Questions and Answers from Fall 2006
What is the anticipated construction schedule?
Construction is scheduled to begin in Spring of 2007 and is expected to last approximately 12 months.
What will happen first?
The first step will be the creation of a new ground level, fully accessible entrance in the front of the church. Soon after that will be grading for the retention and parking lot which will be used as the main staging area for construction activities. This will be followed by the new building addition and finished with the final touches to the parking lot and retention area.
Does the final plan differ from what we saw during the Appeal?
While some things have moved a bit in the plan, it still calls for the main components as presented earlier ? new gathering area, lounge, library, kitchen, office wing, nursery, elevator to the third floor, parking lot, memorial garden, upgrading of utilities and ADA accessibility.
When will the new parking lot be available for use?
The new parking lot will be used as the staging area for construction equipment and will not be usable for the duration of the project. The North High School lot will remain available for our use on the weekends.
Will the parking area be lighted?
The parking area will be lighted for safety and security purposes. The lighting will be engineered using the latest technology to assure that the lights will illuminate the church property and not spill over on to neighbors? homes.
How will storm water runoff from the parking lot be managed?
The engineering plans call for a shallow retention area to the east of the church along Grant and Highland (on church property). The final plan will be approved by the Village.
How will the construction be managed?
The church has contracted with an architect and contractor who will have a manager on site. Both are familiar with the ordinances and requirements of the Village and are working with the Village to obtain the necessary permits and approvals.
What is the project budget, and will we be able to manage within this framework?
The January 2006 congregational meeting vote authorized the Building Task Force to proceed with a budget that would support a $4.5 million project; a larger budget would require additional congregational approval. Preliminary construction cost estimates indicate that we should be close to the approved amount. Final contracts will be bid on a guaranteed maximum price basis, providing the church protection from cost escalations during the project.
Do we have financing in place?
We received five viable financing proposals earlier this year, but have purposely deferred further action until final cost numbers become available. We are confident that we will be able to work with one or more of these financial institutions to convert these earlier proposals to a competitive financing commitment early in 2007.
Will there be a great deal of dirt and noise during the construction?
There is bound to be some noise and dirt during the construction phase. However, the church, working with the contractor, is committed to hold disturbance to a minimum and will make certain that all Village rules and regulations are carried out by the contractor.
Will the service schedule be disrupted by the construction?
Phasing of the construction effort is a high priority and both the architect and contractor are aware and sensitive to our concerns. It is not anticipated that the service schedule will be disrupted, but some programs and functions may have to be adjusted.
Is any work planned for the existing sanctuary or chapel?
Sound system upgrades, organ repairs and some choir loft work has already been completed. Remaining work includes improvements to the HVAC systems as well as new and improved lighting for these spaces.
Previous Questions and Answers:
WHAT IS THE EMBRACING OUR PAST...BUILDING OUR FUTURE FUND APPEAL?
Embracing Our Past...Building Our Future is a congregation-wide effort by the members of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church to raise the funds needed to:
- Renovate, expand and repair our church facilities
- Build our new south parking area
- Support our ministries through our 2006 Annual Stewardship Appeal
HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE WANT TO RAISE?
We have two goals:
- To raise at least $2 million toward our building project through both Initial Gifts and three-year commitments
- To secure one-year financial commitments for our 2006 Annual Stewardship Appeal
Our first priority must be to provide financial support for our ongoing ministries at Gloria Dei in 2006. Contributions to the Building Fund will be OVER and ABOVE our regular weekly offerings that support our ministries, benevolence, administration and salaries.
HOW WILL THE BUILDING FUNDS BE USED?
After approval by the congregation, the building funds raised will be used to do some or all of the following:
Build a New South Parking Area
- Provide parking close to the church building and alleviate weekday and evening parking problems.
Expand Our Church Facilities
- Expand the church building into the courtyard, creating a more open and welcoming gathering area.
- Design a new lounge adjacent to the gathering area that can be opened up to facilitate large gatherings.
- Create multipurpose meeting and education rooms to enhance Sunday School, Adult Education and outreach ministries such as LSSI Counseling, Community Adult Day Care, and other community groups.
- Relocate the nursery close to the worship area and provide an attached bathroom, changing facility and a sound system so worship services can be heard in the nursery.
- Expand and remodel the kitchen to provide for ventilation and exhaust, increased storage and service space.
- Provide for a new and improved youth room on the lower level.
- Expand the library to include additional conference and storage space.
- Create efficient new offices, workroom, storage room and conference area.
- Update the church building to code for accessibility and create room for non-congested traffic flow.
Renovate and Repair Our Church Facilities
- Install a new sound system, improve the lighting and ventilation, repair the roof leaks and clean all of the walls and woodwork in the worship area and chapel.
- Maintain our pipe organ investment with substantial repairs, upgrades and preventative maintenance.
- Revamp the Fellowship Hall with improved lighting, a new ceiling, new carpet and more storage.
- Upgrade the electrical and plumbing systems as required by code.
- Install a new fire alarm and sprinkling system.
The estimated cost to complete all of the items listed above is $4.5 million.
HOW WILL THE BUILDING PROGRAM BE FINANCED?
This Building Fund appeal will provide the money to finance the project along with any mortgage amount approved by the congregation. The amount of the funds contributed and the amount borrowed will determine the scope of the projects completed as prioritized by the congregation.
ARE WE CERTAIN OF THE NEED FOR A BUILDING PROJECT?
Yes, most definitely! We need to expand, renovate and repair our church facilities to better serve our members, our community and our world. As stewards of a church property constructed many years ago, we need to do our part to keep it in good repair. This is an opportunity for our building to become more welcoming, more inviting, and with better-planned space for our many exciting ministries. As it is, our building is in many ways a barrier to growth in membership. Creating a more suitable facility is a necessary ingredient to the long-term vitality of our church.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF THE THREE-YEAR PERIOD?
In three years, we will evaluate our congregation's financial situation. Depending upon the total cost of the building project and the amount of money borrowed we may need to renew our Building Fund commitments.
WHAT IS THE TIMETABLE FOR CONSTRUCTION?
The timetable for construction will be determined by the voting members of the congregation at the Annual Meeting in January of 2006, after they have reviewed and finalized the building and financing plans.
HOW WILL THE 2006 ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP FUNDS BE USED?
Annual Stewardship funds will allow Gloria Dei Lutheran Church to provide uplifting worship, exciting Christian Education and youth programs, service ministries and fellowship opportunities. Through our Annual Stewardship we commit our full share of mission support to the ELCA, as well as benevolence that supports charitable agencies and local community outreach.
HOW CAN I MAKE MY GIFTS TO THE 2006 ANNUAL STEWARDSHIP FUND & THE BUILDING FUND?
Each household is asked to prayerfully consider two commitments:
2006 Annual Stewardship Commitment - To support the ongoing operating expenses of our church in 2006, we encourage you to commit at least as much as you have in 2005, and increase it if you can.
Building Fund Commitment - We encourage you to make an Initial Gift and a three-year commitment. Initial Gifts are given at the time you make your commitment.
You may fulfill your three-year Building Fund commitment by making gift installments using the new Building Fund offering envelopes that will be mailed to you.
Affordable regular gifts add up to significant contributions to the Building Fund.
| Your Weekly Gift of: | Amounts to an Annual Gift of: | Your 3-year commitment for the Building Fund will add up to: | |
| $10 | $520 | $1,560 | |
| $25 | $1,300 | $3.900 | |
| $70 | $3,640 | $10,920 | |
| $100 | $5,200 | $15,600 |
MAY I MAKE MY CONTRIBUTIONS BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER?
Gloria Dei accepts gifts via pre-authorized withdrawals from your bank account. You determine the frequency, whether weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly. Your gift is deposited in Gloria Dei's account the same day it is withdrawn from yours. You may make both Annual Stewardship and Building Fund contributions by electronic funds transfer. Contact the church office for more informaiton. Either call (630) 968-6231 or e-mail info@gloriadeichurch.org. Information is also available on the website.
WHEN DO MY NEW COMMITMENTS BEGIN?
Building Fund and 2006 Annual Stewardship commitments begin on January 1, 2006. Some may prefer, for tax reasons, to contribute in 2005. The church is glad to receive such gifts and make appropriate notations on giving receipts.
IS MY GIFT TAX DEDUCTIBLE?
Yes, gifts are tax deductible if you itemize your contributions when filing your tax return. If you have questions about the tax implications of your gift, please consult your tax advisor.
MAY I CONTRIBUTE GIFTS OTHER THAN CASH?
Gifts of stock, property, and other securities are most welcome. The church office (630-968-6231) can provide you with an information sheet about brokerage transfers. If you, your financial planner or tax advisor would like to discuss the implications of such gifts with church leadership, please contact Pastor Rothaar. We suggest that deferred gifts (wills, trusts, life insurance) are more appropriately directed to the Endowment Fund than to this Building Fund.
MAY WE ENCOURAGE FRIENDS OF GLORIA DEI LUTHERAN CHURCH TO MAKE A BUILDING FUND GIFT?
Yes, if you would like to encourage a friend, relative or former member to make a financial commitment or a one-time gift, please do so. If you would like us to mail them a brochure and commitment card, please give the name and address to Joyce Pauly, by phone (630-968-6231) or by email (joyce.pauly@gloriadeichurch.org).
HOW CAN I HELP MAKE THIS APPEAL A SUCCESS?
- By prayerfully responding to God's gift of love with your generous gifts
- By attending an Appeal Gathering on Sunday, November 6 at noon or Wednesday, November 16 at 6:30 pm
- By returning your commitment card as part of worship on Commitment Weekend, December 10 & 11
- By praying for the success of our Building Fund & Annual Stewardship Appeal and asking God to bless us as we embrace our past and build our future
