NOTICE OF SPECIAL CONGREGATION MEETING

SUNDAY, AUGUST 25^TH IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING WORSHIP

August 11, 2024

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On Sunday, August 25^th a special congregation meeting will be held in order to take action on three motions recommended by the Congregation Council to address significant projects presented by the Property Committee.  Each project’s expense will exceed $5000, and therefore approval by the congregation is required.   These motions are the only agenda items, and no other business may be conducted at this meeting.

In March the condensate pump for the boiler in the main building was replaced on an emergency basis, and we only recently received the invoice for this work.  Earlier this year we received notice from our insurance carrier, Brotherhood Mutual, that the sidewalk in front of the church required repairs.  Finally, the heating system in the Parish House needs to be improved prior to the coming heating season; this item, in addition to considering air conditioning for the house, was prioritized by the Council at its June retreat.

As two points of information, as of the end of July, the Property Improvement Fund (PIF) had a balance of $7163.66 and a balance of $313,776.57 was in the Hartranft Bequest Fund.

Motion #1 - On advice from the Property Committee, the Congregation Council recommends that the Congregation authorize payment of $8113.84 to C Mechanical for the March, 2024 invoice related to the installation of a new condensate pump for the steam boiler in the main building.  Because this represents a significant capital improvement,  $7163.66 will come from the Property Improvement Fund (PIF) and the remainder ($950.18) will come from the General Fund.   Tim Werstler, treasurer, has indicated that as future contributions to the PIF are made that they be used to reimburse the General Fund.

Motion #2 - On advice from the Property Committee, the Congregation Council recommends that the Congregation authorize the use of the Hartranft Bequest Fund to make full payment to GH Mechanical for contracted work to repair the broken and uneven sidewalk in front of the church along West Walnut Street.  The estimated expense is $5689.00.

Motion #3 - On advice from the Property Committee, the Congregation Council recommends that the Congregation authorize the use of the Hartranft Bequest Fund to make full payment to C Mechanical for contracted work to convert the existing boiler in the Parish House from oil to natural gas and to make necessary changes to provide more balanced heat between the first and second floors of the Parish House. Natural gas heating will also be cleaner and more cost effective than oil.  The estimated cost is $7800.00.   (Note: This work represents a first phase in Parish House improvements; future plans will include consideration of air conditioning for the building.)

 

Sincerely,

Marcus W. Thomsen

Council President