July 27, 2010
Dear Members,
On July 21st, the congregation voted overwhelmingly to move ahead with capital expenditures related to the construction of the Learning Center and the renovation of the current administration building. On this night, 210 members made their way to the Chapel to vote. There was a spirit of progress as the group gathered over ice cream and brownies to celebrate the results.
Hundreds of people have spent thousands of hours to get the project this far, but there is more work to do as we enter the pre-construction phase. In the days ahead the Chapel’s leadership will be active in working through the required approvals with the Village Council, Historic Commission and County officials. They will refine the details of the building design and develop the engineering drawings needed to prepare for construction bids. However, no major changes are expected for size or scope of the facilities.
The Chapel has received firm pledges for approximately 60 percent of our goal of $5.3 million. We continue to make visits, to document gifts, and to broaden our communications. This excellent beginning shows that the Chapel can reach the goal.
We will, however, need the help of all of the congregation members to make this dream a reality. Many of you have already responded to the call to build a Christian education facility. Now it is time for all of us to consider or reconsider our commitment to the capital campaign. Whether you can give now or pledge a gift over time, your commitment will help us reach the goal.
In the coming weeks, you will hear more about the Learning Center and the ways you might support the project. In the meantime, members of the Campaign Committee stand ready to visit with you or talk with you on the phone to provide information on the many giving options available. Please let us hear from you. Contact us: Pastor Larry (295-6003.), Jack Raffaele (295-3031), or Toby Wells (690-4122).
Thank you for your part in the Learning Center and for all you do to enrich the life of our Chapel and community.
Sincerely,
Larry H. Ellis, Senior Pastor
Jack Raffaele, Chairman, Board of Trustees
Toby Wells, Chairman, Building Committee
July 22, 2010
Dear Members,
Many of you were present for last night's Chapel Congregational Meeting, but for those who were unable to be in attendance, I wanted to inform you of the results of our vote. As you will recall, the Board of Trustees recommended the congregation approve our proposed plan to construct a Chapel Learning Center, with an estimated budget of 5.3 million dollars, for all facets of the construction. We have made every effort to ensure that the congregation has had ample opportunity to see and understand both the process and the projected design of our Learning Center.
Last night was a night of celebration and decision. The mood of the congregation was jubilant. In strict accordance with our By-laws, the vote was conducted with written ballots. The final tally was 182 for the Chapel Learning Center, with 28 opposed, a majority of 86%.
The congregational approval was a critical and required milestone. We are grateful that the support for the project was so overwhelmingly positive. There are still a number of gates through which we must pass. However, I am confident the approvals we need and the decisions that will be necessary will be forthcoming. I am grateful for the strong leadership of our Board of Trustees. There have been thousands of hours of labor and planning. Hundreds of our members have given unstintingly to bring this critical need for our congregation one step closer to reality. By our faithful labor to the glory of God, the spiritual growth of our Chapel congregation will be greatly facilitated, and the spiritual health of our community strengthened for the generations that will follow us.
May God continue to guide and direct our efforts and may His blessing overshadow all that we do for His glory.
In Christ's service,
Larry H. Ellis
Senior Pastor
A lengthy public hearing on The Village Chapel’s request for a Major Special Use Project,(The Chapel Learning Center) was concluded on Tuesday 6 July. The Council will consider our request and likely make a decision next month.
We are hopeful they will see fit to grant approval. At the same time three congregational informational meetings have been held, and we will have a congregational meeting on Wednesday 21 July for the congregation to ask questions and to render their judgment.
There are still a number of gates through which we must pass to see the Learning Center become a reality. If we do receive approval by the Council and the congregation, we will still have to present our case for Historical review, and develop and submit detailed engineering plans for the Village’s approval. If all goes well, actual construction is still many months away.
This is a complex project and has consumed thousands of hours of prayer and planning by hundreds of our membership. God has already opened many doors and we believe that we are joining Him in this effort to make our efforts to teach the Gospel and deepen our spiritual lives more effective. We hope all of our membership will be present for the important congregational meeting on 21 July, 2010.
Dr. Larry Ellis
Senior Pastor
