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Faith-Lift Capital Stewardship Campaign
“I will lift my eyes to the hills – from where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord Who made heaven and earth!” Psalm 121: 1
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This Campaign is God’s call to the Cranford United Methodist community to provide a “facelift” to our aging building, especially the sanctuary and Randolph Hall, to construct a “lift” or elevator for accessibility to all floors of the church and, above all, to experience a “Lift of Faith” in our personal and congregational stewardship.
What is included and how much will it cost?
Within the informational packet is a list of the projects of the Campaign listed in order of the priorities determined by our Church Council. If, as we pray, the full amount is pledged, we will receive at least $649,500 over the course of the next three years during which these projects will be fulfilled.
What happened to the money that was given for the elevator and other projects several years ago?
That money remaining, after the outside ramp, the renovation of the pews and others projects were completed, is still intact. It has provided start-up funds for this renewed initiative to underwrite this Campaign and to lower the needed costs from the actual total of $690,000.
Why do we need an elevator anyway?
More than a decade ago, committed and forward-looking members of CUMC realized the need to make our building, heavily used by the congregation and the community, fully accessible to all.
Since that time, this elevator is needed more than ever by our own aging members in two worship services, by children in our Sunday School and week-day after-school program, by a multiplicity of outside groups and by folks of all ages and physical abilities whom God is drawing to this facility. And the elevator is only one phase of the Campaign that will repair, renovate and upgrade our sanctuary, Randolph Hall, the outside walkways, our classrooms and the full scope of facilities for all the ministries we provide.
Why have we used this money to hire an outside consultant?
The Faith-Lift Campaign is a major undertaking requiring expertise, time and continuous monitoring for the best use of our resources. Generis is a Christian Stewardship Education ministry with a proven record of enabling churches throughout the country to achieve the goals God has set for them.
Through Generis, we have a Consultant, Dave Anderson, guiding us personally throughout the Campaign. We have printed resources provided to us, especially the multi-age educational program and the LifeStyle Stewardship Bible Study Series, to undergird our calling. And we have a schedule and task descriptions for our many, many church members who are really the ones leading this Campaign.
I’m already giving to the church. Should I use some of this money or am I really expected to give more?
Giving to the Faith-Lift Campaign must come over and above our tithes and offerings to the ongoing ministries and mission of the Church. If you are already giving all that God allows, praise the Lord!
However, we believe that the vast number of the members and friends of this congregation can, through reassessment of our lifestyles, true Christian stewardship and sacrificial giving, provide the resources necessary to make this Campaign a success. Please see the pamphlet entitled “How to Make an Over and Above Gift” or speak to one of the church leaders about this.
What must I do?
Above all, pray. Pray that this truly is God’s will for Cranford United Methodist. And pray individually and with loved ones about your involvement, including your gift, with faith that God will direct and provide.
Next, be part of one of the Life-Style Stewardship Bible Studies being held at various times each week throughout the month of April. Learn from Scripture and with other Christians that which God is saying to us all.
Then be prepared, on May 4, to come to one joint worship celebration to make a three-year commitment to the Campaign and a renewed commitment to the Lord “from Whom (all) our help comes”!
