Opening the Toolbox

Questions and answers about the sanctuary renovation and organ replacement which appeared in the May 9, 2004, issue of Steeple Notes.

Is the logo depicted here the theme for a campaign to complete the organ project and refurbish the sanctuary?

    That's exactly what it is. Expect to see a lot of it in the next few weeks.

What can you say about the campaign colors and images?

    Look for bright yellows with black printing and think in terms of construction tape.

Who is providing leadership for this year's campaign?

    Paul and Alta Yager are serving as honorary co-chairpersons, with Ann Van Deusen joining Sue and Russ Ives as campaign co-chairpersons.

Don't those five represent a lot of years in the sanctuary of First Church?

    When you add their sanctuary years together, you come up with 221. In fact, Russ Ives was the first person baptized in our present sanctuary 52 years ago.

Is Lindsay Hinz lending her creative talents to the effort?

    We couldn't do it without her.

What is the timetable for the campaign?

    Neil Ferguson will launch it with a brief introduction at all four services this Sunday (May 9). Hopefully, we will all be prepared to celebrate Pentecost with our gifts and pledges of support on June 6.

Will the campaign include creative visuals and mailings along with heartfelt testimonials?

    All of the above and more.

What is the financial goal for this capital project?

    Once previous commitments are subtracted, it will take $1,560,541 to complete the funding for the project.

What other funds do we have in hand?

    We have an initial gift of $1,000,000 which will fully fund the cost of the new Schoenstein organ. Other gifts and memorials accumulated across the years add an additional $30,000. What's more, the Board of Trustees has escrowed $100,000 per year (2001-2004) for a total of $400,000.

Does this mean that the total cost of the project is in the neighborhood of $2,990,541?

    Exactly.

Once the organ is paid for ($960,000), what are the other major costs?

    Improving the sanctuary sound through of a state-of-the-art method known as electronic acoustics will increase the budget by $580,812, with construction costs adding another $592,465 and chancel furnishings adding $79,200.

What makes up the remainder of the budget?

    A whole lot of things like design and consulting fees, permits, insurance and asbestos abatement costs.

What about contingencies?

    In the amount of $193,992, they are really quite liberal.

Does this mean there could conceivably be a cost savings at the end of the day?

    Given the conservatism of our cost accounting process, we certainly hope so.

Where can we find a more detailed analysis of these numbers?

    For you who like your information in narrative form, questions and answers (seven pages) were mailed to every member household in early March and are available from the church office or on our website. We will also be happy to provide detailed financial data to anyone who inquires.

Will detailed descriptions of the work to be done be covered in this space?

    Watch the next three editions of this publication.

Is the new organ presently under construction?

    The work is taking place in San Francisco, even as we speak.

Have experts in the field endorsed our choice of company and model?

    Resoundingly so (with hints of discernable envy).

When will the work on the sanctuary begin?

    In the week between the last Sunday of 2004 (December 26) and the first Sunday of 2005 (January 2).

Will we be able to use the sanctuary during construction?

    No, but we will have Runkel Chapel available for very small weddings and memorial services and the Christian Life Center for larger ones.

How long will we worship as "displaced persons"?

    In the initial period, about twelve weeks. We have every expectation of worshiping in the newly-refurbished sanctuary on Easter Sunday, March 27. Some of us are holding out for Palm Sunday, March 20.

Will we be able to hear our new organ on Easter 2005?

    No, we will be able to worship in a completely refurbished sanctuary (with great sound and great lighting), but the organ itself will be installed during a two-week period in mid-May.

Will this mean a second exodus to the CLC?

    Yes, but only for a pair of Sundays.

When will we finally get to hear the new organ in all of its fullness?

    It depends on what you mean by "fullness." Organs are not stock items, but are individually crafted and "voiced" to a particular room. We will most certainly hear the organ shortly after installation, but "voicing" (which is done by hand and involves small metal files) will continue to take place for several weeks. Look for a major "blow-out celebration" in September of 2005.