CCC NewsNotes May 20, 2001
Member Loans & Pledges for CCC Top $720,000; Budget Hearing May 24; Stewardship Update; Visit To a Changed CCC; Funding Decisions on 6/10; Committee Steers Project; Sunday Aft. Adult Class Chooses Books to Study; Again, Christmas In April Gets the Job Done; Spring Luncheon May 31; Coming Events at CCC; Summer Camp at Shaw; Think School Supplies
Member Loans & Pledges for CCC Top $720,000
There has truly been a wonderful response to the appeal for member loans and pledges; with a magnificent total of more than $720,000! That grand figure includes member loans of $550,000: $215,000 for seven years, $230,000 for five years and $105,000 for two years. In addition, Keystones pledges have risen by more than $170,000 since April 29, with three new pledges and 15 increases in existing pledges.
As we work to successfully conclude our bank financing negotiations, I will write to each participant in the member loan program with information on funding arrangements, etc. Once I have received the loan amount, I will prepare loan certificates. I hope that you will bear with me during this time, as I shall need to arrange a signing time for each loan.
As insurance for our ability to repay loans under special circumstances, or to meet emergency situations, a group of church members has been asked to sign an agreement to provide loans of $10,000 to cover those special needs. So far, responses have reached a total of $50,000. If anyone would like to act as a reserve lender, please let me know.
I wanted to share with you that I have been approached by a number of people who have said that they cannot participate in the loan program, or indeed make more than their present commitment. Although this program may not be right for you, just keep reaching out with your thoughts, encouragement and prayers for all our church leaders, and for a successful outcome to all these efforts.
Neville Platt
The proposed operating budget for the next fiscal year will be discussed on Thurs., May 24 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 204 of Marvin Memorial United Methodist Church. Everyone is encouraged to come and voice any concerns before the final budget is presented for a vote at the annual meeting on June 10.
As of Sun., May 13, the Stewardship Campaign had received pledges totaling $267,424, with over half of those pledges being increases over last year. Thanks to all who pledged; each pledge is welcome and appreciated.
If you haven't received a packet, please call Greg Muncill (301) 565-9441, or Ruth Avery (301) 585-8010, and a packet will be mailed to you. Pledge cards will be available in the pews on Sundays and in the church office.
By the time you receive this notice, the budget hearing already may have happened, but there still is time to get your pledge in before the annual meeting on June 10. Thank you for prayerfully considering your pledge to the operating budget of the church and for your generous gifts of financial support as well as time and talent.
Greg Muncill & Ruth Prindle, Board for Stewardship
There's not much that's recognizable about CCC's former church lounge. The floor has been stripped to bare concrete, and the ceiling tile removed to expose frames hung with wiring and bare electric bulbs.
In fact, it's not even the lounge anymore -- it's the site office for Henry H. Lewis Contractors (HHL). White hard hats are lined up on the bookshelves and sheaves of blueprints hang from racks. There are long tables for work space, telephones, fax machine, filing cabinets and a safe (recycled from CCC's back office).
This was the setting for the first progress meeting May 16 for CCC's renovation. Project Manager Fred Svec convened the meeting of CCC representatives, architect Jonathan Lessem, representatives of three key subcontractors and Mike Grabowski, HHL's site superintendent. Svec said the general contractor's goal is to have the project completed in 11 months.
Grabowski has introduced himself to all the neighbors, provided them with the office's telephone number and invited them to call with concerns or problems during construction. Svec and Grabowski said they planned to install secure fencing to prevent neighborhood children from entering the construction area.
The first tasks of site work have begun. Slashes of orange paint on the grounds and inside the building mark items slated for demolition. White tape indicates what will remain. Once the county's sediment control officer has toured the site and approved plans for soil removal and relocation, clearing trees and demolishing the three houses will begin. Heavy equipment should be on site this week. Svec anticipates starting foundation work in late June.
Jackie Walters, co-chair, Building Design Committee
Funding for CCC's renovation must come from several sources -- Keystones pledges and member loans, a sizable bank loan, a state bond and our cash reserves. The last source is held in several different funds, which include the following: the Property Fund (which consists of accumulated net income from our past rentals of the three houses owned by the church, as well as 9601 Colesville Rd.); the Capital Fund (which has in it some of the proceeds from the sale of the parsonage several years ago); and the Permanent Fund (which is a planned giving fund initiated by a bequest from Marian Tate).
The income from all these funds, as well as the principal of the Property Fund are available for expenditure at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. But the principal of the Capital Fund and the Permanent Fund can't be spent without the congregation's approval.
The trustees may need to use some of the principal of these two funds to cover the costs of renovation. Consequently, the trustees will offer the following two motions at the annual meeting on June 10:
Moved, that the Board of Trustees is authorized at its discretion to use the principal of the Capital Fund for purposes of the renovation of CCC. (Requires a majority vote.)
Moved, that the Board of Trustees is authorized at its discretion to use the principal of the Permanent Fund for purposes of the renovation of CCC. (Requires a two-thirds vote.)
Dave Ackerman, chair, Board of Trustees
Recently, the Executive Council established a Steering Committee to coordinate the various aspects of our building campaign. The committee is comprised of the chairs of the Building & Design, Financial Fulfillment, Special Gifts, Membership Loan and Follow-Up Committees, as well as the chair of the Board of Trustees, the communications officer, Keystones and News Notes editors, moderator and moderator-elect.
The purpose of the committee is twofold -- to provide internal communication between the various groups, and to plan and provide for communicating to the congregation about the project's various aspects. Trish Esposito and Terry Strand are co-chairs of this group.
Please feel free to contact them if you have any comments or suggestions to make during this exciting time in our community.
Terry Strand, co-chair, Steering Committee
Sunday Aft. Adult Class Chooses Books to Study
The Sunday afternoon adult class will continue meeting during the summer, and it has selected three books to study during the summer, fall and winter. The course of study is as follows:
For this summer, Rabbi Harold Kushner's "To Life! A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking."
For the fall, Marcus Borg's "Reading the Bible Again for the First Time."
For next winter, John Dominick Crossan's "Who Killed Jesus: Exposing the Roots of Anti-Semitism in the Gospel Story of the Death of Jesus."
Kushner's "To Life!" is easy to read and is intended to minimize the preparation required for summer class discussions, allowing people to attend whenever they wish to do so without having to worry about keeping up with material when they miss class. A sign-up sheet is on the CCC bulletin board at Marvin Memorial for those who would like to order this book, at a cost of $13.25 or less.
As always, the class welcomes visitors and is open to anyone who would like to participate. Thanks to funding from the deacons, extra copies of the book being studied will be available for visitors to borrow for class discussion.
Jim Conklin
Again, Christmas In April Gets the Job Done
This year marked the fifth anniversary of another successful Christmas In April operation sponsored by CCC with the help of volunteers from First Baptist Church in Silver Spring.
There were nearly 50 volunteers of all ages who worked on April 21 to rebuild the sub-flooring in the bathroom, paint the front porch, build drain ditches outdoors, tear down a shed, prepare multiple rooms for painting, remove walls in the basement and paint the floor.
On April 28, seven First Baptist Church volunteers replaced the floors in the kitchen, bathroom, living room and bedrooms. Ten CCC volunteers finished the painting, electrical work and rebuilt a kitchen.
These dedicated volunteers helped make the event a successful and positive experience. Your hard work was much appreciated, and we are looking forward to seeing you next April!
Jennie Breads, Christmas In April Committee
Plan to attend the Spring Luncheon on Thurs., May 31 from noon to 3 p.m. in the Social Hall of Marvin Memorial United Methodist Church at the corner of Rt. 29 and University Blvd. East. Enjoy this time to visit with friends over lunch, followed by a very special program.
Pat O'Connor and John Touchton will present selections of spring music. William Amoss will speak about the work of the Vishnevskaya-Rostropovich Foundation.
The foundation was created by Mstislav Rostropovich and his wife Galina Vishnevskaya to improve the delivery of health care to the children of Russia in the aftermath of the political and economic changes that have occurred in that country. Mr. Amoss has traveled extensively in Russia since the mid-1970';s and will comment on his experiences of the people and life in that country today.
RSVP by May 25 to Mabel Elliott (301) 622-3174, or Dale Ostrander (301) 585-4640, ext. 226.
Plan to join us for this special time together!
Dale Ostrander
There will be a meeting of parents of young people in grades 7-12 next school year on Tues., May 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Hamilton Hall at Marvin Memorial UMC to discuss the various youth programs available at CCC in the fall.
Church potluck supper on Sun., June17 following worship at Marvin Memorial UMC. Those whose names begin with "A" through "F" should bring salads or vegetable dishes, "G" through "M" should bring main dishes and "N" through "Z" should bring dessert. The Board for Church Life will furnish bread and drinks.
The Sunday evening book discussion group will meet July 8 at 6 p.m. at the home of Marilyn Meyer, 1045 Cresthaven Dr., Silver Spring. We will discuss the book, "The Beekeeper's Apprentice," by Laurie King. Bring a sandwich, beverage and dessert will be served. Mark your calendar now.
It's that time again. Shaw Community Ministry is seeking donations for "camperships" from members of Potomac Association churches for the children of Lincoln-Westmoreland Housing at 7th and R Sts., NW in the District. Approximately 35 children will participate in the six-week day camp to be held at the Lincoln-Westmoreland complex this coming summer. They will be treated to a wonderful variety of experiences, including arts and crafts projects, cooking classes, games, on-site educational activities with guest speakers and numerous field trips. The funds raised by SCM each year are used in large part to meet the costs of transporting the children on field trips to museums, zoos, swimming pools, and athletic events both in DC and elsewhere, and for special programs at the camp site.
The cost for six weeks of such activities is about $60 per child. If you are interested in funding all or part of a campership, please make your check payable to Shaw Community Ministry, indicate that it be used for camp expenses, and send it to Anne Weissenborn, 10021 Raynor Rd., Silver Spring, MD 20901. I represent CCC on the SCM board of directors and serve as treasurer of the organization. All donations will be greatly appreciated.
Anne Weissenborn, Shaw Community Ministry
Community Ministry of Montgomery County has an Interfaith Clothing Center that is sponsoring a "Back To School Supply Drive." New school supplies will be distributed to needy children in August. Last year, donations enabled the group to distribute 1,278 backpacks filled with age-appropriate materials. For more information, call Julie Maltzman at (301) 424-3796, ext. 6.
News Notes Deadlines
The deadline for the June 5 issue will be Thursday, May 31 at 5 p.m. News Notes editor -- Susan DeFord (301) 649-3093, or sjdkjk@erols.com
CCC Staff
The Rev. Jim Todhunter, senior minister; the Rev. Linda Carder, assoc. minister; John Touchton,
director of music; the Rev. Dale Ostrander, director of programming for older adults; Toby Ratcliffe, church school coordinator; Richard Meyer, property administrator; Ruth Avery, office administrator.