
3 minute read
UPDATE ON THE
by Jeremy and Jordan Teeple
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After much discernment earlier this year, Fr. Casey, the vestry, staff, and the leadership of the Transfiguring Our Foundations Capital Campaign decided to reengage our outside consultants and restart campaign activities. As a reminder, we originally commenced the campaign in February 2020 with the goal of raising $6 million to address a host of capital projects around the campus for essential repairs and improvements and to establish a Capital Sustainability Fund to ensure our ability to fund future maintenance. The capital projects will not only improve the aesthetics of the interior and exterior of the church but will also fund much needed updates to the HVAC, electrical and various technology systems that will enhance the experience for all parishioners and staff. One of the more exciting projects is an expansive renovation of Roper Hall kitchen, which will enrich social gatherings in our church for decades to come.
One of the reasons we were so eager to resume the campaign was the incredible momentum we had established early in 2020, as we had built up a legion of volunteers to help with the campaign and secured pledges from 36 families totalling more than $2.1 million in less than two months’ time. However, as the severity of the pandemic became clear, we decided to suspend the campaign, as the energy of our congregation needed to be focused on the health and safety of our members during those especially trying times. As the pandemic has abated, we have started to meet weekly with volunteers and are reaching out to members of the church asking for their support. The initial response has been overwhelmingly positive, with a recent large gift helping push us near the $5 million mark. As co-Chairs of the campaign along with Jim and Tammy Kirkman, we would be remiss if we didn’t ask that you prayerfully consider what you can contribute to the effort, while understanding that the financial commitment is something that we are asking to be fulfilled over five years. We are also looking for a few more volunteers to help out with the campaign in various capacities. If you would like to hear more about the various ways you can help, or any aspect of the campaign itself, feel free to contact us.
We also want to leave you with a personal note on why we are so passionate about the campaign. When we were asked to be a part of the leadership for the capital campaign by Father Casey, we were honestly a little surprised, but we knew it was an opportunity to give back that we couldn’t pass up. We were also going to have the honor of working alongside Jim and Tammy Kirkman, whom we have admired ever since we started coming to the Fig in 2010. We will never forget that feeling we had after our first visit to the Fig. We had found the most amazing church! It was literally as if we had been a part of the church our entire lives. And what was so special is that it was not just the other families with young children who were so welcoming. Just as much it was the older generations that wanted to know all about us and our children. They took immense pleasure in seeing the church that they helped get off the ground so long ago, and that they had put so much of their time, talent and treasure into, continue to flourish. We and our children have gotten so much out of this church, and we want to be a part of ensuring that for the Fig, the best is yet to come. We owe it to the past and current parishioners that have gotten the church to this point to make the facilities as safe and welcoming as possible and that we have the financial resources to ensure they remain that way. 19
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