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Text Box: Members of the Master Planning Committee were: Sandy Hobbs, Chair Steve Gill, Trustee Javier Viera, Pastor Henry Hobbs, Memorial Garden Sub-Comm. Bruce Cauley, Finance Chair Susan Jones, Staff-Parish Relations Carol Cauley, Council Chair Richard Merrell, Member-at-Large Scott Dieter, Trustee Frank Spencer, Staff-Parish Relations Members of the Board of Trustees: David Barney Steve Gill Bill Laroza Carol Bloom Sandy Hobbs Julia Longacre Scott Dieter Coralie Joseph Bill Shaner Members of the Church Leadership Council: Javier Viera, Pastor Steve Gill, Education Chair Jennifer Morrow, Minister Christian Educ. Sandy Hobbs, Trustees President Tom Crawford, Director of Music Susan Jones, Staff-Parish Rel. Chair Kathy Barney, Financial Secty. Diane Lewis, Nominations Secty. Carol Bloom, Lay Delegate to Annl Conf. Richard Merrell, Evangelism Chair Amy Brelia, Council Treasurer Kris Pegno, Worship Chair Bruce Cauley, Finance Chair Frank Spencer, Nurture Chair Carol Cauley, Council Chair Cathy Sullivan, Council Secty. Sue Gill, Lay Leader Pam Tucker, Outreach Chair

A Message from Pastor Javier

Dear Friends,

An oft quoted adage in church circles goes something like this: The church is people, not a building. True indeed. Yet, it is only partially true. Certainly the community of people gathered here, and all those who have gone before, is the true essence of Mamaroneck United Methodist Church. However, the visible, tangible symbol of our life together is the beautiful and historic buildings we have inherited. It is almost impossible to conceive of our life together apart from the buildings where our worship, education, service and fellowship take form. These buildings are our heritage, and they are essential to our future, and we thank God for them.

However, friends, our buildings are in a state of disrepair. More importantly, their present condition inhibits our ability to further the ministry and growth of this congregation. Fifteen years ago a bell fell from our steeple into the narthex. It was a clarion call to the congregation that something radical had to be done. Today we are choosing not to wait for another dramatic incident before taking action. An unspoken policy of deferred maintenance over many decades has caught up to us, and the time for action is now. This special edition of the Messenger provides much information with regard to our physical plant, but I encourage you to read it not simply as information; rather, read it as a message of love—a message intended to awaken us to a deeper reality in order to propel us into a future full of promise and possibility.

We have a tremendous heritage, and our future is even brighter than our past. The work that lies before us is difficult; let us not pretend otherwise. We will be asked to make difficult decisions, as well as to give of our time, our resources, and our energy in order to secure that bright future. It’s worth it, friends. Our mission to love God and neighbor is the most important work there is, and it requires the very best we have to offer. Now is the time.

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