Mustard Seed Garden, Plaza, and Parking Garage
Mustard Seed Garden Dedication, July 9, 2006
4:30 6:30 p.m. Open House / Reception
5:00 5:30 p.m. Dedication and Rose Planting
The Dedication of the Mustard Seed Garden at First Church was enjoyed by nearly 400 members and friends of the congregation on a sunny Sunday afternoon. The garden, bedecked with white awnings, white-clothed tables, and chairs, took on an even more festive appearance than usual. Tasty and plentiful hors d'oeuvres contributed by Jake's Catering and Doug and Melanie Schmick were enjoyed by all. We are also grateful to Starbucks for providing coffee for the event. Music was provided by members of the Alder Street Quartet: Ann van Bever, Nanita McIlhattan, Lyle Dockendorff and Janet Bebb.
Julie Emry introduced special guests and members of the church who provided leadership to the building program, and Portland's Royal Rosarians planted a rose in the garden in recognition of the church's century and a half of contributions to the life of the city. Jim Milne was thanked for his unflagging efforts in support of this program and his many contributions in making the garden and parking structure a reality. The garden was dedicated to the glory of God and the building up of the church and her mission and with the prayer that it might "be a place where children run and play, where in the beauty of natural surroundings the weary find refreshment, and where in the midst of the stone and concrete of the city all may enjoy the beauty of nature."
Special thanks go to Laurna Shively for her many, many contributions in coordinating this event and making it such an enjoyable and successful gathering. We are grateful also to all who helped advertise, distribute tickets, decorate, set up chairs, tables, and awnings, host, serve, and clean up. It was an experience that will be long remembered and appreciated.
After the garage and plaza were dedicated on March 19 and the garage officially opened on Easter Sunday, April 16, the plaza itself opened for church use on Saturday, May 13. Church attenders, young and old, on Mother's Day enjoyed the beautiful weather in the lovely setting of the new plaza. The grand opening celebration is scheduled for Sunday, July 9.
While construction still proceeds on various areas in the Parish House, the parking garage and plaza are now available for use during the week and on Sundays.
| May 14, 2006 | |
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After more than twenty years of planning and four years of campaign efforts; after innumerable hours of meetings and planning sessions; after considerable effort and generosity, even sacrifice, the First Presbyterian Church Parking Garage and Plaza were dedicated on Sunday, March 19, following the morning service. The ribbon symbolizing the opening of the garage was cut, leaders were recognized, and the garage and plaza were dedicated to the glory of God and the furtherance of the kingdom of heaven on earth.
The three levels of underground parking provide approximately 170 parking spaces for church and commercial use and were operational shortly after the dedication. Members and guests of the congregation, when participating in church-sponsored activities, will be able to park in the garage without charge.
The dedication event featured cake, cookies, coffee and punch, as well as plenty of time to roam around the new garage and, weather permitting, the plaza. A second event, focusing on the plaza and garden, is being planned for Sunday, July 9.
The surface of the underground facility is graced by a landscaped garden and plaza that provides space for our children's ministries and activities; a location for outdoor events such as concerts, weddings, and after-church coffee fellowship; and a quiet place of beauty for rest and reflection in the midst of the city. Members and friends have safe and convenient access to our facilities and our programs. This new visibility and accessibility, we believe, enables us to expand both our membership and our ministry.
 Pastor Dudley Weaver officiates |
 Jim Milne and Alyce Cheatham cut the ribbon |
 Exploring the new garage |
 Exploring the new garage |
 Harold Sawyer Deluxe Garage Tours |
 Will Deming Youthful Garage Tours |
Jubilee II campaign
Jubilee II, a campaign to free the church's annual budget for the full support of a growing mission and ministry, has begun with an amazing outpouring of generosity. Even before the campaign was announced, fourteen families in First Church had pledged nearly 1.1 million dollars toward our 2.2 million-dollar goal. Between now and May 15 every member of the congregation will be asked to consider a three-year pledge in support of this undertaking. The garage and plaza will be enjoyed by all of the members of First Church, and it is hoped that every member will participate in making this vision of access and visibility a reality. Your gifts represent not only the fulfillment of a vision, but also an investment in the future of First Presbyterian and our shared ministry in the name of Jesus Christ.
Even with the amazing generosity of First Church members to the original Jubilee Campaign, $3,500,000 is being borrowed to complete the construction of the garage and plaza. Income from the garage will provide resources for servicing part of that loan, but not all of it. Jubilee II will provide the resources to eliminate or substantially reduce the cost to the church for servicing the construction loan. The increased visibility and access that will result from the successful completion of the building program will enhance the church's efforts to increase both our membership and our program. Jubilee II is about enabling First Church to take full advantage of this opportunity for growth. Please consider your part in this work of the church.
The Jubilee II Leadership Team consists of Erich and Laura Merrill, Mandy Ragan and David Small, and Bob and Linda Lucas.
February 19, 2006
November 21, 2005
October 5, 2005
September 28, 2005
June 2005
So far, 144 member families and friends have pledged $1,319,169 to this campaign to reduce the amount of money having to be borrowed to complete our parking garage and garden project. Every dollar pledged and given reduces the number of dollars upon which interest will need to be paid over the next fifteen years. Every dollar pledged and given will free considerably more dollars for the ministry and mission of the church in the future. Your gift, large or small, makes a difference. Please offer your pledge today. Pledge cards are available in the pew racks.
Demolition of the Danmoore Hotel
Update, April 17, 2005
In less than a year the south side of our historic sanctuary will be visible for the first time in nearly a century. Light will stream through windows once shadowed by the adjacent hotel. Members and friends will have safe and convenient access to our facilities and our programs. In our first Jubilee Campaign members and friends of First Church gave nearly 6 million dollars in support of this undertaking. The congregation later approved borrowing 3.5 million dollars to cover the cost of fully funding the project.
This new visibility and accessibility, we believe, will enable us to expand both our membership and our ministry. The purpose of Jubilee II is to free First Presbyterian to do precisely that. This campaign will provide the resources needed to eliminate or substantially reduce the cost to the church for servicing the construction loan for the next fifteen years, leaving the annual gifts of the congregation to support fully the church s life and growing ministry. Please prayerfully consider what part you can play in this campaign for the future and be prepared to respond when you receive the opportunity to pledge.
Presbyterian Women to present gift to Jubilee Campaign
At their annual meeting in October 2004, the Presbyterian Women's organization of First Presbyterian Church voted to give up to $10,000 in matching funds for first-time pledges to the Jubilee Campaign in 2005. The extraordinary action came after the women had approved their 2005 regular mission budget of $8,300, an almost 10% increase over their 2004 mission budget. Funding for annual mission projects that benefit the women of our community and congregation was first voted upon: Friendly House, Transitional Housing Project, Community Transitional School, Operation Nightwatch, Food Box, West Women's Shelter, Alder Street Learning Center, Samaritan Counseling Center and Women's Retreat Scholarships, as well as a contribution for the Reserve Account for the national Presbyterian Women's Triennium to be held in 2006 in Louisville.
In addition to their increased mission giving, however, the women also voted to present the congregation on December 5 with a one-time Jubilee gift of $10,000 to match first-time pledges given either at the end of this calendar year, or next year. The Women's gift will be presented in worship that morning and will significantly increase the contribution of Presbyterian Women to the Jubilee Campaign over and above their first gift of $15,000 three years ago. Outgoing PW Moderator Bonnie Spencer says, "I'm delighted that the women of our congregation have been so generous to the campaign. For, not only will their gift help provide safe and accessible parking in the years to come, we hope the Women's gift will also serve to jumpstart the campaign as construction begins early next year by stimulating critical new gifts for the parking lot and plaza project."
Under Construction
Please excuse the various temporary changes in the building over the next year. The City of Portland has required the church to install a variety of different doors while the construction project next door proceeds. In addition, there will be limitations on the use of various parts of the building. In particular, the use of Geneva Hall and Calvin Library will be restricted to Wednesday evenings, Saturday, and Sunday. The number of people allowed to assemble in the Whitman Room will be limited to ninety-three, while the maximum capacity for Geneva and Calvin during construction will be 220. The Makemie Room (youth room) will be unavailable for use, as will the three rooms occupied by the Samaritan Counseling Center, until the southwest stairwell in the Parish House has been extended to the third floor. Presently the stairwell, rarely used by anyone, extends from Geneva Hall to the second floor. This interior construction project will take place during the work on the total project. Updates will be provided throughout the construction. We're on the way!
Important Dates
April 16-17: Crane arrives
April 18-26: Demolition of Danmoore Hotel
April 21-29: Removal of Debris