Capital Campaign

Learn more about the Capital Campaign:

Dear Congregation and Friends,

A wonderful opportunity is before us! Mequon United Methodist Church is ready to make repairs and modernizations to our church parsonage and reduce some of our debt incurred in boiler and other maintenance projects. We stand in line with dedicated, generous Christians who gave of themselves so that the work of God, through Jesus Christ and his ministry might be done through this church.

As you can see, the theme of our Capital Campaign is "Investing in our Church, Faith and Future." The church members leading this Capital Campaign felt that this theme reflects our commitment to maintain our church and parsonage for future generations. As a congregation we have demonstrated many times over the years how much we can accomplish when we faithfully work together to meet the needs of our community and world. As instructed in 2 Corinthians 8:12, "It doesn't matter how much you have. What matters is how much you are willing to give from what you have."

We are asking to to reserve time to worship and celebrate on Sunday, April 26. This is the date of a very special Service and exciting Kickoff event when we will gather together with all the members and friends of MUMC and be given information about projects included in the Campaign and view a video presentation about needed repairs. Please mark this date on your calendar now! Worship is at 9:30am on Sunday. Following the service there will be a catered brunch served in Fellowship Hall.

If you are not able to attend this special Kickoff Sunday, expect to be visited by a Front Porch Visitor from the congregation who will bring you information about the project and campaign.

The following is a prayer we hope all will pray together as we pray for each other during these special days in the life of our church:

Dear Gracious and Loving God: Throughout our faith journey we have been reminded of your willingness to sacrifice all to draw us into your unconditional love. Open us to that same spirit of generosity as we prepare to consider what our gift shall be. Remember this saying, " A few seeds make a small harvest, but a lot of seeds make a big harvest." Unite our congregation in common purpose and will, that we might be a blessing of mission and ministry in Mequon. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Your Friends In Christ,

Glen Van Fossen
General Chair Randy LeRoy
Spiritual Emphasis Chair

"What's All This Talk About A MUMC Improvement Capital Campaign?"
by Mark Spooner

Letters from Mequon United Methodist Church are currently circulating
announcing MUMC's Improvement Capital Campaign, including the date of a
"Kick-Off" brunch on Sunday, April 26. The letter provides an invitation
for our congregation to join cooperatively towards a collective goal of fund
raising with several benefits to our church family.

The first of these goals involves welcoming our new Pastor, Tim O'Brien and
his wife and children who will be joining our church on July 1. The
parsonage has been in urgent need of several repairs, which involve comfort
and safety. This campaign involves a special opportunity to make their
arrival as comfortable as possible as they move in. These home repairs will
not only provide safety and comfort, but cost savings through fuel
efficiency in the future. Secondly, as many of you know, our church has had
unforeseen expenses involving roof repairs, heating boiler replacement, and
the installation of a very much needed fire alarm system for the safety of
each person that enters our church. As operating expenses exceeded
revenues, it was necessary to use a line of credit from the bank as well as
borrowing from MUMC reserve funds to meet these needs. Additionally, an
exciting new ministry in the form of Sonlight Child Development Center was
opened to provide a strong Christian learning environment for children in
our church and community. Sonlight Child Development Center entailed initial
start-up costs, with many of the start-up funds obtained from generous
donors within MUMC, charging no-interest due to their alignment with the
MUMC Church Council vision on its potential value to MUMC as an additional
ministry for families with children. A portion of the Improvement Campaign
will be used to assist Sonlight with their programming. Excitingly enough,
Sonlight Child Development Center continues to receive new enrollments of
children, and the vision of Sonlight Child Development Center becoming a
self-sustaining ministry paying for itself through its revenues while
contributing positively to church revenues is becoming a reality as planned.

The Capital Improvement Campaign includes other aspects that involve the
future, as well addressing needs of the past. The Campaign addresses the
need to replace contingency repair funds, which were found to be an
important component that assists in the financial stability of MUMC should
future unforeseen repairs occur in the church or parsonage. A contingency
fund reduces the need to use funding from the church operating budget that
could be used within MUMC programs and outreach, which in turn, will
minimize, if not eliminate, needs to borrow from a line of credit at the
bank, requiring interest payments. To assist in meeting EPA (Environmental
Protection Association) drinking water standards, a special water filter
will be needed. New windows within our church will greatly improve heating
and cooling efficiency, lowering costs. An improved audio-visual system
will enhance worship experiences while also assisting persons visually and
hearing impaired. Lastly, goals have been set to replace the water heater in
the church, and update an inadequate phone system.

No doubt, the goals set above are ambitious and can be viewed as a bit
daunting. Fortunately, the goals are achievable as we work together. The
old saying still rings true: "Many Hands Make for Light Work." As we reflect
upon the missions and goals before us, we are reminded of our history and
heritage. Many things have been accomplished at MUMC, even during difficult
times. Together, we have done glorious works in Jesus' name, and we can give
God all the glory. As you hear and read more about this Campaign in the
coming weeks, please prayerfully consider how one or more of these goals
might stir your soul to lend a helping hand.

Additional details and specifics will be made available on a continuing
basis; in Sunday bulletins, the Spire, mailings, and on the church website.
Should you desire to learn more about these details in advance of future
communications, Pastor Tim, or Glen Van Fossen, Capital Campaign
Chairman, would be happy to respond to your questions or provide additional
details.