that is more cost effective and will not disrupt school operations. The new entrance will allow for a reconfiguration of staff offices and work areas but does not require moving the School for Little Folks. 7

10 Grove Street Entrance 8

11 9 Grove Street Parking 40% increase in parking spaces

12 Outreach Outreach Tithe A portion of the capital campaign funds may be set aside for Outreach by approval of the Vestry. All restricted gifts and pledges will be honored. Opportunities for Recognition All donors will be recognized in the parish hall. Additional customized recognition is available for donors beginning at $10,000, including areas in the building and on the grounds. Legacy Gifts Donors can choose to secure the future of St. James by making a legacy gift to the Church Endowment or to other designations. By including St. James in your estate plan, you can ensure a lasting impact for years to come. One of the reasons my wife and I joined St. James back in the 90s was because it seemed to recognize that it was part of the community and had a responsibility to minister to it as part of its work. Since then I have had the opportunity to serve in leadership roles which have continued this witness beyond ourselves. I am proud to be a member of St. James for this and many other reasons. - Robert Seiler, Former Senior Warden 10

13 CAMPAIGN GOAL SUMMARY INVITATION TO GIVE Few organizations can point to 150 years of faith, community service, and growth. Nor have many organizations had the kind of impact that St. James has had on Henderson County and the world. Today, we continue the good work of the early parishioners caring for the community, serving the underserved and representing God s plan for us as Christians in Community. After reading these pages, please prayerfully consider how your gift can help secure St. James future so that we can share our faith for many years to come. PROPOSED GIFTS Gift Size Number Total $500, $500,000 $250, $500,000 $100, $400,000 $50, $300,000 $25, $250,000 $10, $220,000 $5, $160,000 $3, $105,000 $1, $55,000 Less than $1k Many $35, $2,525,000 *Pledges may be paid over a 5-year period; however, everyone is encouraged to consider paying off pledges within 3 years, if at all possible. **Please indicate on your pledge form if you have provided for St. James in your will or estate plan. We would like to identify 50 new expectancies during the campaign. Thank you! 11

14 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Have all options been considered before deciding to renovate? Members of our congregation and the Vestry have been discussing the need for a more welcoming and easily maneuvered campus for some time. We have discussed signage, physical changes, new walkways, and other improvements. We are challenged by a facility that was originally situated in the heart of our small town. The entrance, facing Main Street, was designed in a time when parishioners walked to church. Now almost all of our parishioners drive, and handicapped parking adjacent to the main entrance is very limited. The short-term options we have explored do not support our vision of long-term growth. Hunter Marks, ASLA, took a fresh look at our options. His proposals are well considered and have been accepted by the Vestry as the basis for the renovation phase of this campaign. What is the cost of doing nothing? Further deferrals of much needed maintenance will come at great cost to our parish. Every year that we delay the needed maintenance, the cost will escalate as the problems compound, affecting adjoining systems in the structures of our buildings. We risk passing a much larger burden to future parishioners. Energy costs and operating costs will also increase annually if we delay the work. Lacking a viable Grove Street entrance, newcomers and visitors alike may be disinclined to seek out the entrance to our church. What is the purpose of the current endowment? The St. James Endowment Fund was created to hold memorials and other large gifts in perpetuity to provide ongoing funding for preservation, outreach, and special initiatives as approved by the Vestry. The three largest funds, our Endowment at $525,000, the Stillwell Estate at $900,000 and the Blausey Estate at $300,000, total $1.75 million and are all restricted to be used for specific purposes. The Endowment is restricted to outreach, new initiatives, and buildings and grounds. The Stillwell Estate benefits St. James Charities. The Blausey fund is restricted to our Rector s discretionary fund, the music program, and buildings and grounds expenses. The total of the church s investments is relatively small for a parish of our age and size. While these funds may seem large, the payouts are restricted to a number of different purposes and cannot be changed as needed. A larger endowment fund to secure the future is needed at St. James. What is being planned to make this campaign a true parish-wide effort? We started this journey with a parish-wide visioning process that led to the development of a collective vision for the future of St. James. Continuing this process, we intentionally included parish members and leaders in the planning and feasibility stages of the campaign. We have a goal of 100% participation in the campaign. We will conduct personal meetings with as many parishioners as possible, and there will be an emphasis on communications, with multiple opportunities to hear and participate. Is this a comprehensive campaign including our annual gifts for 2017, campaign pledges 3-5 years and a check-in on Legacy giving? Campaign contributions are above and beyond annual gifts. If you are considering Legacy giving or have already made a Legacy gift, please indicate by noting on the pledge form. How will Legacy giving be part of this campaign? In several ways that will allow God s vision for St. James to be achieved over the course of many years. The proposed capital campaign will be a good start, but as we see with most parishes it will be through Legacy giving that our historic campus and facilities will be sustained. During the campaign, parishioners will be encouraged to make Legacy gifts, and there will actually be a tabulation for the number of existing Legacy gifts and the number of newly created Legacy gifts. Would financing be considered for the Grove Street parking and entrance project and why? Because funding for our project is based on receipt of pledges being paid over a 3-5 year period, bank financing would provide a dependable funding source, allowing construction to move forward and not be delayed. Since finance rates are currently low, church leadership may consider this option. If pursued, by Vestry policy, any such loan will not exceed the overall amount of pledged gifts. How can St. James parishioners stay informed? The Campaign Committee will provide regular updates, and there will be notices in the bulletins and on the campaign website. Progress on campaign fundraising can be tracked on the website and in the parish hall. 12

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16 All things come of thee, Oh Lord, and of thine own have we given. Chronicles 29: N. Main St. I Hendersonville, NC I (828) I