Join Hands

The 3-year Join Hands & Build phase of PHUMC's Master Plan was a huge success between November, 2002 to November, 2005. Information about that first phase may be found below. To see a Macromedia Flash File of a Presentation on JOIN HANDS AND BUILD from the Fall of 2002, click here.

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.

FROM 2002...

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO JOIN HANDS AND BUILD

The official capital campaign for the Fall of 2002 concluded with $5.4 million in pledges from 474 families over a 3-year period. Commitment cards are still available at church. Or call 664-3600.

WHY BUILD?

The primary reason to build is so that our church can continue growing and equipping disciples for Jesus Christ. Pulaski Heights has a 90-year history of impacting our community and our world for the Gospel and we desire to continue with this strong tradition.

Over 1,000 new members have joined Pulaski Heights in the past ten years and 67% of these new members are under 35 years old. The result is that our facilities are now inadequate to meet the current and future needs of our church body.

Many of these needs were identified by our Long- Range Planning Committee in 1999 and addressed in our church-wide congregational planning process in 2000.

WHAT ARE WE BUILDING?

Much Needed Space for Children's Ministries - With the growth of young families, births have increased 40% - resulting in overcrowding. Our plans create additional space for children's Sunday School classes, nurseries, feeding rooms, adequate space for special needs children and much needed space for our weekday Christian Teaching and Learning Center (CTLC). In all, the Norma Story Building will be renovated and expanded by 13' 344 square feet.

A New Youth/Multi-Purpose Facility -We are seriously lacking adequate space for both Sunday School classes and a separate activity space for our youth. They currently use space shared with a variety of ministries, located in heavy traffic areas. The planned multi-purpose area will provide for classes, activities, alternative worship and relieve scheduling problems in the Great Hall. It will provide 18,450 additional square feet.

Increased On-Site Parking -We can increase current on-site parking 20% by converting our current one-level lot to a two-level parking facility. This proposal takes advantage of the slope between Lee and Woodlawn to create an additional parking level without raising the current height of our campus.

Additional Classroom, Rehearsal & Storage Space - At this time, we don't have room to create even one new adult Sunday School class. This space , need extends to Music Ministries, Bible studies, ChristCare groups, Helping Hands. Wonderful Wednesdays, numerous support groups, library/media center and equipment storage. By renovating the current first-floor space in the main building and the second floor of the Story Building, many needs will be addressed.

A Columbarium/Memorial Garden -A quiet garden with burial niches and memorial plaques will be located between the Norma Story Building and Shamblin Chapel.

Improved Accessibility -With almost 500 members over the age of 74. we desperately need more handicapped parking, same-Ievel classrooms and .., .same-Ievel access to our sanctuary. This plan accomplishes all this. and provides covered walk- ways and weather-protected drop-off areas.

Adequate Welcoming & Gathering Space - With our crowded narthex as the main entrance to the sanctuary. it is impossible for our "greeting ministry" to properly identify and welcome visitors. A light-filled, 1,800 square foot gathering space will be created where the courtyard now separates the sanctuary and the chapel.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

The preliminary estimate for this plan is $12.2 million plus furnishings and fees. A Fall 2002 campaign resulted in commitments totaling $5.4 million from 474 families over a 3-year period.

WHEN WILL WE DECIDE ON THIS PROJECT?

On Sunday. October 20, at a Church Conference, the congregation voted on the preliminary building plans and cost. They were overwhelmingly approved, and we continued with the capital campaign. Next we will complete detailed architectural drawings and determine exact costs. In 2003, another Church Conference will be held to approve the architectural plans, budgets and financial plans.

NOT AN EQUAL SHARE, BUT AN EQUAL SACRIFICE

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 at PHUMC has been blessed in many ways and each should prayerfully consider what their sacrifice should be. This proposal is dynamic and visionary. It cannot be accomplished without all of us searching our hearts for how we can sacrificially contribute to enable God's will to prosper in our community.

JOIN HANDS & BUILD

The theme for this project is Join Hands And Build. which is exactly what will be required of us all to accomplish the task before us. But first we must join hands in prayer, for it is through prayer that we will be led by the Spirit to accomplish God's plans. 

In embarking on this venture, we have prayed that God would use Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church to accomplish God's work, in God's way. We ask you to join with us in praying for how God might use you in this effort and in praising God for the many blessings our church family has received.

We are doing so much more than making plans to build a building. We are making plans for our church to meet the needs of future generations of followers. We are joining hands as we seek to fulfill the vision chosen for us.

YOU CAN HELP US BUILD

By taking the courageous and spirit-filled step to develop this proposal, we have the opportunity to expand and enhance our church's mission and prepare for an exciting future.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE?

PRAY -During this building project and always, we ask that each family be in prayer seeking God's will in discovering what role they will take. As you pray, God will lead you to your own special level of commitment. We ask that every person pray our campaign prayer, "Lord, what do You want to do through me?"

PLAN -This project has financial implications and goals, but is primarily a spiritual endeavor. We are prayerfully planning the future of our church. Plan to be involved. Plan your time for prayer for our committee and the church. Mark your calendar and plan to participate in the upcoming events of the campaign. Watch your Tower newsletter for dates of a Church Conference in 2003.

PRAISE -Praise Our Lord for the countless blessings given to our church and especially for the blessings which have led us to have the needs we are currently addressing. Praise God for faithfulness to Pulaski Heights Over the years and for future opportunities God will bring.

DATES TO REMEMBER

Watch the Tower newsletter for the date of a Church Conference in 2003 for consideration of the next phase of Join Hands & Build.

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.