The Administrative Council, on Wednesday, October 23, made several significant decisions:
We will execute an architect and engineer agreement with Cyril Stewart for the preparation of construction documents and construction observation.
We will contract with Batten & Shaw Construction for “Pre-Construction Services”. They have submitted “concept guesstimates” for the various elements of our renovation project, and they will now work closely with our architect and the Council to develop a construction budget based on detailed engineering and architectural drawings.
We will move forward immediately with the elevator procurement process, given that this high-priority element of the renovation requires the longest lead time for design, engineering, fabrication, and installation.
We will engage Ragan-Smith to undertake landscaping design services so that plantings can occur this fall/winter, the optimum time for planting. None of the new landscaping is expected to be impacted by construction staging or construction itself.
Throughout the design phase, there will be several opportunities for congregants to offer comments and make recommendations, particularly when it comes to the kitchen, the bridal room, and the chapel.
How soon, you wonder? We will meet on Sunday, November 10, immediately after worship, for a presentation about the expected scope of the project and the sequence of steps between then and completion.
Let’s fill the schedule
Room in the Inn begins in just a few days, on Sunday, November 3. Take a look at the schedule: what “inn keeper” role could you fill? Can you think of somebody to partner with?
Book study
Our Wednesday morning Bible study group will read From Judgment to Hope: A Study on the Prophets by Walter Brueggemann over the next few weeks, beginning October 30. The publisher writes, “While conservative interpreters might believe that prophets were predictors and progressives believe the prophets to be simply social advocates, Walter Brueggemann argues that the prophets were ‘emancipated imaginers of alternative.’ Emancipated from the dominant thinking of their societies, the prophets imagined an alternative reality and invited listeners to join them in their commitment to that new reality.” The group meets every Wednesday morning at 8:30 at 40 Burton Hills Blvd. Will you join us?
Luke 14:12
Vine Street volunteers will again serve lunch with Luke 14:12 on Monday, October 28, at the Room in the Inn campus (705 Drexel Street), from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Want to help? Please contact Jeff Miller.
For all the saints…
While the origins of All Saints Day lie in ancient church traditions of remembering the martyrs, the roots of the observance tap deeply into the human desire to honor and remember those who have gone before—those who have given us life, have loved us, or have given our lives new direction in a time of wandering. Following the practice of the apostle Paul, we use the term ‘saints’ broadly for all whom Christ has made his own and called to new life. And as we remember them with thanksgiving, those known to us and the many unknown whose lives reflected the love of God, the names of those closest to us who have died will come to mind – family members, spouses, friends, teachers and other departed brothers and sisters in Christ whose faith and example have inspired us. Every year, on All Saints Day (November 1) or on the Sunday following it, we hear some of those names called out during our celebration of the Lord’s Supper, affirming our faith that life in Christ is life redeemed from the power of sin and death, life fulfilled in communion with God. On Sunday, November 3, all who come to worship will be invited to write down a name or two on a piece of paper, and we will hear those names spoken when we gather—saints above and saints below—at the table of the Lord.
Monday Men
Monday Men will meet on November 4, at 6 p.m., at M.L. Rose on Charlotte. Come and join us for a beer!