Open Letter from the Trustees
The Trustees would first like to thank everyone for their support and cooperation. A lot of you have helped with the dirty job of sorting, salvaging, and discarding fire and water and smoke damaged items. We want to ask that everyone continue to be patient with us. We are doing the best we can under very difficult circumstances. Many decisions have to be made quickly to comply with Health and Building Codes and no matter what we decide, it’s likely someone will misunderstand our intentions and reasons and become unhappy.
In just one month we have made a great deal of progress, as reflected in the weekly progress reports you are given each Sunday. Things are moving more slowly now because we have to work with the Insurance company to make sure we get the best settlement and we must also comply with the Conference standards.
One of the first Conference requirements, before we even begin work on the design concept for our new sanctuary is putting into place our vision for the ministry, future growth and needs of our congregation. Pastor Dennis is working on this now. Please trust him to bring this to you for your ideas and input at the earliest time possible. Remember that this is at least a two-year project and we’re only beginning our second month since the fire.
Following are several questions the Trustees have all been asked many times. We’ve tried to provide what answers we can at this point, and we’ll give you more answers as soon as we can. Please be patient.
1. Why do we have to take everything out of the classrooms?
A. We have to thoroughly wash down all walls, shelves, floors, etc. to eliminate smoke residue and odors to provide a healthy environment for everyone.
2. Why are we in such a big hurry to get all the offices and classrooms cleaned up now, before asbestos abatement is done. Won’t we just have to do it again?
A. The Rendall’s motorhome that we’ve been using as an office will no longer be available because it must be winterized. Jerry and Brenda have been most gracious to lend it to us for this difficult period. We now need to get back into the Office right away. We don’t have to do any asbestos abatement in these rooms, so Mishawaka will give us a limited occupancy permit when we get their offices cleaned up and sealed off from the rest of the church. Then, Pastor Dennis, Sandy, and Warren will be able to get back into their offices so they can continue their work.
3. How long will asbestos abatement take? When will it start?
A. We’ve had three bids and will choose a company as soon as possible. However, they may not be able to start immediately. That’s puts us into December and the Christmas season.
4. We still don’t understand why we’re in such a rush to wash classroom walls, floors, etc. What’s the hurry, what about the asbestos danger?
A. Only the hall ceilings have asbestos in them and it’s a minute amount (around 3%). We have been assured that we can clean the classrooms safely and then seal them off so no asbestos residue will get into the rooms. A great many churches and organizations have offered us much needed help now, and they probably won’t be available during the Christmas season.
B. Cleaning the floors of grime and debris now before we get a lot of foot traffic will prevent grit and dirt from tracking in and penetrating the tile in the classrooms, etc. It will also make the cleanup after abatement easier and faster (and that will probably save the church some money.)
C. Granger Community Church will be sending a very large work crew here on November 11th. They will wash down walls and floors, rake leaves, etc. We need to take advantage of this opportunity because it is unlikely we have 50 members physically able to do this work who aren’t working full time jobs. Also we have to keep our property up and that includes getting the leaves raked and disposed of before snow falls.
5. Why the hurry to get our worship services back into our own building?
A. We want to keep our members and ministry as active as possible in our own church. Battell Center is not as convenient for the choir, praise team, musicians, etc. who must constantly move their equipment and rehearsals. Also our out-reach missions are in borrowed quarters.
B. We would really like to get back into our own building the week before Christmas so we can have services there, but we are working on God’s timetable, not ours. If He wills it, we’ll be home for Christmas!
Trustees:
Dick Frantz, Chair
Ivan Mark
Jim Parker
Betty Reaker