Dear Christian brothers and sisters,
This Sunday we plan to collect the enclosed pledge cards, asking for anticipated contributions toward our three current mission-vital projects. They are:
1. 123 W. Oglethorpe Ave. parking lot
2. 18 W. Hull Street
3. The main building at Point Pleasant
These three projects represent opportunities to deal with the "chokepoints" limiting the ministry our church: parking downtown (adding 60 parking spots), securing contiguous property, and seating space at Point Pleasant (adding 100 seats).
The Numbers
We are asking for a significant but not insurmountable amount of money:
Funds needed:
$6,500,000 - 123 W. Oglethorpe building and parking lot
$1,000,000 - Point Pleasant main building
$850,000 - 18 W. Hull Street
$500,000 - Renovation of W. Hull Street
=$8,850,000
Funds anticipated or received:
$3,700,000 - Gifts, pledges, trust funds already received
$2,500,000 - Sale potential of 123 W. Oglethorpe building
=$6,200,000
Additional funding needed:
$2,650,000
(This compares with the former target of $4.5 million)
Point Pleasant was added to this fund-raising effort because the alternative was to wait three years to do the work of expanding Point Pleasant when the need for space is immediate.
The total amount of new gifts and pledges needed is $2.65 million. For those able to give in the next 30 days, that would be helpful to reduce the loan we will secure on the day of the closing.
The Event
We are not planning a specific fund-raising event. We are proceeding with no fanfare. There will be no bells and whistles. We are not hiring a fundraiser, or producing fancy brochures. We simply will be collecting pledge cards and gifts at the conclusion of a regular Sunday morning service. This, it seems to me, is in keeping with the character of our congregation. We will treat our people like members to persuade, not consumers to manipulate. We will appeal to your consciences, not stir up your emotions as we make known the need.
Our History
The population of Savannah in 1820, according to U.S. census data, was 7,523. Yet our forefathers built a house of worship that could seat 1,000 worshipers. Note: a bare 90 years after Savannah was settled, with slim resources, they constructed a large, beautiful, and expensive building. Our forefathers and foremothers were visionaries. A generation later they rebuilt both the sanctuary and the current administration building in the period of 1889-1894 when the population was still a comparatively meager 43,000. According to the 2020 census the population of the city of Savannah is 147, 780, more than triple its size in 1890. More importantly, the size of the Savannah metro area is now 404, 798! This number is nearly 150,000 more than in 1990, and 100,000 more than in 2000. Some projections predict another 100,000 new residents in the next few years. We have tried to address this growth by helping plant churches in Richmond Hill, Pooler, Wilmington Island, Skidaway Island (now Ardsley Park), Okatie, and Bluffton. Yet anchoring all this suburban activity is our church downtown. Humanly speaking, if the Reformed Faith is to thrive in the greater Savannah area, we must thrive. We must have a vision for growth in Savannah.
Our Future
For us to keep pace with our spiritual ancestors and Savannah's ongoing growth it will be necessary for us to dig deeply into our pockets and give sacrificially. We will need both the "widow's mite" and the deep pockets of the "Rich Young Ruler."
Let each one of us ask: With what measure of wealth has God entrusted me? What am I to do with it? What are my priorities? What will be my legacy? Will I lay up treasures on earth or in heaven? Together let's lay a foundation for the well-being of our church for decades to come.
Visit the link below "Give Today or Make a Pledge" to share how you plan to participate.
Terry L. Johnson
This Sunday we plan to collect the enclosed pledge cards, asking for anticipated contributions toward our three current mission-vital projects. They are:
1. 123 W. Oglethorpe Ave. parking lot
2. 18 W. Hull Street
3. The main building at Point Pleasant
These three projects represent opportunities to deal with the "chokepoints" limiting the ministry our church: parking downtown (adding 60 parking spots), securing contiguous property, and seating space at Point Pleasant (adding 100 seats).
The Numbers
We are asking for a significant but not insurmountable amount of money:
Funds needed:
$6,500,000 - 123 W. Oglethorpe building and parking lot
$1,000,000 - Point Pleasant main building
$850,000 - 18 W. Hull Street
$500,000 - Renovation of W. Hull Street
=$8,850,000
Funds anticipated or received:
$3,700,000 - Gifts, pledges, trust funds already received
$2,500,000 - Sale potential of 123 W. Oglethorpe building
=$6,200,000
Additional funding needed:
$2,650,000
(This compares with the former target of $4.5 million)
Point Pleasant was added to this fund-raising effort because the alternative was to wait three years to do the work of expanding Point Pleasant when the need for space is immediate.
The total amount of new gifts and pledges needed is $2.65 million. For those able to give in the next 30 days, that would be helpful to reduce the loan we will secure on the day of the closing.
The Event
We are not planning a specific fund-raising event. We are proceeding with no fanfare. There will be no bells and whistles. We are not hiring a fundraiser, or producing fancy brochures. We simply will be collecting pledge cards and gifts at the conclusion of a regular Sunday morning service. This, it seems to me, is in keeping with the character of our congregation. We will treat our people like members to persuade, not consumers to manipulate. We will appeal to your consciences, not stir up your emotions as we make known the need.
Our History
The population of Savannah in 1820, according to U.S. census data, was 7,523. Yet our forefathers built a house of worship that could seat 1,000 worshipers. Note: a bare 90 years after Savannah was settled, with slim resources, they constructed a large, beautiful, and expensive building. Our forefathers and foremothers were visionaries. A generation later they rebuilt both the sanctuary and the current administration building in the period of 1889-1894 when the population was still a comparatively meager 43,000. According to the 2020 census the population of the city of Savannah is 147, 780, more than triple its size in 1890. More importantly, the size of the Savannah metro area is now 404, 798! This number is nearly 150,000 more than in 1990, and 100,000 more than in 2000. Some projections predict another 100,000 new residents in the next few years. We have tried to address this growth by helping plant churches in Richmond Hill, Pooler, Wilmington Island, Skidaway Island (now Ardsley Park), Okatie, and Bluffton. Yet anchoring all this suburban activity is our church downtown. Humanly speaking, if the Reformed Faith is to thrive in the greater Savannah area, we must thrive. We must have a vision for growth in Savannah.
Our Future
For us to keep pace with our spiritual ancestors and Savannah's ongoing growth it will be necessary for us to dig deeply into our pockets and give sacrificially. We will need both the "widow's mite" and the deep pockets of the "Rich Young Ruler."
Let each one of us ask: With what measure of wealth has God entrusted me? What am I to do with it? What are my priorities? What will be my legacy? Will I lay up treasures on earth or in heaven? Together let's lay a foundation for the well-being of our church for decades to come.
Visit the link below "Give Today or Make a Pledge" to share how you plan to participate.
Terry L. Johnson