Capital Campaign FAQ's

The following questions were presented to the Capital Funds Campaign Committee, answered by members of the Building Committee.

- A majority of the funds will come from the sale of land (1.8 million). If the land does not sell for expected value where will the remaining fund come from? Or will the project be scaled down?

At this stage, the cost estimates are very rough as we have yet to develop a specific building design and won't know the actual site design (and cost) until we have a buyer for the land. It's possible the estimates are high and funding won't be a problem. It's also possible the estimates are low and we may not have adequate funds even if we received $1.8 million for the land. Once we have a firm sales agreement and are able to better define site and building design and cost, we will be better able to evaluate if we have adequate funds. If it appears that we are short of funds, we may decide to delay construction and let our funds grow through investment, downscale expansion and/or downscale the remodel of the existing building. In other words, we'll consider every viable option once we are able to better determine our projected funds and costs.

- When do you expect construction to start?

Since most of the funding will come from the sale of the land, the construction timeline will be contingent on the sale of the land. Once we have a binding sales agreement, we will be able to refine our costs, adjust the project if necessary, and proceed with a specific design plan and land use and building permit process with the city of Beaverton. We estimate site work will start approximately 12 to 16 months after we have a binding sales agreement assuming no issues with funding.

- The new sanctuary will accommodate approximately 100 more people. Do you expect the growth to come after completion of the building?

The proposed sanctuary is based on the long term master plan we developed for the property, which is based on the long term strategic goals we developed for the congregation five years ago. We don't know how much, if any, growth will occur immediately upon completion of the expansion, although it's not uncommon for new people to visit recently built or expanded churches.

- Do you think we will lose some of our closeness when the church expands?

It's possible, but the feel of the space can vary greatly based on the design and the type of building materials used. During the process of selecting an architect, the Building Committee visited a number of churches and was very impressed with the intimacy and comfort of a sanctuary that held several thousand people. The proposed sanctuary is only 10 feet wider and 15 feet (back of rainbow room) to 40 feet (excluding rainbow room) deeper than our existing sanctuary.

- There are a lot of issues going on in the world with hunger, natural disasters such as the recent cyclone and earthquake. How would you suggest our priorities be set in regards to supporting the building campaign as compare to world and local issues?

We wouldn't presume to set priorities for you. Hopefully, you will do that in communication with God through prayer. What we do know is that we have talked about and planned for this addition for a number of years. We are a loving church family whose own plans for programs have been hampered by the building we have been living in for so long. Those programs will allow us to minister to ourselves and to those around us. We've planned and prayed, and now is the time.

Capital Campaign Update

Thank you to those of you who have turned in YOUR Capital Funds Response Card.

For those of you praying about your gift to this Work of God, we look forward to hearing from you.

Pastor Michelle will have the Response Card box, additional forms (if yours has been misplaced) as well as special envelopes (for the Building on Christ our Foundation campaign) for the offering to this project at worship this Sunday.

Cal and Caryl advise that Response Cards have been mailed.

If you have not received YOUR Response Card please contact one them.

This Sunday there is One Service – response cards may be brought to this service.

Please remember that June 1st is Shepherd of the Valley's Celebration Sunday.

The Goal of the Capital Campaign is to raise $500,000 to be used toward the Building of our new sanctuary, classrooms and fellowship area for our growing congregation.

As of today, May 21st we have received Response Cards with commitments totaling $109,500.00

Thank you!
Bob R. McFall & Tammy McDonald
Co-Directors; Building on Christ our Foundation

Enriched by Faith

Thank you to everyone who was able to participate in the Cottage Meetings last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Everyone attending had a wonderful time and we all were enriched by the faith stories of those people who gave their individual stories.

On such story was given Friday evening by Rod Stoltenburg who talked about looking for a church in Fargo, North Dakota when it looked as if he and Betty were going to be moving there. Search as he might, going back several times to various churches; he was unable to find a church home like Shepherd of the Valley. Not only are we happy Rod and Betty will be remaining at SOV it was very interesting to hear the story of his search and what simply did not feel right in North Dakota.

Terry Wageman provided a very emotional letter as you would expect from our Japan correspondent, however I will not steal Cal and Caryl's thunder as I am sure they will share with you all Terry's comments in the near future. Terry's mother had the most interesting story about Terry and his big sister Tammy feeling that Terry needed a flashlight to find his way back to church when he was in the latter years of high school and college however we are delighted that Terry found his way back to church and is an active member of SOV regardless of where he lives.

There were a number of other touching faith stories, most from people you would never expect to be sharing such personal thoughts. What a wonderful experience. If you missed any of the three Cottage meetings you missed the experience of a lifetime.

Families attending the Cottage Meetings are being asked to return their Response Cards by Sunday, May 18th. If anyone is unable to do so please make sure the cards are received no later than our Celebration Sunday, June 1st 2008.

Even though it was only last Thursday (8th), Friday (9th) and Saturday (10th) that we held the Cottage meetings, as of Sunday the 11th we have received commitments in excess of $50,000.

The power of prayer and guidance of God is the driving force behind the "Building on CHRIST our Foundation" campaign.

Blessings,

Bob McFall & Tammy McDonald
Co-Directors, Capital Funds Campaign

Questions about Capital Funds Campaign?

As you prayerfully consider the three-year capital funds campaign for the building of Phase I, our new sanctuary and remodeling of our current building to better serve our youth and needs of our congregation, and respond with your gifts to support the "Building on Christ our Foundation" appeal, know that we are so proud of all of your undying support of Shepherd of the Valley. You are a mission minded people and together we will wear out this building with caring and serving ministry to young and old of God's world.

At the same time we recognize that you may have questions which may affect how you are evaluating your gift to the Capital Funds campaign for the new addition to our existing space at SOV and the remodeling of our existing space for better utilization.

For that reason we are asking that you send your questions either to Tammy McDonald, Tom Barnes, or to me, Bob McFall.

As soon as possible the Executive Team, Council and the Building Committee will answer each question and each question will be answered as honestly and straight forward as possible by email and also printed in the Sunday bulletin.

Please submit ALL of your questions to one of the above email addresses. We want everyone's questions answered.

Blessings! See you Sunday.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Bob McFall & Tammy McDonald
Co-Directors Capital Campaign Fund

Top Ten Reasons

Top Ten Reasons We Should Support - "Building on CHRIST our Foundation"

10. It forces us to look to the Lord for guidance because it's too big for us to do on our own
9. It provides us an opportunity to leave a legacy for the next generation
8. This is the Lord's house
7. Accomplishing such a major project will be a unifying event for our congregation
6. We will all be proud of our sanctuary and newly renovated church and will be much more likely to invite our friends
5. We only have one time to make a good first impression and first time visitors will want to return
4. As we ponder, pray and "stew" about what we want to give to the appeal we will grow spiritually. Jesus said, "For where your treasure is your heart will follow."
3. Most of our giving to the church comes out of our income. A building fund appeal forces us to remember that everything that we have is a gift from God as we contemplate giving from our total resources. Yes, even our stocks, bonds, real estate, business assets, etc. -- ALL are from the Lord.
2. Over time we will give even more money to give to benevolence and for special needs outside of our church. Building fund programs tend to help people grow in their giving and, even when the building is paid, they often give more to their church on an ongoing basis. By giving more we trust God more and that lesson stays with people for the rest of their lives.
1. The church is where the major events of life are recognized and blessed. It is at church that we celebrate baptisms, where we teach our children about God, where we see young people affirming their faith, where those in love are married, where we hear the Word of God proclaimed, where we confess our sinfulness and accept God's forgiveness, where we are renewed through the sacrament of Holy Communion, where we call when a loved one needs pastoral care, where we have many of our closest friends, where we can come for fellowship and fun, where we can pray, laugh, shed tears, study, reflect and put our entire lives in perspective. Think for a moment -- "What would my life be without this church?"

In these past 35 years we have together gathered wonderful people of all ages in ministries of care and service in the congregation and community. We have grown in mission. We have been blessed with tremendous examples of 'faith active in love'. We are challenging ourselves to add Phase I of our building addition plan so that we can better witness, serve and grow for the future.

Our Phase I at Shepherd of the Valley is a strategic plan to better serve the growing neighborhoods surrounding SOV, and to bringing the "un-churched" to hear the word of God.

We have witnessed many changes during our years together. We have matured in our prayerful care for one another and strangers. We have said 'goodbye' to dear friends in Christ. We continue to work at growing our youth programs and spreading the word of God.

Since change is as real as the air we breathe, how we embrace and manage change is so important. We don't change just for change's sake; but we do change in order to update, adjust, and connect to the life and needs of people around us. We, the congregation of SOV voted to stay and grow our ministry where we are currently located on Cornell Road, we have adjusted our worship hours at various times through out the years to be flexible to the needs of our congregation, we have changed music and worship styles, we have worked diligently in order not to incur a large mortgage, we have changed habits for new ones and we save the best and adapt and grow! Why?

Because we have a changeless God in a changing world. The message that we are saved by grace through faith is the Gospel truth. How we live and share it requires a new mind and fresh heart. This is what we so admire about you at Shepherd of the Valley!

We follow God's heart for lost, hurting, lonely, hungry, sick, and searching people. As we follow the Lord's heart for the world, we take risks, we dare to do ministry in new areas, we find ways to tell and live the old, old story in new, new ways. In following the Spirit's heart for the world we are blessed with a unity of purpose. We are a united church and this will continue to happen as we follow God's heart. The buildings are just that – buildings. The church is the people who are redeemed and gathered to live out God's heart.

So as you prayerfully consider your upcoming three-year capital funds campaign for the building of Phase I, our new sanctuary and remodeling of our current building to better serve our youth and needs of our congregation, and respond with your gifts to support the "Building on Christ our Foundation" appeal, know that we are so proud of all of your undying support of Shepherd of the Valley. You are a mission minded people and together we will wear out this building with caring and serving ministry to young and old of God's world.

May God Bless you!
Bob R. McFall & Tammy McDonald
Executive Directors: "Building on Christ our Foundation"

Block Party

As part of "Building on Christ our Foundation", there will be a Block Party here at SOV on Sunday, May 18th—4:00 to 6:00pm. Kids of all ages coming together to have fun, share good food, and get together to have a fun time building with blocks; celebrate existing membership, celebrate new members, and honor and celebrate our youth who are becoming adult members of the congregation by their confirmation of faith. Please bring a salad or hot dish to share. SOV will provide beverages and the makings to build your own ice cream sundaes.

Building on Christ our Foundation

Sisters and Brothers of SOV,

Who would have believed that, in 35 years of ministry, Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church would touch the lives of so many people? God probably knew it would happen, but we don't think we did. We can't fathom visions like this, because they are of God, and not our own in the making. It reminds us of the old saying: God doesn't call us to do anything we think we can do, only that which is beyond us. If we think we can do it, we don't need God. But when we venture forth into a challenge that is beyond our human ability that is when God begins his awesome work. This is how we feel about this campaign that we have begun.

We never thought we would add a dedicated sanctuary to our church facility, but that is how the Spirit is leading us. How will it all get done? We don't know. That is where faith in God takes over. We walk by faith and not by sight. But the beginning of any journey with God involves our commitment. The scripture teaches us that God tests our commitment before he blesses our action. It is now the time for you and me to make our commitments to the capital funds that we have begun.

It has taken the commitment of the whole community to get us to this moment. It takes the process of discernment led by a Building Committee charged with clarifying God's mission for Shep0herd of the Valley. It took the overwhelming "Yes!" declared by the congregation to the question, "Shall we stay and do ministry here?" It took the imagination and brainstorming of dozens of members to begin to shape on paper the facility in Phase I and Phase II.

It's taken literally hundreds of hours given by dozens of people continuing to contribute their technical or artistic or organizational acumen to making things take the planning to this level.

But most of all, it's taken trust in knowing that our commitment to expanding God's work is no more than we are capable of doing. It's taken trust that this place is where we belong, and that this building is a tool, which God will use for God's good purposes. It will take the trust that the congregation will back up with dollars for the ministry. The Holy Spirit is working in and through us to form us into more faithful disciples and enthusiastic missionaries witnessing to the difference that the Light of Jesus Christ makes in our lives and in a dark world.

Tammy and I have been truly blessed to be co-directors of the KAIROS Capital Funds Campaign.

Blessings,
Bob R. McFall & Tammy McDonald
Co-Directors

Faith Stories - Capital Funds campaign - Building on Christ our Foundation

Corrine Gilbertson and Ann Smith are collecting Faith Stories for the Capital Funds campaign. Corrine and Ann will be collecting these stories either in written form or they may be emailed to either of them by March 21st.

Once collected they will be given to Tammy McDonald, Director of Capital Funds campaign, for assembly by the Executive Committee, and put in a booklet to be given to the entire congregation of Shepherd of the Valley with additional copies available as gifts for others.

This booklet is one of many items being developed by the SOV Capital Funds committees in conjunction with our consultant John Cross of KAIROS.

Tammy, John Cross and I are looking forward to our meetings this Thursday, Friday and Saturday with everyone.

Bob McFall