Building Committee – 4^th Meeting:  Oct. 25, 2006

Narrative & Minutes Building Committee … Messiah United Methodist Church

Building Committee Members per Aug. 20, 2006 Church Conference are Betty Jane Wyrick, Howard Albrecht, Heather Deutsch, and Kevin Plasterer.  Meetings are open to all who desire to attend.

ALL members of the Committee attended, except K. Plasterer.  Pastor Howell convened.

Members of the congregation in attendance:  Marlin Johnson and Frank Alexander. 

The meeting was convened at 7:05 p.m. by Pastor Howell.  The committee returned to its focus through the Genesis reading on “building” and the Tower of Babel.  We continue in prayer and with the Scripture reminder from Psalm 127. 

The Committee:

1) Reviewed its time with Blain Bargo from the Oct. 18 meeting.  Comments & consensus was that Mr. Bargo offered vital information on key decisions facing us, educated Committee members on numerous fronts regarding building/renovation, and further helped us with focus.

2) The Committee proceeded to discuss areas of: Priority/phasing; architect-driven or contractor-driven, how we might proceed, etc.

Consensus was that it might be best to prioritize areas for work, with a list beginning to formulate as follows:

1. Fellowship Hall as #1

2. Accessibility Issues throughout as #2 (which may involve the Atrium possibility)

3)  The Committee agreed on a plan of process for the next meeting, Nov. 8.  This will include focusing on each area, beginning with Fellowship Hall & Kitchen, continuing with Evangel Center, worship space, and Atrium possibilities – and in each area work through the four aspects of project discussion as outlined by Mr. Bargo.  Those areas involve defining define purpose/goals as they fall under the following:

a) enhance ministry

b) accessibility

c) atmosphere

d) expansion of ministry

With each area, Building Committee members are asked to list out the things in each location that currently inhibit ministry enhancement, accessibility, atmosphere, and ministry expansion.  From those “negatives,” the group will be able to follow Mr. Bargo’s recmmention for decision on design or need (see minutes from Oct. 18 meeting).

4) The Committee decided that following these discussion outlined in #3, it would most likely formally decide on how to proceed in collecting information and contacting either a contractor(s) or architect(s) for initial interview and exchange of information to date.

5) All members had opportunity to comment in these items, and a note from Kevin Plasterer was shared as well in his absence.

6) Discussion again occurred on the possible need to expand the number of persons serving on the Building Committee.  No formal decision was made on this area, although consensus was that such a move would be prudent.  The Committee is open to hear from congregation members who may have interest in serving on the Committee. 

7) The next meeting is Wed., Nov. 8, 6:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.