Week Ending Dec 8, 2007

‘It’s beginning to look a lot like COMPLETION!’ The KraftMaid kitchen cabinets were delivered and set this week in Reception. Priming, painting and staining are underway still. The sink, cooktop and dishwasher will be connected when the countertops come in. The fridge and microwave are connected. Contractor Gregg Pulsinelli volunteered to set temporary plywood countertops for reception use until then – Thank you Gregg! Our gratitude to willing volunteers like Luis continues as the chapel space is refurbished, the Mountain Ave. windows in the Cave are unblocked and cleaned, and the session room and stairwell gets painted. Electrical punch list items were worked on week. Service on the Media Control Room heater/A-C unit was re-scheduled for 12/10 as parts needed to be ordered. The lawn outside the chapel entrance was dug up to investigate sewer blockages and install a new clean-out. The ‘Jobs for Volunteers’ list is posted outside the sanctuary for those who can lend their time and talents. We appreciate your patience during construction! Your Capital Campaign pledges make this ministry possible - Thank You!

December Building Committee News

Last December, the cord from the console to the organ pipes was cut, the sanctuary pendant lights were removed for restoration, and we were officially “Under Construction.” With the beginning of this Advent, we are nearing completion of what we set out to do - Preserve, Prepare and Build, “equipping the saints for the work of ministry.’ Ephesians 4:16. Thanks be to God!

The restoration and repair completed in the sanctuary has been beautifully enhanced by the Worship & Music Commission’s Christmas decorations, along with hundreds of hours of volunteer work put into the Bell Tower & Bride’s Chapel entrances. The additional investment of the arched glass doors in the Bell Tower truly opens worship to the community. The organ upgrades and re-installation is seriously delayed; hope and pressure abound in equal measure that this would be completed as soon as possible. This month, most of the contracted work has been or will be completed in the Reception area and ramp-entry foyer: flooring, painting, lighting, heating, duct work, fire/smoke alarm upgrades, new staircase, kitchen cabinetry and appliances. The countertops will be completed in January 2008. The installation of the 3 Memorial Windows in Reception has been delayed until later in the month. Movement of an un-seen stained glass window to prominence above the new ramp-entry foyer door amazingly enhances both foyer and exterior. Final upgrades to wiring and lighting in the Cave, Youth Center, and “Tunnel” will be completed this month. Immense gratitude is extended to Luis, Richard and John who have donated hundreds of hours of time (and materials!) to general maintenance and repair work in the church. Areas long over-looked and under-utilized are accessible and clean as well as beautiful. Hearty thanks also to Al for donating his time in building a wonderful workstation in the Youth Center. Recurring plumbing back-ups in the basement require additional snake camera research and installation of a plumbing clean-out point – the front lawn has been marked and will be dug up in as small a space as possible for this purpose.

The large speakers and wires on the chancel are temporary; with thanks to Casa de la Banquette for use of their sound system until the new church system is installed. Stair tread caps will be installed around the edge of the balcony risers to provide tactile and visual reference, and pews will be adjusted to provide better access. Plans are also underway to complete the Session Room renovations to return this space to fuller and more versatile use. The Youth kitchen bar project will be done next month by recycling the old parlor kitchen cabinets. The exterior around the Session Room still needs painting – Paint, primer, brushes, rollers are available! Please contact Betsy Kamienowski if you can help get that project done! A ‘Jobs for Volunteers’ list is posted outside the sanctuary. Jobs range from lining drawers with shelf paper to skilled construction – check out how you can help!

The construction dumpster will be removed from the parking area in December, restoring the handicap parking spaces to full use again. The Hospitality committee is establishing a dedicated space under the Bell Tower to facilitate the wonderful ministry they do. Youth groups and staff have helped clear out un-used items from over-crowded closets to provide space for organized, dry and accessible storage.

With construction almost complete – contract payments are coming due. Your pledge payments help church cash flow needs. Thank You! Faithfully yours; Beth Bowlby, Dave Costain, Lester Erich, Ray Ferreira, Betsy Kamienowski, Louis Kilgore, Tom Rodgers, Carol Wilson, and Advocate Al Donato

THIS WEEK ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITE
The hardwood floor has been installed and is covered for protection. Salvaged bead board and trim was installed in the expanded Porte Cochere foyer after tile was installed. Painting and staining of both foyers and the reception area is to be done next week. The new reception windows are also to be installed next week. Reception kitchen cabinets are to be delivered the first week of December. We are extremely grateful for all the volunteer cleaning and clearing that has been done by Luis. We appreciate your patience during construction. Your Capital Campaign pledges make this ministry possible - Thank You! Faithfully yours - Beth Bowlby, Dave Costain, Lester Erich, Ray Ferreira, Ray Ferreira, Betsy Kamienowski, Louis Kilgore, Linda Owens, Tom Rodgers, Carol Wilson Advocate Al Donato.

WORK DAY! Can you spare a few hours Sunday afternoon?
Join us from 3:00 to 6:00 this Sunday 11/25 to help clear out the POD storage unit, remove the last vestiges of clutter tucked away in the cave, and attack some of the small jobs for Volunteers that remain to be done. Items available: Fiberboard Desk 39.5”W x 19.5”D x 26.75”H with 14”W x 3”D drawer, Wooden Open Shelving Unit 36.5”W x 10”D x 76”H, Double Straight back Choir Pew 14’ long, Curved Choir Pew approx. 15’ long, 5-Drawer File-gray 15”W x 27”D x 52”H, 4-Drawer File-tan 15”W x 12”D x 49”H, Light Oak Alter 66”W x 25.25”D x 40.5”H, Wall Lamp brass with fabric shade, Wall Lamp wood & brass with glass hurricane lens. If you would like any of these items, please come Sunday. Donations will be applied to the cost of the storage unit – Thank you!

November Presbyterian

Tuesday Night is Open Cave Night for teens to come do homework, plan 1Life projects, or just hang out! It is a joy and blessing made possible through the Capital Campaign to reach out in ministry through this revitalized space! Planning and work continues so that we can provide the Internet Workstation and Youth Juice Bar in the Cave. The bar track lighting will be installed once the bar is constructed. If you have a laptop or printer/supplies to donate to the Youth Center - please contact Rev. Linda Owens.

It is Not Too Late to make donations to the Capital Campaign! If you were unsure what the campaign was about but like what you see, can you express your gratitude with a pledge now? Memorial and dedicated pledges are still available. Please speak with Rev. Kilgore or Betsy Kamienowski if you have questions or just want to discuss specific projects. Join us in this celebration of our blessings to Prepare, Preserve, and Build the physical church which will ‘equip the saints for the work of ministry.’ Ephesians 4:16

Phase 2 construction projects are nearing completion; although construction documents still have not been received from DRG for all current projects or for Phase 3 unfunded construction documents due. The three new arched glass Memorial windows facing the parking lot will be installed early in December. The reception kitchen will also be completed in December. In the meantime, tile in the foyer, hardwood flooring in reception, and the restored stairwell into the basement will be installed. The stairs into the cave from what is now the center of the reception area will be closed off once access is available from the new stairs. The interior Bell Tower arched glass doors and ramp entry exterior door will be installed and fully operational by October 29. Carpeting for the sanctuary aisles is planned for the future. The speakers and wires on the chancel are also temporary – volunteers Paul Gindler, Chris Metaxis, John Almendinger are working to install an improved sound system connected to the balcony Media Control Room. Thanks also to Bill Blicharz for continued clearing out of debris so that new mission and ministry has room to flourish. The Bell Tower renovations continue and are almost complete. Donated work and supplies from Jack Guild, John Almendinger, Louis Kilgore and Al Donato in the restored foyer are so very much appreciated.

Phase 2 costs include general construction and painting - $207,033, and additional unexpected costs like steel work - $ 12,438, fire-safe stairwell $ 5,250 and extended organ rental fees ($500 per month – 4 months to date). New Pledges and pre-payments will help right now provide the cash flow needed to pay these bills until pledge payments due June 2008 are received. Session voted this past month not to add an elevator ($ 98,000 installed) into the scope of the current projects as current pledges can not fund it. If ADA access to all levels of the church is a meaningful ministry to you, please consider discussing the finances needed to bring this gift to the church with the pastor or the Building Committee. Recall the summons from Rev. Titus Davis at the church’s dedication – ‘My children go on – there is more work for you to do.’

Faithfully yours, The Building Committee - Beth Bowlby, Dave Costain, Lester Erich, Ray Ferreira, Betsy Kamienowski, Louis Kilgore, Tom Rodgers, Carol Wilson, and Advocate Al Donato

News from Week Ending October 13, 2007

Work continued on the ramp-entry stairwell to the basement this week, along with electrical wiring and sheetrock in the new reception area. A template was measured for the new reception memorial windows; they should be installed in November. New wiring for the sound & recording system is being installed, but needs to be connected to speakers. We are grateful for the use of the Casa de Banquette sound system and speakers until the permanent media systems are fully operational.

DO YOU KNOW AN ORGANIZATION INTERESTED IN A HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHWASHER? The $8000 parlor kitchen dishwasher was salvaged to be re-installed in the new reception kitchen, but is really more than we need. A $1500 donation to the Capital Campaign in exchange for the dishwasher is suggested. The Hobart dishwasher is stainless steel inside and out, is 24” wide x 24” deep, and sanitizes contents in about 10 minutes.

Are You Re-Modeling at home?
The Youth Kitchen needs a Microwave, a cappuccino maker, a blender, and a few pots, pans, cookie sheets, dishtowels and pot holders. Please speak to Rev. Linda Owens if you have any of these to donate. The Building Committee is looking for a stainless or silver-tone front 24” dishwasher and 30” refrigerator. Please speak to Betsy Kamienowski (908-642-0955) if you have any of these to donate.

Electrical and Fire inspections were approved this week. The steel piers to reinforce the choir room floor need to be spliced to be moved into position - Engineering approval on this is required before the steel is delivered. Architects are also working on the construction documents to re-implement the staircase under the original stairs to the choir room. Repairs to the sidewalk damaged during CAVE construction were completed, and a curb between the sidewalk and handicap parking space was removed. New wiring is being run in the reception area and plumbing work was completed for the new reception kitchen. The old florescent lens covers will be donated to the Middlesex library once the new lighting is installed. New pre-finished oak flooring will be installed in the reception area, as the sub floor as found to be in poor condition. A variety of bar and Internet/workstation designs are in consideration for the Youth Center, as well as reception kitchen cabinetry and appliances. Faithfully yours, the Building Committee: Beth Bowlby, Dave Costain, Lester Erich, Ray Ferreira, Betsy Kamienowski, Louis Kilgore, Linda Owens, Tom Rodgers, Carol Wilson Advocate Al Donato

DO YOU KNOW A COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATION INTERESTED IN A HIGH TEMPERATURE DISHWASHER? The $8000 parlor kitchen dishwasher was salvaged to be re-installed in the new reception kitchen, but is really more than we need. A $1500 donation to the Capital Campaign in exchange for the dishwasher is suggested. The Hobart dishwasher is stainless steel inside and out, fits into cabinetry 24” wide x 24” deep, and sanitizes contents in about 10 minutes.

October Project Updates

The Youth Center has been opened downstairs. The Juice Bar and Internet counter still need to be built – but the space is open and already in use! The old parlor kitchen cabinets have been re-employed and look wonderful in the new Youth Kitchen. It is such a wonderful open space the name ‘Cave’ has become counter-intuitive! Upstairs, organ upgrades are still underway and there are still boxes of pipes to be installed. We hope to have the organ fully operational by Christmas. The sanctuary folding doors will be made accessible once the new reception area is completed.

Carpeting for the sanctuary aisles is planned for the future. Enjoy the exemplary acoustics with us until then! The Bell Tower renovations continue and are almost complete. The donated works of Jack Guild, John Almendinger, Louis Kilgore and Al Donato will be appreciated by the whole congregation once the new arched glass doors are installed. These will provide wonderful light into the sanctuary and a beautiful view of the historic foyer. Our hope is that this inviting entry will also become a beacon to those who pass by so that our ministry will extend further into the community. These doors and renovations were made available through the Capital Campaign and by action of session, some Memorial Funds in part from the family of Frances S. Bean. Planning is underway for new memorials and to re-display all existing memorials that have been waiting to be displayed again.

Phase 2 construction projects are fully underway; some already completed over the summer. The financial office was moved from the CAVE to the 2nd floor – formerly the Choir Director’s office. Tom Rodgers’ newly reconfigured office is now conveniently situated in the Choir Room. The beautiful parlor bookshelves dedicated by Marie and Ed Malone in memory of George and Angela D’Angelo (built by Bill Stalker) were moved to the Choir Room and are a lovely and fitting addition there. New reception area windows, a memorial to the life of Dusty by Bill and Marion Crum, will be made by NJ Hardwoods. Work in the reception area has been delayed for 2 weeks as structural problems were uncovered during demolition. Persimmon Engineering provided engineering documents to resolve the deflection found in the beam that supports the choir room floor. DRG Architects needs to supply construction documents against which inspections can be done for work to proceed. We apologize for the inconvenience this causes. We continue to thank our church staff for continuing their work in spite of jack-hammers, blocked off offices, restricted movement through the church, and new waves of dust and dirt. The new reception area should be complete by December.

Costs (intrinsic and extrinsic) are being considered by the committee and by session regarding the lack of ADA-compliant access to all 3 levels of the church. Capital Campaign Pledge payments are on target (75% payment at 77% of campaign period) – Thank You! Advances against pledges due are being paid from our endowment reserves. Early payments to your Capital Campaign pledge will be put to immediate use as construction is due to complete 6 months prior to the end of the campaign. If you have not made a pledge to the Capital Campaign and would like to know more about the projects both completed and pending, please call Betsy Kamienowski (908-642-0955) or Pastor Kilgore (732-356-3575) for an appointment.

Faithfully yours, The Building Committee - Beth Bowlby, Dave Costain, Lester Erich, Ray Ferreira, Betsy Kamienowski, Louis Kilgore, Tom Rodgers, Carol Wilson, and Advocate Al Donato

Oh My Goodness, Thank You!

To the many volunteers who painted, stained, cleared out the CAVE, assembled, primed, and did prep and clean up work.

Our Hearty Thanks to George Blake, Jeanette Mulvey, Nancy Swain, Andy and Deb Gugel, the Biedermann family –Adriana, Andy, Max and Kira, the DePierro family – Dave, Judy, Matthew and Samantha, and Elaine Tetreault. We so appreciate all the work and time so many people have donated!

The JOBS for VOLUNTEERS list is posted in the Porte Cochere, with supplies you will need. Come and see what’s left to do! Carpet was installed in the Media Control Room and the new shelving and countertops are ready for installation also. The last of the Phase 1 punch list items are being completed – soon we will be fully into Phase 2 construction.

• The sanctuary will be professionally cleaned on Monday.


• The new sanctuary doors and final plaster/paint touch-ups will be done by Artech later in the week.


• Planning is also underway to move the financial office upstairs and out of the construction area/new Youth Center.


• The office in the choir room will be converted to the Choir Director’s office with additional needed storage just for music and supplies.


• CAVE demolition began – ceilings are done and so are the walls! What a great open space this will be!


• The organ restoration is proceeding slowly – that will not be in use until the end of August. We expect to be back in the sanctuary for worship the weekend of August 18/19.

Building Committee: Beth Bowlby, Dave Costain, Lester Erich, Ray Ferreira, Betsy Kamienowski, Louis Kilgore, Tom Rodgers, Carol Wilson, and Advocate Al Donato