IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL, I had a teacher who would open each and every class with the same two words: “Face Forward!” She was intent on making sure our full attention was on the lesson plan at hand. When writing about leader-ship, Steven Covey said that what makes leaders great is not that they never fail. Rather,

it is that they always “Fail Forward.” They may fail or fall down in their efforts, but they are always failing and falling “forward” in the direction of their goal.

When the Bible talks about Faith it is always an action word... it is a verb rather than a noun. We live by Faith... walk by Faith... and are saved by Faith. Hebrews 11 gives us a roll call of legendary leaders who epitomize this. We are told that “By FAITH,” Noah built his boat before it rained... “By FAITH,” Abraham set out not know-ing where he was going... and “By FAITH,” the people passed through the Red Sea and forward to the Prom-ised Land. They were people who “faith-ed forward.”

We are excited that there are more people worshipping at Garfield Memorial Church today than at any other time in our church’s history. We are thrilled that families are finding FAITH here as evidenced by 40 first- time baptisms and close to 100 reaffirmations of baptism in the past two years! We are elated to see love extending far beyond our walls to places like Miles School, Pine Ridge Reservation and Camphor Mission in Liberia. Yet, as we celebrate these milestones, we are not FACING backward; we are FAITH-ING FORWARD.

A MESSAGE FROM CHIP FREED

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“ For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future full of hope” (Jeremiah 29:11)

Campaign Co-ChairsGeorge & Nancy HannaChuck & Stephanie Jarrett Keith & Carolyn Brown

Project CoordinatorsJoel PietrantozziLori Spencer

Prayer TeamLori StubbsJohnnie HilliardPeggy BrooksConnie Strong

Advance Gifts TeamBill & Jean SayleKevin & Mary McHughRon & Mary Ann JankePitt CurtissRoger & Cheri ShumakerJoseph & Jackie Parambil

Celebration Event TeamChris & Nea FoltzMark & Kathleen KinneyBridgette Rodgers

Gratitude & Ministry TeamKen & Marie JonesDave & Mary AbbuhlDon & Ramona SlocumLynn Kleinman

Youth & Children TeamMatt & Dawn JarochFred & Linda WheattFlora MarkAli Usifoh

Follow Through TeamChris & Lori HiltyGerald & Trina CarrierDavid LambJeff Kapp

Pastors & Staff RepresentativesChip FreedTerry McHughCraig BerkeyNancy Snell

C A M P A I G N T E A M

You have heard about some of the exciting facility renovations that are being proposed to position us to welcome an even greater number of children and new families into our community of faith. These potential upgrades will assist us in offering even more exciting ministry opportunities. We invite you today to begin praying for the FAITHFORWARD Campaign and ask for God’s guidance in how you might join the vision. Simply ask, “Lord, what do you want to do through me?”

Faithfully, Chip Freed

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What are we raising funding for?First and foremost for our General Operating Budget. With growing ministry needs in a growing congrega-tion, we cannot continually depend on year-end giving to make important ministry decisions. We need strong financial support to “front load” mission and ministry all year long. Secondly, we are raising capital funds for prospective renovations to our facility.

What are the facility upgrades and why do we need them?There are four main areas of facility enhancement:

1. Well-Defined Entrances: There is a saying that “most church buildings are built for those who go there.” We have heard countless com-

ments from newcomers stating that they had no idea where to enter the facility for our worship experi-ences. Our Design Plan enhances our North and West Entrances with columns, canopies, double doors and landscaping in a way that says, “Enter Here.” This also helps us to make the North Lobby usable all year round.

2. Lobby/Gathering Space: Studies say that growing churches have gathering space avail-able on Sunday mornings where half of your

worshipping community can gather and make new friends. Our Design Plan renovates our North Lobby to make it functional and inviting all year long. It also cre-ates a master gathering space where our current court-yard is located. This lobby will be visible and accessible to all worshipping communities with an operating café to serve smoothies and hot drinks.

3. Children’s Theater, Classrooms and Welcome Center: Growing churches offer a Big Room / Small Room approach to children’s

ministry, where children can learn about God in small

groups, as well as in praise, worship and interaction in a larger gathering space. Our Design Plan creates a secure Children’s Wing with Welcome Center and secure check-in through a master lobby; renovated classrooms with up-to-date climate control (there is currently no air conditioning in our Children’s Wing); and a brand new 180-seat Children’s Theater for Large Room activities on Sunday mornings and beyond.

4. Restrooms: Our facility study revealed that our locations, number of stalls and accessibility of our restrooms are not up to par with the cur-

rent number of people worshipping in our facility. For example, in 2004, there were 90 people each Sunday on average worshipping in our Family Life Center. Cur-rently, there are close to 350 people per Sunday with only one restroom available nearby. Our Design Plan provides adequate, available and accessible restrooms for all of our worshipping communities.

What is all of this going to cost?We have a current proposal from the McKnight Group for 2.2 million dollars. With contingencies, this could be a 2.5 million-dollar project, along with added expenses to our General Budget.

I want to get involved… What can I do? How can I help?We hear this more and more! The best way to get involved is to volunteer to serve in either our Hospitality or Children’s Ministry. The new renovations will require many new servants in these areas to make the ministry happen! Pray over serving in Children’s Check-In and Welcome Center, Café server, Mingle Minister in new gathering spaces, etc. For Hospitality interest, contact terri@garfieldchurch.org; for Children’s Ministry inter-est, contact kymm@garfieldchurch.org

How can I learn more about the proposed building addition(s) and renovations?Come to one of our Listening Post sessions where we share information and field ideas, questions and con-cerns. Dates, times and locations were passed out at McKnight Meeting on 8/26, and are listed on the web-site and in the Weekly Pulse. Or, contact a member of our Building Committee; they will be glad to sit down with you. Call our church office at 216-831-1566 or email terri@garfieldchurch.org for a list of Building Committee members and contact information.

I want to give to the Capital Fund, but will have to reduce my present weekly/monthly offering to afford it…is that OK?We appreciate your enthusiasm, but NO. Regular giving to the General Budget must remain first. This is what makes our ministry happen. If you can’t make a second mile gift over the next three years beyond your regular giving, then we would simply ask you to keep giving to the budget and pray for our campaign. As we have stated elsewhere, “not everyone can give to the campaign, but everybody can pray!” Before you make your deci-sion, please pray about your regular giving, and if you can, possibly take a small step up. Did you know that 60% of GMUMC members give LESS than $20/week? Even a small step up can make a world of difference!

Will the amount of my gift(s) remain confidential?Of course! We will not list donors or amounts in any publications.

Is a gift to the building fund Tax Deductable?All gifts to non-profit corporations, such as Garfield Memorial, are tax deductable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sept. 17 Prayer calls begin

Oct. 14 Gratitude Sunday: campaign goals announced, devotionals distributed

Oct 21 Ministry Sunday: celebrating the mission of GMUMC, testimonies and baptisms

Nov 4 Celebration Event: ALL CHURCH offsite worship, meal and celebration!

Nov 17 Commitment Sunday

Dec 2 Celebration Sunday (campaign success shared in worship)

Did you know that Garfield Memorial Church’s average worship attendance has increased by 75% since 2006 and is up 43% in last 22 months?! Where might God be leading us in the next few years?

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