IMPROVING OUR BUILDING FACILITIES

About six months ago the elders discussed the need for improving our building facilities. We recognized that things were getting to look a little run down, out of repair, and out of date. We talked about the fact that we will have a better chance at reaching out to others if they have a favorable impression with an attractive facility, inside and out. We also recognized that the spirits of our own members would be up lifted if our facilities were improved.

Steve Payne was tasked with the job of supervising the building facilities project and he was asked to form committees to work with him. The building needs were to be divided into different sections and they were to prioritize and assign volunteers and committees as they worked toward fixing up and remodeling various sections of the building. They met with an interior decorator to get fresh ideas and started moving forward with sprucing up the building.

The elders decided that the funding for the project should come from the congregation and that everybody should have the opportunity to share in raising the finances. The elders decided that 10% of our regular contributions would go toward the project and that each 5th Sunday contribution would go toward the project as well and added to the Capital Expansion Fund.

As you are aware, much has been accomplished since last January when we first began to get serious about dressing up our facilities. Also, other great improvements have been accomplished in the past, such as the new kitchen, remodeling of offices, and replacement of carpeting in various areas of the building. The new teen building is nearing completion. New carpeting will soon be installed after the painting is finished. Work has already begun repairing and repainting the exterior of the church building and the teen building. I would hope that all would agree that these past accomplishments and in-progress improvements create a better environment for our community and will make our buildings more useful and attractive.

One of our major remodel projects has been our lobby. Have you noticed what a favorable impression our new lobby has been on our visitors and those returning to Northside after being gone for a while? Don't you feel a sense of pleasantness as you walk into the lobby? Aren't you glad that this project was accomplished so well? Doesn't it give you joy when a visitor compliments the attractiveness of our lobby? These feeling of pleasantness, gladness, and joy are all well and good, but let me ask another question. Do you think these same feelings of pleasantness, gladness, and joy are felt as a person walks into the auditorium? This brings us to our next project-the auditorium.

Next year, 2008, our carpet and furniture in the auditorium will be 30 years old. We have done some remodeling over the years to up date our audiovisual and provide for more space but not much has been done to make the auditorium more attractive, more pleasant, and more functional. Now let's dream a little. What if we could have those same feelings of pleasantness, gladness, and joy as we enter an auditorium that is more functional? Is it possible? Yes! I think that new lobby should tell us what a difference good planning and coordinating of floor covering, furniture, and colors can make.

Steve will be working with a committee to coordinate the auditorium project. Our funds for building improvements are pretty much depleted after we finish the painting of the exterior of the buildings, but we will be moving forward with the planning stage for the auditorium project. With your continued sharing and giving, we should be able to begin remodeling the auditorium in about 6 months.

The Elders