COUNCIL REFLECTIONS
by Gail Conroy
As the hectic pace of Christmas and
the New Year season begins to fade and
the winter months settle in, it seems
like an easy time to hibernate. The
thought of warm fires and lounging
leisurely at home feels appropriate for
the cold months upon us.
One thing that will keep me from
cloistering myself at home this winter
is the chance that I took to become an
active participant at both Bethlehem
campuses. It has been a wonderful
experience to not only expand my
faith, but to also meet and become
close to the people of our Bethlehem
community. It isn’t easy to venture
out and take the plunge into new
groups and new relationships, since
without trying, I would hibernate
(maybe beyond the winter too).
We are blessed with two campuses
that are alive with opportunity! After
finishing a Bible study (led by Ingrid
LeMonyon and Deb Conover) focused
on the windows at the Minnetonka
campus, they both asked for input
on new studies. I commented that
I’d enjoy a more focused study on
prayer. I said that sometimes it feels as
though prayer is more of a statement
than an action to me. As a result, a
very small group has begun to meet
and pray together each week. I feel
blessed beyond compare and I am
proud of people that step up, listen
to requests, act as leaders and create
these opportunities.
We all have busy lives, seemingly
full, but I urge everyone to raise their
hand, try a new group, or make a
new connection. Our church needs
us, people need us and we need each
other.
YOUR GIVING MAKES A DIFFERENCE
by Pastor Bob Wertz, Pastor of Stewardship and Planned Giving
Seven and one-half months into our three-year Opening New Doors mission appeal, we
continue to invite and encourage all members to support the critical ministries that are
taking place on both campuses. Thank you to those who have already committed, and
thanks in advance to those who are prayerfully considering it!
Co-chairs Kathryn and Gary Schmidt share, below, a status r eport on our progress
to date. Questions about the appeal? Please contact Pastor Bob Wertz at bwertz@
bethlehem-church.org. Thank you!
At the end of every calendar year, many take
stock of what has been accomplished, as well as
looking forward to what is to come in the new
year. The Opening New Doors campaign looks back
on a productive first year of the three year plan.
Many of you have contributed and we appreciate
your generosity! Your contributions have enabled
progress on plans at both campuses to improve
structural issues as well as complete some cosmetic
improvements at the Minnetonka campus, as well as air conditioning in the
sanctuary.
Looking ahead to 2018, projects will continue, as well as giving 15% to mission
needs. Here are a few specifics being worked on.
In Minnetonka:
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The Facilities Task Force is currently receiving recommendations from a
commercial lighting consultant to improve both sanctuary and narthex
lighting.
A decision will soon be made to either have the Fellowship Hall carpeting
replaced free of charge due to a manufacturing imperfection of the product,
or leave it in place and receive money from the vendor.
In Minneapolis:
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Langemo Lounge will be renovated
immediately after Christmas
with new wall coverings, media
cabinetry, lighting, and painting.
The space will be usable on
Sundays throughout the 4-5 week
project.
Despite cold weather, new slate
roofing is in the process of being
installed, with work on the
southern part of the South Hall
being addressed first.
With the coordinating help of
our owner’s rep, Watershed Partners, a decision will soon be made to hire
an architect to deliver a final architectural design and drawings for the choir
room area, with work anticipated to begin in late May, and be completed in
early September 2018.
There will be more to come! We invite everyone to continue generous giving
or join in now with contributions, to be part of this exciting chapter of our
congregation!
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