CreatingTomorrow

The 3-year Join Hands & Build phase of PHUMC's Master Plan was a huge success between November, 2002 to November, 2005.

PHUMC is now involved in the second phase, Creating Tomorrow Today, November, 2005 through December, 2008. Watch this website for developments. To see photographs from Commitment Weekend in November, 2005, click here.

Additional information is below.

Creating Tomorrow Today is the second phase of our building program. Members made pledges totaling $5.2 million in late 2005 toward construction that began in the spring of 2006. Anyone who wishes to pledge may call (501) 664-3600 and ask for a commitment card for Creating Tomorrow Today.

Information from the 2005 campaign is included below.

Sub-titled “Invite All to Christ,” this effort is a major step toward the completion of our facilities master plan that will ensure that we fulfill our mission: Growing in Christ . . . a community called to love and serve God and neighbor.

God continues to bless our efforts by adding new members to our church family each week. New ministries, including additional Bible studies, Sunday School Classes, small groups and mission efforts, provide opportunities for persons to grow in faith and service to Christ. Your generous gifts and tithes to our ministries/operating budget support these and other ministries. A second-mile effort is required for future facility needs.

Creating Tomorrow Today: Invite All to Christ is the means by which we can step forward and fulfill the financial needs for additional space. Every household is asked to prayerfully to consider making a sacrificial commitment over and above ongoing tithes and offerings for the next three years, 2006-09. Creating Tomorrow Today is a significant step to the future God has in mind for us.

These are exciting days in our church! Our gracious God has granted each of us the privilege of being a part of a fellowship where the Spirit is growing. The privilege comes with a responsibility of sharing our blessing with others. To the glory of God, we will step forward in faith and Invite All to Christ.

If you need information on Creating Tomorrow Today, please call the church at (501)664-3600. We will be happy to mail materials to you.

CREATING TOMORROW TODAY

Invite All to Christ

Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:7-8

THE OPPORTUNITY

God has been using Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church to make a difference in Little Rock for nearly 100 years. While PHUMC enjoys a rich history, the church realizes that its ability to impact the world with a biblical message of Christ in the future is what matters most.

As our church membership and ministries grow, providing adequate facilities will be a major steppingstone for the future. Our ability to fulfill our goal to Invite All to Christ is dependent on facilities to accommodate ministries and people of all ages. We are the building blocks Creating Tomorrow Today.

THE CURRENT NEED

Phase 2 of the PHUMC Master Plan (approved in 2002) includes:

(a) renovation of the Norma Story Children’s Building;

(b) renovation of the Main Building first floor and reception/office area;

(d) construction of an entry/gathering area for greeting guests and for fellowship

(e) construction of a skywalk between Wesley Hall and the Main Building;

(d) debt reduction of Phase 1.

THE COST

The total pledged will cover construction costs of approximately $5.2 million and $2.2 million of existing debt and interest from Phase 1 construction (Disciple Center and parking deck).

THE FIRST STEPS

PRAY for God’s blessings on the Creating Tomorrow Today campaign. Pray for church member volunteers who are leading the way. Pray for each member to give generously.

BELIEVE that God is leading us to plan for the future, to reach out to the community, to invite all to Christ.

VOLUNTEER to help with the follow-up portion of the campaign. Call the church at 664-3600 and ask how you may serve.

ATTEND meetings regarding Creating Tomorrow Today. Receive information and express your opinion.

COMMIT. Prayerfully consider what God is calling you to do and asking you to give.

REJOICE in this opportunity for Creating Tomorrow Today!

CONTRIBUTIONS

Not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice describes our understanding of stewardship and the Biblical principle of proportionate giving. Therefore, we encourage an equal sense of commitment and sacrifice throughout the congregation, with each person prayerfully determining what it means to sacrifice and how each one may help in Creating Tomorrow Today.

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old

has passed away; see, everything has become new!

2 Corinthians 5:17

DATES TO REMEMBER

Watch the Tower newsletter for the date of a Church Conference in 2006 for consideration of the next phase of Creating Tomorrow Today.

QUICK FACTS – Questions and Answers

CREATING TOMORROW TODAY

Invite All to Christ

God has been using Pulaski Heights United Methodist church to make a difference in the greater Little Rock area for nearly 100 years. It all began with a handful of people with a desire for serving God and neighbor.

In 1912, PHUMC was organized with 47 members in what was then the western outskirts of Little Rock. The present sanctuary was built in 1950. Since then the church has grown steadily and continued to build more facilities. At the turn of the millennium, membership had reached more than 3,000 and is approaching 4,000 today.

While Pulaski Heights UMC enjoys a rich history, the church realizes that its ability to impact the world with a biblical message of Christ in the future is what matters most. The congregation attempts to embody the great commission of Christ – to make disciples, to baptize and teach.

As our church membership and ministries grow, providing adequate facilities will be a major stepping stone for the future. Our ability to fulfill our mission to Invite All to Christ is dependent on facilities to accommodate ministries and people of all ages.

Each church member has a chance to make a difference. If each one accepts one small piece of the project for Creating Tomorrow TODAY, then together we can accomplish the enormous undertaking. Created in God’s image, we are the building blocks.

Q. What are the needs?

A. Phase 2 of the PHUMC Master Plan (approved in 2002) includes:

(a) renovation of the Norma Story Children’s Building;

(b) renovation of the Main Building first floor and reception/office area;

(d) construction of an entry/gathering area for greeting guests and for fellowship

(e) construction of a skywalk between Wesley Hall and the Main Building;

(d) debt reduction of Phase 1.

Q. How much will it cost?

A. An approximate total of $6.8 million will cover construction costs of approximately $4.6 million and approximately $2.2 million of existing debt and interest from Phase 1 construction (Disciple Center and parking deck).

Q. Do we really need to build more now?

A. If we want to merely maintain what we’re doing now, the answer would be “no.” but if we envision the impact our church can have on tomorrow, the answer is “Yes!” Our church has grown and expanded multiple times over the years.

Q. What does the Norma Story Children’s Building need?

A. Issues include the safety of children, energy efficiency, new equipment, accreditation and improved ministries in an attractive, modern setting. The current facility, built in 1957, needs updated heating and cooling equipment, plumbing, electricity, lighting. Accreditation for weekday preschool ministries requires a restroom in each classroom. Renovation will include asbestos removal, new flooring, energy efficient windows, paint, furnishings and other improvements.

Q. What does the Main Building need?

A. The first floor needs additional, improved space for music ministries and staff. The current enrollment in music ministries is 260 for all choirs. Adventures in the Arts includes 280 students and instructors. The renovated space will include rehearsal rooms for adult choirs, children’s choirs, youth choirs and handbell choirs. Space also will be allocated for a music library, robe storage and music staff offices.

Q. Why do we need an entry/gathering space?

A. A beautiful new entryway with a baptismal font will facilitate outreach to the community and our efforts to make new disciples. Appropriate space is important if we are to Invite All to Christ. When guests approach our campus now, they are confused about where to enter. Entryways are crowded. A new front entry on Woodlawn will be a central point for welcoming guests, for distributing information about ministries and opportunities, for gathering before and after worship services. An attractive reception space may be used following worship services, for weddings and for funerals. It will provide space to accommodate sanctuary overflow, equipped with video and audio equipment.

Q. Why do we need to renovate and expand the current office and reception area?

A. Improved space will facilitate the growth of ministries and also facilitate making new disciples for Christ. Additional work space addresses the needs for adequate staff offices, a larger workroom/mailroom, additional storage, conference areas, waiting areas and additional restrooms near the sanctuary. Improvements will aid traffic flow from the sanctuary throughout the facilities. The current reception area will be enlarged. A new two-story office extension between the Main Building and the Story Building will include a large workroom/mailroom, break room, eleven offices and a conference room.

Q. Why do we need a skywalk?

A. A second-level protected access between the Main Building and the Disciple Center will improve traffic flow, accessibility from the parking lot for all, and handicap accessibility utilizing existing elevators. Transportation between the sanctuary, kitchen, offices, nurseries, Helping Hands Respite Care, Faulkner Hall, Wesley Hall and the One Way Café will be greatly improved. The skywalk will connect with a new two-level east entry to the Main Building, which will be accessible from the drive court and the playground. The skywalk will enhance the security of children on weekdays and accommodate older adults in their efforts to get from their cars to worship services and classes.

Q. What should my contribution be?

A. Not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice is a phrase that describes our understanding of stewardship and the Biblical principle of proportionate giving. Using the Biblical model of giving, we are not asking every family to give an equal share, but to consider making an equal sacrifice. Scripture teaches us that God does not bless the amount of our gifts, but the proportion offered in relation to what we've been given and the attitude of our hearts. Every family and every member at PHUMC has been blessed in many ways and each should prayerfully consider what his or her sacrifice should be. While not everyone has the resources to make a million dollar gift, every person can make a prayerful, sacrificial gift. Each of these is significant in the eyes of God. Therefore, we will be encouraging an equal sense of commitment and sacrifice throughout the congregation, with each person prayerfully determining what it means to sacrifice and how each one may help in Creating Tomorrow TODAY.

Q. How will we let the church know our individual financial commitments to the campaign?

A. We have been using commitment cards and will continue to accept them. Each individual or family may fill out a card as a simple statement of intent over a three-year period (2006-2009). The card is not a contract. However, knowledge of what to expect is critical to planning wisely for future expenditures.

Q. Is my commitment confidential?

A. Yes, the amount of giving is kept confidential.

Q. If necessary, can I change my commitment?

A. Of course. God may bless you financially so that you may give even more. Also, we know that changing circumstances may force you to lower your pledge.

Q. I am already giving to the church. Should I re-direct my giving to support the Creating Tomorrow Today campaign?

A. The church’s day-to-day operations are covered by our general budget. We must continue to balance our budget during the three-year campaign. Every dollar you give to this campaign should be a gift over and above your current giving.

Q. How often will I give?

A. You determine your giving schedule, but we encourage you to make it regular. Most people decide what they will give monthly, weekly, or quarterly. Others make one large gift once a year.

Q. When does giving begin?

A. The three-year giving for Phase 2 of the master plan began January 1, 2006. You may join the giving at any time.

Q. When would construction begin?

A. Construction could start as early as the spring of 2006.

Q. What if we do not raise all the money?

A. Our focus and expectation is that God will provide everything we need! God may even go beyond our expectations and needs. Should that not be the case, we have several options. The architect and contractor are prepared to approach the master plan as a series of components. Some parts of the building may be finished later. Another stewardship campaign may be held in the future. However, our expectation is that God will provide. What God leads people to do, God empowers people to do.

REJOICE in this opportunity for Creating Tomorrow TODAY.

So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Copyright © 1996-2003, Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church. All Rights Reserved. This document may be distributed electronically, provided it is distributed in its entirety and includes this notice. Please do obtain permission from Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church.