First Presbyterian Launches "Ignite the Spirit" Campaign 24 Oct 2010

Today officially launches First Presbyterian's 3-year capital campaign to renew, rebuild, and revitalize the church building and ministry.  Jerry Godbehere explained the concepts to the children during the Children's Chat with a Treasure Chest.  Later in the service, Barbara Tuttle gave testimony to the joy of giving of all that she has, her time, her talents, and her treasures, in thankfulness for the wonderous pleasures of life in Christ.  After church, everyone was free to pick up a packet of materials about the campaign (and if you were not there, expect a visit).

Enthusiastic volunteers  assembled "Ignite
 the Spirit" packets on Saturday afternoon

I should know about that packet.  I was on hand yesterday at the church to see the assembly line (photo provided).  Inside each package you will find the following:

1. A large Tri-fold Brochure - this is a keeper folks.  Besides a pocket to hold all the inserts, the booklet shell itself contains most of the vital information about the campaign, including a calendar of events.  The cover picture of FPC at night is gorgeous!  If you or your children have done anything in the past few years at all, you might find yourselves in one of the several dozen photos on the various panels.
2. A cover letter explaining the contents of the packet.
3. A sheet showing who is on what committee, from executive director, Jerry Godbehere on down (Guess who's the "print coordinator"?)
4. A Campaign "Giving Map" to test our logic skills.  Okay this is easy, really.  If you look at the Weekly Commitment column at the bottom, and see that if 20 people, gave $5 a week that would result in a three year donation of $780 per person, or $15,600 for all 20 pledges.  So even youth can make sacrificial pledges that have a tremendous impact!
5. A New Testament with a daily prayer reminder bookmark.
6. A brochure from Generis Partners, explaining how to make an "Over and Above" gift.
7. A DVD explaining the FPC Capital Campaign.  I was going to show you this but at 18 minutes, it's a doozy.  (I will try to see it I can put it up in segments of a few minutes each on youtube and embed it here).

Handbell Music rings in "Ignite the Spirit" Campaign

As for how to make an over and above donation?  Especially if you are already giving all that you can for your annual pledge, this could be tricky if you don't know the secrets.  This 3 year gift is meant to be s-a-c-r-i-f-i-c-i-a-l.  Which means, for me, if I forsake my 5 times a week Starbucks "grande americano" at $2.70 each, and buy a tall regular coffee, I have $5 a week available for the capital campaign.  And if I settle for the coffee I could make at home at least 3 times a week, that adds up to about $10 a week "sacrificed" to transform our church, or  $1560!! 

Looking ahead at the Campaign Calendar panel on my packet, I see we can look forward to "Emphasis Sunday" and "Big Event" Sunday.  I won't give away the dates; you can check your packets, (but I hear there's going to be a party).