Special Charge Conference:  Monday, May 22, 2006    7:30pm

 

 The Leadership bodies of Mamaroneck United Methodist Church have engaged in over a year of research, analysis, prayer and debate about the future direction our church, specifically the physical plant and how it supports the mission and vision of MUMC.   The MUMC Leadership Council and Board of Trustees call together the members of our church to set forth our recommendations for the management of the church campus and the launch of a capital campaign to further the ministry of our congregation.   These recommendations are at the core of a reallocation of the assets of MUMC.  Specifically, we recommend that MUMC sell the Church House property and reallocate those proceeds to both provide seed money for the forthcoming modifications to the upper and lower church parlors and increase the Endowment Fund to generate additional income for maintenance of our remaining church buildings. 

 

 Additionally we are proposing the launch of a capital campaign for MUMC.  The capital campaign must raise significant funds to restore, refurbish and renovate our existing physical plant, specifically the auditorium and the church parlors.  This necessary work will improve our buildings’ utility to support our ministry, both current and future programs, enhance their rental appeal and provide office and classroom space that will be lost with the sale of the Church House.

 

 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, our buildings are in a state of disrepair.  They are made of wood and therefore require constant care and updating.  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.  In February, one of our small corner steeples was shaken loose during a storm.  As we hope you are aware, we are  currently repairing and refitting all four of the small steeples to replace rotting wood and unstable support beams.    An unspoken policy of deferred maintenance throughout our campus over many decades has caught up to us, and the time for action is now.  We know this is not a popular choice and it is one we do not recommend lightly.  But we are unanimous in our decision.

 

 We have a tremendous heritage, and our future is even brighter than our past.  The work that lies before us is difficult.  We will be asked to have difficult conversations and make difficult decisions, as well as to give of our time, our resources, and our energy in order to secure that bright future.  It is surely 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.  

 

 The following pages offer you additional information about the work of the Master Planning Committee, its research and conclusions.  What follows is a look at all of the options we took into consideration.

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