June newsletter update

Acting on input from the congregation, the newspace@chpc task force* made some recommendations that the Session adopted. Many of these will need congregational involvement in order for them to be carried out. Specifically, volunteers with interest and expertise are needed for the following committees: (Please talk to Jane if you can help.)

- Building Maintenance: Tasks for this committee include coming up with a 5-year plan for maintenance needs and estimated costs, bringing this plan to Stewardship Council and then Session for approval and then implementing the plan (making sure on-going maintenance and general improvements are made to our property).

- Housekeeping: Tasks would be to plan for and carry out a system of keeping up with keeping things in order inside the buildings. This will mainly be a “ministry of clutter-control”!

- Grounds Maintenance: This would be a group of people willing to plan for and keep up with the outside areas surrounding our buildings.

- Green Committee: “Greening” the building showed up as a strong priority of the congregation. The session needs people with interest and expertise whose first assignment will be to come up with a Master Plan for the properties to become increasingly more environmentally responsible. This Plan will need to have a continuum from the simplest, cheapest things we can do right now to the dream of where we want to be in time.

These on-going groups are needed to simply keep up with, stay on top of the on-going needs of an old, but very well-used, building which is one of our great resources for ministry. This isn’t necessarily the “fun” work of the church – but in order for us to be responsible stewards of the facilities we have, it is essential. So please let Jane know if you can help with one of the on-going committees that are needed.

There are still questions about accessibility and space usage which will need to be explored. The newspace task force met with architect Kevin Milburn (of rkm designz, inc.). That conversation led to thinking about an eventual new building (fellowship hall/kitchen space) at the west end (St. Joseph side) of the current educational building and re-configuring the current fellowship hall space into more accessible office and meeting space. These ideas are, of course, down the line and will involve much more thought. The future of the Scout Hut is also (still!) in conversation. It needs to be determined if it is structurally safe for a new use or simply needs to be removed.

If you have questions, concerns, ideas please talk to a member of the Session or the newspace task force which includes Laura Kelleher, Anita Cary, Martha Gee, Perry Chang and Ben Langley.

-- Jane