We are the READY TO RESPOND Committee – call us R2R for short.
MINESING UNITED CHURCH: READY TO RESPOND
....OPENING OUR DOORS WIDER....
Ontario government legislation is written requiring full accessibility to public buildings for people with physical disabilities. It covers places ‘in the public sector’ (eg. hospitals) and ‘providers of goods & services who employ at least one person’ (including convenience stores, etc. and ‘places of worship’).
The ELFs (Evening Ladies Fellowship group) begin to look at some of their own members, and other members of the congregation/community, who have difficulty getting into our church building because of its many steps. To begin to address the problem, Lorrie Giffen writes a dinner theatre play called ‘Josephine & The Techni-Coloured Dream Screen’. The event is held at the Community Centre (which was already a wheelchair-accessible venue), and is advertised as ‘fun and fundraising to help build a ramp at the church’. Monies raised are donated to MUC and held by the Trustees, inside the existing ‘Building Fund’, as a designated ‘Ramp Fund’.
Under Rev. Helen Prior’s leadership, a visioning & information-gathering committee is formed called CEAD (Church Evolution, Advisory & Development). Its members look at obstacles to growth, and discuss issues such as how we perceive ourselves as a congregation, & how best to reach out to the wider community. The committee includes the entire congregation in the discussion by designing questionnaires, asking for ideas/feedback through The Link, and hosting pot-luck meals to share information.
Recognizing an inevitable need to somehow address the physical inaccessibility features of the church building, Council members vote to begin diverting 10% of any future fundraising monies into the ‘Ramp Fund’
Russell Maw provides much of the initial impetus that leeds to our switching out the original wooden church pews for comfortable, upholstered chairs in the fall of 2007. The interlocking chairs dramatically change both the appearance and function of the sanctuary, up-dating the space, making it appear more welcoming, and giving us much more flexibility in its use.
The Trustees become more insistent that a plan is needed to comply with provincial legislation requiring physical accessibility to our building. Cam Bonner and Denise Adams-Lawrence (both highly professionally-qualified) are asked to explore the extent of the challenge and report back to both Council and the congregation.
After exploring several options over a period of months, Cam and Denise agree that simply building a ramp to the doors of the church will not provide the kind of accessibility required by the new legislation. They walk the congregation through a set of preliminary drafting plans/cost estimates they have created that include, in addition to an exterior ramp, the elimination of stairs between the sanctuary and the ‘New Wing’, a wheelchair-and-stroller-friendly washroom, an upstairs cloakroom, a new kitchen, and the updating of electrical/plumbing/septic systems to Code. Their efforts, plans and advice are entirely donated.
Because of the enormity of the proposed project, Trustees, Council and the congregation struggle to know how to proceed. A new committee is struck to look at the situation more thoroughly, and to make recommendations. The R2R (Ready to Respond) Committee takes both its name and its inspiration from the Minesing Pastoral Charge ‘mission statement’: ‘......We strive to open our doors and our hearts to the community, ready to respond.’
R2R consults with Reverend Rick Horst (St. Andrews Presbyterian), a veteran of several large building projects, who advises the creation of an Endowment Fund as part of any plan. They invite Marion Tizzard, S.C.A.P.D., to conduct an Accessibility Study of the building. In her report she advises that, though Minesing United is one of the more challenging buildings she has looked at, the proposed plans will meet legislative standards. To elicit feedback, the R2R Committee creates a ‘suggestion box’ and makes them selves available informally to hear all options. To keep the congregation informed, they establish a web page and make regular Sunday reports called R2R Minutes.
R2R COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Jerry Smeding (Chair), Rev. Kirsty Hunter, Cam Bonner, Rick de Bokx, Denise Adams-Lawrence, Marg Morley and Harold Parker.
After reviewing the options, the R2R Committee concludes that the proposed $270,000 renovation plan should be implemented, and agree that it would be in the best interests of future generations to establish an Endowment Fund. The Committee realizes, however, that the project and the required fundraising efforts can only move forward with strong congregational support. A balloted vote is arranged for Sunday, June 14, 2009 and every effort is made to encourage congregational members to attend and participate. The ballot reads as follows:
I understand that: - spiritually, Minesing United Church must prepare for the future of this particular congregation of God's church on earth,
- legally we must decide how to adhere to the 'Accessibility of Ontarians with Disabilities Act' ,
- and morally we need to be open to anyone who may want to access our services.
Therefore, - I agree to support the proposed renovations spiritually, morally, and financially to the best of my time, talents and abilities.
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VOTING RESULTS : 77% in favour of supporting the proposed renovation project, that is, in favour of supporting ‘the proposed renovation spiritually, morally, and financially to the best of my time, talents and abilities’.
With strong congregational support in place to proceed, the R2R Committee presents the following two specific goals:
1) To raise $250,000 in new money by January 1, 2014
2) To create an Endowment Fund for future capital projects.
The R2R fundraising strategy includes: a ‘first-wave’ series of hosted congregational Pledge Dinners; a ‘second-wave’ letter campaign to adherents and potential contributors in the larger community; including an ongoing search for corporate, government and grant money, and a variety of other fundraising activities over a period of the next four years.
A first ‘practice’ Pledge Dinner is hosted by Marg and Bill Morley for the members of the R2R Committee and their spouses. By month end, the Committee are very encouraged to have received pledges of $65,600 in newly donated and/or pledged money, fully a quarter of the total new money goal!
In addition to good food and fellowship, guests at R2R pledge dinners listen to a presentation outlining the details of the project, suggesting financial options for giving (including significant tax benefits). They are asked for financial, time and talent donations and receive an informational brochure summary and a pledge card in a stamped, addressed envelope. All donations are directed to the R2R Treasurer, Marg Morley, and held in strict confidence. Only Dorothy Smith (MUC Treasurer) is privy to specific financial information, for purposes of issuing year-end tax receipts.
By year-end, the congregation makes new financial pledges of $155,000, to be received over a three-year schedule. Including pre-existing funds from the Trustees and the E.L.F.’s, available funds are approximately $190,000 and R2R confirms plans to start and complete construction by Sept, 2010.
Architectural plans are completed and put out for tender. Five tenders are received. Based on our plans, financial projections and the demonstrated commitment of our Congregation and Trustees, our bankers indicate their willingness to work with us with regards to bridge financing.
The month starts strong with another inspired dinner theatre. Lorrie Giffen and the Minesing ELFS proudly present: Health Calls with ‘B & B’, featuring “Cane, Able & Company”!
Presbytery approves our project and financing plans. The contract is awarded to Shertine Construction and clean-up and demolition activities start immediately. Church services, meetings and activities are rescheduled to various venues in the community. On Sunday, May 9, a ground-breaking ceremony officially kicks off the construction phase of our project!
WHAT’S NEXT?
In summary, there will be a lot of construction activity for the next few months. The plan is to complete construction by Labour Day with an official opening ceremony at Thanksgiving.
In the mean time, we again focus on meeting our fundraising objective of $250,000 by raising the last approximately $85,000. We obviously welcome and need additional pledges and are encouraged that some of our existing sponsors have offered to accelerate their pledged donations.
R2R will also continue to search for government and organizational support, plan a number of ongoing fundraisers and promote the concept of pre-authorized receipts (PAR). We continue to welcome your ideas and talents and will help co-ordinate any efforts that help complete this project.
We remain confident in our ability to pay off this project by December 31, 2013. Though we look forward to closing the books on this particular project , we also wish to leave this congregation with the confidence that together we can handle any project we set our minds and hearts to.
Respectfully,
Jerry Smeding
Chair Ready to Respond Committee
Minesing United Church
For answers to your questions first check our R2R: ASK US page. Pass on your unanswered concerns to any member of the R2R Committee.