GENERAL:
Why are we doing this now? What does the work include and how was the scope of the work decided?
The work addresses time-critical projects necessitated by the impact of Hurricane Ida and the normal aging of our buildings. A thorough study of our roofs and buildings was undertaken before deciding on the scope of this Capital Campaign. The work includes reconstructing the undercroft (destroyed by Ida), rebuilding the Rectory (extensive flood, water, and mold damage), repairing our roofs, and renovating the bathrooms in the school wing. A more detailed description of the scope is included in the packet.
What will the improvements to our physical plant mean for our mission and work? How will we use our renovated facilities to better serve the parish and our community?
The new Rectory will provide a safe and comfortable home where our Rector, and future rectors, can live. Both the rebuilt undercroft and Rectory will provide much-needed space for parish activities and our ministries. The undercroft – including our well-used kitchen – is being reconfigured in a way that meets the growing needs of our parish, our ministries, and our community. The space, which we have sorely missed since Hurricane Ida, will provide more opportunities for fellowship and for working together on projects that support our ministries.
Will the Capital Campaign have benefits for St. John’s beyond the raising of funds?
The Capital Campaign will provide opportunities for parishioners to strengthen their relationship with St. John’s and God, will contribute to long-term stewardship, and will help to instill a giving culture, which is key to St. John’s longer-term financial security.
FINANCIAL:
How do the funds St. John’s aims to raise from this Capital Campaign differ from the annual stewardship funds and the investment funds?
The money raised from the Capital Campaign will pay for the specific major capital projects outlined above. Our annual stewardship drive raises money for our day-to-day operating expenses, such as staff salaries, utilities, and routine maintenance of the facilities. The earnings from our investment funds are intended for emergency needs and routine capital improvements. While our investment funds have been used to supplement annual stewardship in the past, that is not sustainable in the long term.
What happens if we are unable to raise the total $3.2 million?
$1.6 million has already been pledged and commitments are being made towards the remaining $1.6 million. We are asking everyone to prayerfully consider how they can contribute to the Capital Campaign over the next three years. Because the Campaign includes only essential work, the projects will need to be completed. If we fall short, we will need to use our investment funds to cover the shortfall, and then seek ways to replenish it.
Why isn’t the reconstruction of the undercroft being covered by insurance?
St. John’s experienced extensive damage from Hurricane Ida to both the church offices and the undercroft. The damage required demolition and reconstruction of the entire undercroft and offices and replacement of all electrical systems (including the master incoming electrical supply housed in the undercroft), HVAC units, and the elevator. In addition, we determined that significant drainage and flood mitigation work was required to protect these spaces from future water infiltration. The cost of this work exceeds the $1,000,000 we received from our insurance carrier. Although most insurance policies do not cover floods, our carrier, Church Insurance, included that coverage to its policyholders, and those funds provided much needed cash during the early stages of the remedial work on the undercroft and repairs to the church offices.
How often does the church have a capital campaign?
Capital campaigns are a way for organizations, including churches, to raise funds for major capital work, and are generally held infrequently. St. John’s last capital campaign, which kicked off more than twelve years ago, in 2011, focused on our worship space and raised just under $1 million. Prior to that, the transformational 1999-2001 “Outward and Visible Sign” capital project raised $2.5 million and enabled significant renovations to the cloister walk/hallway, Murray Hall/undercroft, the Thorne Room, and related building systems.
Why do you need my help if you already have some large gifts?
The Capital Campaign is about more than the money. Everybody can make important contributions through donations of any size as well as other ways to participate in the Campaign. One of the goals of the Campaign is equal sacrifice, not equal giving. The Campaign is not complete until everyone’s participation is counted. And, we will not be able to reach our goal without everyone’s help.
PROJECT DETAILS:
We spent a lot of money recently on the belltower and sections of the roof. Why is more work on the roof needed now?
When the belltower and roofing project was undertaken in 2017, we were advised that major work would need to be done on the roof and additional masonry structures within the next ten years.
Why isn’t the entire roof being replaced instead of repaired?
In order to determine the needs of our roofing system, St. John’s hired Watsky Associates, Inc., a well-regarded independent roofing consultant, to complete a thorough study of our roofs. The detailed study, which was completed in 2023, determined that the base of our roof was in better shape than previously thought, and that the recommended repairs would enable our roof to last for at least another 20 years. The Watsky report also detailed needed repair and maintenance work on various other roof structures throughout the St. John’s campus.
What rain/storm/hurricane mitigation work has been done to the church and Rectory? Do we think that we will avoid major damage from a future storm such as Ida?
Both the undercroft and Rectory have been victims of rising ground water AND incoming water from floods. In the time since Hurricane Ida (September 2021), our engineers have been able to observe the water patterns very closely in subsequent storms, which has enabled them to address the root of the water issues. Both of those water sources have been taken into account in designing the drainage plans. A subfloor with a French drain system is being installed in both facilities. In addition, the undercroft’s windows, window wells, and steps have been raised. For the Rectory, we are raising the foundation 16 inches and grading the soil away from the house as well as adding new dry wells. Although our engineers cannot guarantee that we will not experience further issues with water, we believe that we have taken all reasonable steps to prevent future water infiltration.
Why is the Rectory being rebuilt instead of being repaired?
The Rectory suffered major water damage from rising ground water, as well as incoming water from floods over the years, leading to serious structural damage and mold. Built in 1990, there was insufficient grading of the lot away from the structure, as well as an ineffective drainage system. The stucco system used in 1990 (EIFS) was new to the market and widely used at that time. Unfortunately, that stucco system was not as watertight as expected and it exacerbated the water/mold issues. To address the water and construction issues properly and avoid future problems, in June of 2022, the Vestry determined, in consultation with a number of builders and engineers, that the repair route would be very challenging, would not guarantee solving all of the issues, and would cost nearly as much as rebuilding ($1.3+ million vs. $1.7 million). The new Rectory will be greatly improved to better serve our Rector, our community, and our mission.
Is there work not being covered by this Campaign that will need to be addressed in the next 5-10 years?
Because our beautiful buildings are old they will require ongoing maintenance to prevent more serious issues. St. John’s has received a detailed exterior structures long-term maintenance plan from Diane Kease Engineering which will help us to plan for the ongoing needs of our stone buildings. We believe we will be able to use the income from our investment funds for such work.
HOW TO SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN:
How can I help (beyond making and paying a pledge to this Capital Campaign)?
You can definitely say your prayers, and when called upon to serve on one of the committees, or attend an event related to this Campaign, please say yes! Along the way in this Campaign, we will strengthen our relationships, expand our vision and mission, and experience a sense of joy and gratitude. Be a part of that excitement!
Can non-cash gifts be given?
Yes! In fact, appreciated investments held more than one year, such as publicly traded stocks, mutual fund shares, and bonds, may provide significant tax advantages to the donor. Donating appreciated assets to the church, which the church will then sell, eliminates potential capital gains taxes that the donor may otherwise incur. For those aged 72 and over, contributions may also be given through charitable IRA rollovers from traditional or Roth IRAs. Please consult your personal tax professional for advice on your tax position. For more information on how to give stocks, mutual fund shares, and bonds, please click here.
Over how many years can a pledge to the Capital Campaign be paid?
Capital Campaign pledges may be paid over three years.
Does my stewardship commitment count towards a Capital Campaign pledge?
Contributions to the Capital Campaign are separate from annual stewardship. Stewardship commitments support St. John’s day-to-day operations while donations to the Capital Campaign fund the capital projects described above.
GENERAL/OTHER:
Who will be overseeing the Campaign?
Ollie Maggard is the Campaign chair. He, the Rector, and a team of parishioners, along with St. John’s staff and our consultant Richard Rogers from Horizons Stewardship, will be overseeing the Campaign.
Who will be overseeing the actual work on the physical plant?
The Junior Warden and the Rector meet with the architect and contractor on both the undercroft and Rectory projects on a biweekly basis, more often as needed. Updates are then relayed to the Vestry and expenses reviewed by the Vestry’s Executive Committee. St. John’s anticipates utilizing a construction management firm for the roof and masonry work.
Why are we using (and paying) a fundraising consultant?
As we have done for past capital campaigns, we have enlisted the help of a consultant with expertise in capital campaigns for churches to guide us. Rev. Lisa worked with Richard Rogers, of Horizons Stewardship, at her previous church. Richard has partnered with a number of churches across a variety of denominations and geographic regions in successful capital campaigns of all sizes. Tapping into Richard’s expertise enables the St. John’s Capital Campaign Leadership Team to work as effectively and efficiently as possible.
What is the schedule for the Capital Campaign and the work that it covers?
Upcoming key dates for the Capital Campaign include: April 21, Gratitude Sunday; May 5, Ministry Sunday; and May 19, Commitment Sunday. Three-year gifts will be collected through mid-2027. In terms of the work, we anticipate the undercroft being completed this spring and the Rectory, by early 2025. Roof work will hopefully begin in the summer of 2024 and move forward in stages under the advisement of our construction management firm and the roofing contractor. The bathrooms in the school wing will be addressed in summer of 2025.
Who can answer my questions, with respect to the Campaign as well as the work being done?
If you have any questions about the Campaign itself or the work being done, please feel free to contact Rev. Lisa or Ollie Maggard.