A basement in the process of resurrection.

On Monday, we began demolition in the lower hall of our parish house. Our basement has a history of life and vitality in our congregation. Folding walls made up the classrooms for our Sunday School. Meals were prepared and served there, especially leading up to the famous St. Paul’s Fair. It has been the home of our Scouting program for many years.

Unfortunately, the lower hall has slid into disrepair and disuse. It went from a lively space to a yucky old basement. It’s been clear for a long time that something needed to change. But what? And, more importantly, why?

Our vestry began to ask the question, “What is God’s Dream for St. Paul’s?.” Together, we dreamed of a place where meals could once again be prepared and served. We dreamed of a place where young people in our town could safely gather after school. We dreamed of a place where anyone could find a meal, make a friend, and experience belonging. We looked at a broken down basement and saw the possibility and potential for resurrection and new life.

For the past two years we have been talking with you about our dream, and have learned that this is your dream too. Thanks to the faithful work of our Building Project Committee and the generosity of several donors who have made lead gifts to make it possible to start turning our dreams into reality.

This week those dreams look like a dumpster filled with debris. They look like old classroom divider walls coming down, broken cabinets removed, leaky plumbing fixed. In the weeks and months to come, we will watch as the debris is carted out and the new building materials are loaded in.

In time we will see the transformation of the basement (including two beautiful new bathrooms), our upstairs bathrooms, the Pearson Room, and the stairwells. Our goal is that we will be able to rededicate our Lower Hall and new bathrooms by Labor Day.

We know that construction can get messy. The process of change can be uncomfortable and disorienting. We ask that everyone be as patient as possible during the mess and change, trusting that the end result will be worth the discomfort!

That’s why we want to keep you posted on the week-by-week developments here in the newsletter. We hope that by sharing the progress each week you can enjoy the process of transformation, and enjoy the final product even more.

The center of everything we do at St. Paul’s is Christ’s love for the world. We believe that this renovation will help us to better live out our mission to be the Hands and Feet of Christ in the Heart of Our Community.

Faithfully,

Rev. Tuesday+