Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Building Update
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September 2007 |
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Second Sanctuary Door Progress |
Building the Confirmation Class |
Outside Progress |
Day-By-Day Updates (scroll down for the building committee's monthly update)
Friday, September 2007: The first two Sanctuary doors are nearly finished and the third outside door has been cut. The office staff have almost completely moved into the two temporary trailers and permitting has progressed for the playground area.
Thursday, September 13, 2007: Today we passed the electrical inspection for the trailers which we hope means we may occupy the trailers. The office staff are ready to settle into temporary space in Trailer #2 and Adult Education is looking forward to using Trailer #1 for their group meetings. Plumbers continue to hook up the temporary water and sewer lines along Rt. 355.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007: Internet service continues to be disabled however we look forward to the repair technician to work out our problem tomorrow. We are so thankful to construction plumbers led by Doug, who graciously helped us pinpoint the sewer problems today which were in the preschool area sewer lines. We also give thanks for Ernie Kessler, our Building Committee Chairman, who celebrates a birthday today.
Monday, September 24, 2007: Masonry work continues around the two new installed doors to the Sanctuary to prepare the surface for carpeting.
September Update - We entered spring 2007 with ambitious hopes and dreams for our building project:
- sign a construction contract /Total Construction Services
- close on a loan package
- rejoice and give thanks during a groundbreaking/fellowship-hall-farewell service
- satisfy all permitting requirements (demolition, building and site work)
- cut three new doors in the sanctuary and reconfigure our worship space
- move administrative offices to onsite temporary trailers
- construct a storm water management (SWM) system under the preschool playground
- remove all equipment from the fellowship hall
- relocate all utilities (water, sewer, electricity, telephone, and internet) into the part of the building that will remain begin new bathrooms
We hoped to get all of these things accomplished before the start of our fall 2007 church year.
As you look around our church building, it should be obvious to you that many of our springtime dreams have not been totally completed. We are entering the fall season in a more uncomfortable and unsettled state than we had anticipated. Most of the things at the top of the list are or are nearly completed. The new doors for the sanctuary are started. The office trailers are on site, but not ready for occupancy. The playground has been removed, but the SWM trench is not in place yet. Much of the fellowship hall equipment has been removed. Work has begun on relocating the utilities.
Although we are a bit behind the ambitious schedule we set for our building project, our building project has encountered no major obstacles. Yes, approvals and delivery of special materials take longer than anticipated. Utilities companies are not as prompt as desired. But there is measurable daily progress on all pre-demolition tasks.
The building committee continues to steer a patient, but firm course. Conversations with the builder, the site engineer, the utilities, the loan officers, and the Gaithersburg City Planning and Code are a daily occurrence. Our paid staff (particularly Pastor Dave, Carolyn, and Vicki) is responding on a daily basis to building items. Building a church is different from any other building project and executing a project that begins with a demolition is even more difficult. Good Shepherd is a mega-sized family working together to build a facility that will support a whole host of different ministries. I personally ask that everyone in the congregation display an extra measure of patience as we reconfigure our facilities in preparation for demolition. Be as patient and willing to help as you would be if your family were moving into a new home. There are a number of hands-on projects that must be completed very soon. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated (email or call Penny Risen risenpb@aol.com or 301-977-9159). Help is also needed to move our offices to the trailers. Please call Carolyn or Vicki at 301-869-1780.
Building Committee Update – September 2007
Ernie Kessler – Building Committee Chair
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Last Updated: 04/11/08 08:03 AM