2005 Annual Report

‘To equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ’ – Ephesians 4: 12. Work, ministry, building and blessings in abundance characterized this year, which built upon the support of the congregation and session in formative 2004. With both the architect and capital campaign consultants under contract as the year began, key activities included:

◘ Leadership Presentation, January
Deacons, Elders, Staff, Caring Ministers and other church leaders were invited to review conceptual plans with the Architect and provide feedback.
◘ Congregational Dinner, February
Slide show walk-through of conceptual plans for interior renovations presented with celebration of our life together in Christ shared with almost 200 members and friends.
◘ Capital Campaign, March, April, May – Preserve, Prepare, Build
Memorials and named gifts received from 11 households, amounting to $149,396. Advance Gifts not named and other dedications amounted to $305,753 from another 46 households. Pledged amount total currently is $720,604 representing 240 households (including $3000 Youth Group pledge), with $257,259 in receipts received by year end.
◘ Historic Preservation, May
The quest for state assistance to preserve and restore the structure, stained glass, roof and exterior of the church came into realization with a deadline of June 1 to submit application to the New Jersey Historic Trust (NJHT) for development of a Historic Preservation Plan (HPP). Historic Building Architects, LLC was contracted for $ 38,905. The NJHT grant was approved for $ 29,178; offsetting the development cost of the HPP. The final HPP is due February 2006.
◘ Congregational Meeting, July
Recommendation of committee to proceed with two separate but synergistic plans approved. The HPP will provide a 25-year maintenance and restoration recommendation, with opportunity to obtain additional state aid recommended to do future work. Ministry-focused interior plans were to proceed based upon structural analysis in the HPP to assure “once and done” expenditure, especially in the sanctuary. Design options and narratives, scheduling, and costing was due from DRG at the time of this report.
◘ Website, Blog, E-Letter/Newsletter
The church website, www.bbpc.org was modified to show a Building Committee page, citing the mission statement, the committee members, posting of up-to-date capital campaign results, answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), the Congregational Dinner presentation, and a new BLOG site to invite conversation about the project amongst members. Six Newsletters were published between June and December.
◘ Discovery and Design
Work proceeded throughout the year, and into 2006, in discovery to develop “as built” specifications for all three floors of the church. The conceptual plans presented in January were updated to incorporate an elevator. Interior element options are being collected and assessed for inclusion in the final design. This will be presented to session, Presbytery, and the congregation for approval to proceed with funding acquisition.
◘ Improved Access to Parking and Church, December
Sidewalks were installed between the church and the three properties adjoining the church to the west along Union Avenue, providing clear and safe walking paths from 56 additional parking spaces to both the front and the rear church entries. Lighting is in place for 2 of the 4 new sidewalks; the remainder to be completed early in 2006. Township approval is being sought for 8 to 16 new paved parking spaces on the west side of the PFC by expanding both the left and right sides of the existing driveway which terminates on Union Avenue.

Committee Members: Beth Bowlby, John Casale, Dave Costain, Lester Erich, Ray Ferreira, Michele Horst, Betsy Kamienowski (Chair), Rev. Louis Kilgore, Perry Novak, Tom Rodgers, Carol Wilson

We acknowledge with grateful hearts the appreciated support from Peggy Sutherland, Martha Costain, and Curt Koszielec, as well as Rev. Linda Owens and all participants in Youth Group. Our thanks also to Bill Dettelback, Jane and Ted Settle, Lori and Jim Bowers, and Jill DeMouth and all the hosts and helpers for their assistance with the Congregational Dinner. Thanks be to God for the shared vision of this ministry we commit ourselves to; to prepare for the continued building up of this church in ministry – welcoming, worship, fellowship, learning and caring. May we listen and respond, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour.