We would love you to fill out this online Pave the Way Estimate of Giving Card.

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It’s time to repair, mill and repave our parking lot! The parking lot has had no significant repair since it was installed in 1979 and it has needed this work for a few years. The longer we wait, the more repairs will need to be done. As you can see when you walk around the lot (or notice in the pictures) there are numerous cracks throughout the parking lot and potholes are starting. The cracks allow water to enter the macadam, freeze and expand during the winter and then potholes form. It’s becoming unsafe and less functional for our members. Additionally, it’s the first thing a guest to St. Paul’s sees and we want the pride of a parking lot that’s welcoming and presentable. If the fundraising goes well, we can repair the sidewalks at the main entrance as well.
 

To pave the way toward our future, this project was suggested in our recent Visioning Process, so we had a contractor estimate the job, and it will cost about $100,000. That’s certainly a significant sum of money, but the faithful people of St. Paul’s have always been willing to be generous for needed projects. There is no doubt that together we can raise these funds. We trust the people of St. Paul’s will be able to make a one-time special gift or an ongoing donation during the fundraising. (Please note that this would be in addition to normal giving which empowers the ongoing ministry at St. Paul’s.) 

Our goal is to collect these funds by the summer of 2026 which would be an ideal time to have the work completed. There will be chart tracking the promised and received giving in the narthex and our publications as we proceed.

During a project like this, it is always helpful to turn to scripture for guidance. In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians he writes about a special fundraising campaign. The people in Jerusalem were struggling and Paul encouraged them to set aside a special offering. He wrote of the joy you feel when you are generous and then shared this wonderful encouragement, “But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.” As you excel in generosity, we would prayerfully ask you fill out this Pave the Way Estimate of Giving Card! ​​

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Question and Answers

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Why is now the right time to repave the parking lot?
Truth be told, it’s actually past time to repair and repave the parking lot. Cracks and potholes have been occurring for the last few years, which only continue to get worse. (As noted, water enters the cracks and during the winter then freezes and expands and destroys the macadam.) The last few years have required our focus elsewhere during the pandemic and pastoral transitions. Now that St. Paul’s is back to thriving and growing, it’s time to tackle this project and pave the way toward our future. 
 

Doesn’t the church have enough in savings to accomplish the project?
St. Paul’s does have a property reserve for emergency problems like failure of the heating or air conditioners, but not nearly enough funds to accomplish this project.
 

What kinds of gifts are appropriate?
Any gift is welcome! Some folks may be able to make a special one-time gift but others might want to make an ongoing gift through the campaign. Other folks might choose to donate stock or to use a required minimum distribution as a gift. We also hope even our kids will get in the spirit of the campaign and contribute since they’ll be blessed by this project far into the future.
 

How do I know what to give? What amount is appropriate?
That is between you and God. Our campaign is a time of self-reflection and prayer as we ask God, “How can I reflect my commitment to You through my giving and living?” Our next few months can be a time of remembrance and gratitude as we each think back over God’s faithfulness to us as individuals and a church. As we consider ways to rearrange or rethink our spending or the use of our accumulated assets, it becomes a truly spiritual journey. God does not need money nor force us to give it away. At the same time, we can respond to God’s blessings in gratitude. We can also remember the truth that it all belongs to God anyway.
 

What if we do not reach our target amount in eighteen months?

It is our firm belief that we will meet our target—perhaps even exceed it. In the event we do not, we will simply continue to raise funds and repave in the summer of 2027. 
 

If you have any questions, beyond these answered here, please feel free to contact any of the parking lot team using the form below!

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​​God Bless!
The Pave the Way Team:  Chris Robinson, Dan Shallow, Dave Dunn, Greg Dommel, John Ward, Karen Robus, Rick Ritter and Pastor Stuart Luce