In 2019 , Partners for Sacred Places conducted 30 + confidential interviews with a wide range of congregation members and community constituencies . As a result of the interviews and other research , Partners believes that a capital campaign goal of $ 500,000 is a reasonable objective , including funding from entities outside of the congregation .
Our Goal
THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN FOR ST . JOHN
Our Needs
As we approach St . John ’ s 120th anniversary , we need to continue to change with the times in order to grow our church and expand our reach into the community . As approved in a congregational meeting on May 5 , 2019 , we will accomplish this by :
• Installing air conditioning in the Sanctuary for use during worship services , weddings , funerals , concerts , and other activities hosted by St . John and external parties .
• Installing a lift to make all building floors accessible .
• Refurbishing the Sanctuary with new flooring , seating , and lighting to increase accessibility and use by St . John and other groups .
• Reconfiguring and updating the entrances and the lobby to create a welcoming , modern , and comfortable space that also complies with all building code requirements .
• Replacing windows to increase energy efficiency and safety .
pivot quickly , learn and try new approaches . St . John United Church of Christ in Arlington Heights , Illinois , for example , planned its Vision 20 / 20 ( Building a Vibrant Community
General findings of the study included :
• A desire for the church to be used more in frequency and variation , full of activity during the week .
• An interest in increasing the building ’ s accessibility and functionality .
• Air conditioning of the Sanctuary cited as the most frequently mentioned need .
• Pastor Michael viewed as a key asset and leader in increasing the church ’ s visibility and relevance in the community .
The Capital Campaign Steering Committee has identified the following needs for our building :
SANCTUARY - built 1968 USES : Sunday worship services , weddings , funerals , choir rehearsals , music concerts NEEDS : Air conditioning , new carpet , new seating , better lighting , chancel remodel .
LOBBY AREA - built 1958 USES : Gathering space before worship , connection between sanctuary , library , offices , and Fellowship Hall . NEEDS : New flooring , more space , narthex wall to be taken out , new furniture , lift to get downstairs .
DOWNSTAIRS CLASSROOMS UNDER FELLOWSHIP HALL - built 1958 USES : Sunday School Classrooms , Space for Tai Chi and other groups using building , Youth Room for Youth Groups . NEEDS : New windows
We are asking members of St . John and the community to donate generously to help make our goal a reality . Our goal is $ 500,000 .
A page from the case statement of St . John United Church of Christ . Courtesy of St . John UCC
Campaign ) as the congregation was approaching its 120th anniversary . St . John was open to changing and adapting in the midst of the pandemic , to “ grow our Church and expand our reach into the community .” St . John ’ s pastor , Michael Jones , says : “ Launching and running the Campaign for St . John virtually was not what we originally had planned . Still , our leadership found that the support and guidance of Partners for Sacred Places , combined with an honest assessment of where our congregation was financially , was exactly what we needed to move forward despite many unknowns . We found our donors were just as willing or even more willing to support the Capital Campaign during the pandemic . Regular giving stayed steady throughout , which led us to believe that the Capital Campaign would still be successful . The virtual approach , which we were already adapting to in all other areas of church life , brought comfort to donors concerned about safety , etc . We ran an almost 100 % virtual campaign , and our congregation and donor ’ s generosity exceeded expectations !” Congregations may have had worries about the economy and its impact on a campaign . How can a congregation run a capital campaign and raise hundreds of thousands of dollars ( or millions !) if the economy is fragile and people are losing their jobs ? Fortunately , government stepped in to help many businesses , and many white collar workers retained their jobs and their ability to support a campaign .
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