The goal of the church council as well as the Relocation committee is to communicate well with you the congregation. As you know this past June at a voter’s meeting the congregation voted to pursue relocation of our church and school.
On behalf of the church council and the-relocation committee I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on our efforts in this matter. I also want to personally invite you to join us on Sunday November 10, 2002, in between services. At this meeting each of the subcommittees will give you a report on their progress up to this point. The meeting will be held in the gymnasium.
Let me start by explaining the different subcommittees included in this effort. The Relocation Committee reports directly to the Church Council and is responsible for overseeing the relocation process. There are four subcommittees that report to the relocation committee and have very distinct purposes: 1. Property Sale, 2. Site Selection, 3. Planning and Construction, 4 Finance. Each of these subcommittees has been meeting regularly. If you come to the meeting on November 10, 2002, you will have the opportunity to meet the individuals who are serving on these subcommittees.
I also want to make you aware that the Board for Stewardship & Finance has examined the cause of our current deficit, and believes that is has not resulted from lack of support for the relocation effort, but rather is the direct result of a struggling economy. As I stated in church on October 13, 2002, 40% of our giving units are giving slightly less than over the same period of time as last year, which has resulted in our current deficit.
While it’s true the economy has been struggling, this may be an advantageous time for our congregation to be in this process. Mortgage rates are at a historical low, making building more affordable. At the same time, the real estate market for sellers remain high, which could maximize the amount that we could receive for the sale of our property.
It remains the belief of the Church Council and Relocation committees that relocating would position us to gain members and grow our school, as has happened with many other churches that have undergone the same process.
We continue to trust our gracious God to guide us in this matter. We are confident He will guide us according to His will, opening and closing doors as He sees fit.
Enclosed is a prayer written by Pastor Bartels regarding our relocation efforts. I would encourage you and your family to pray this on a regular basis.
In His Service,
Kevin Randall
Chairman-Church Council
Chairman-Relocation Committee
A Prayer About Relocation
Heavenly Father,
We are Your flock at Holy Cross. You have purchased us with the blood of Your
own Son. You have given us Your Word and Sacraments and through them created
faith in our hearts and sustained us. You have carried us on eagles’ wings
through trials and troubles. You have forgiven our sins. You have given us a
secure future in heaven. You have given us the privilege of learning from Your
Word and spreading it to others. You have given us a school where our children
can be trained and a church where we can grow in Your Word.
Now we ask for Your divine help. In our human wisdom, using sanctified judgment, we have chosen to relocate, if it be Your will. Make Your will known to us. You have caused us to find a suitable location. If we could serve You best by relocating, then cause our property to sell at a fair price, cause us to give generously to our new needs, and cause us to design a house of worship suitable to Your honor and glory. Guide us along the way. Open doors that we should go through and close doors that would not be a benefit to Your kingdom.
Our plea is that You would use us to bring more people to Your kingdom. If that could best be accomplished by relocating, then, by Your infinite power and grace, make it possible for us.
Jesus, we are Your humble servants. Lead us according to Your will. Our lives are in Your loving hands.
In Your Holy Name we pray. Amen!
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