First (Scots) Generations Campaign Blog

ACORN Committee Updates

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 09:44:00 -0400

The ACORN Committee is now preparing updates on a weekly basis that itemize the work that is scheduled and completed for that week. You may view these updates on the ACORN Committee Log page (http://www.firstscotsgenerations.org/acorn-committee-log/) .

Final BAR Approval

Mon, 18 May 2009 21:36:00 -0400

At its meeting on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, Charleston's Board of Architectural Review gave final approval to First (Scots)'s building plans.

Neighborhood Meeting May 12

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:19:00 -0400

Trey McCraw, Chair of the ACORN Committee, has announced a neighborhood meeting to be held in Molly Wier Hall at 5:00 o'clock on the afternoon of May 12. He writes,

We will have a presentation to start and will address all questions and concerns that you might have. We will also have key members of our project team in attendance.

I do ask that you submit a list of questions by May 6 to insure that we are able to address them in a succinct and factual manner.

We at First (Scots) continue to be committed to doing what we can to be a good neighbor through such a complex project and remain fervent in refining this type of communication.

Interested parties should send questions to Trey McCraw by May 6 in care of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church, 53 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC, 29401. They may also reach him at the phone number or email address that he distributed directly to neighborhood homes in an earlier flyer.

Postings for Apr., 18, 2007

Sat, 18 Apr 2009 08:14:00 -0400

The ACORN update for April 18, 2009, includes information on the latest BAR meeting and the minor revisions to the construction schedule that it has necessitated. Also listed in the upadate are the names and approval dates of the requests submitted so far to the BAR and BZA. Click here to see Trey McCraw's report.

A number of Joel Bateman's pictures from Celebration Sunday have been posted under the Photos tab at the top of the page. The joy is palpable. Check them out.

Neighborhood Impact

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:50:00 -0400

The ACORN Committee is working diligently to minimize the effects of the construction on the neighbors, to keep the neighbors informed about the process, and to keep communication open between the neighbors and the Committee. For details, please see the April 6, 2009, update on the ACORN Committee's log.

Campaign Pledges Update

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:46:00 -0400

Progress Report

As of March 31, 2009, receipts and pledges for the 2009 Generations Campaign came to $2,053,023.

This brings the combined total for the 2004 and 2009 campaigns to $5,728,164, with 785 individuals participating.

This is very good news, but we are still $1,470,000 short of the goal of $7,200,000.

Postings for March 27, 2009

Fri, 27 Mar 2009 07:27:00 -0400

1. If you still haven't made your pledge to the Generations Campaign because you've misplaced your pledge card, you may print one by clicking on the "Giving" tab at the top of the page and then the "Print Pledge Card" tab in the left column. Or simply click here.

2. Do you think we should continue to have two worship services during the construction period? Please register your opinion by completing the online survey by April 26. It's available on the Home Page, or by clicking here.

3. The ACORN Committee has announced that Charleston's Board of Architectural Review (BAR) is scheduled to vote on final approval of the construction project on April 8.

Pledges Received as of March 16

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:35:00 -0400

As of Monday, March 16, 2009, we have received 209 pledges for a total of $1,824,865 toward our goal of $3.6 million.

BAR Approval

Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:17:00 -0500

At its meeting on Wednesday, February 25, the Board of Architectural Review, which has authority over changes to existing buildings in the historic district of Charleston, and of construction of new ones, gave preliminary approval for the plans for our building project, including its scope, size, placement, and major architectural features. This approval is a huge hurdle for the project, one long in coming. All that now remains is BAR's approval for relatively minor external features. It means that we are on track for construction to begin in June. Congratulations and thanks to Trey McCraw and the rest of the ACORN Committee for all the work it took to reach this point.

ACORN Update for February 18, Prayer Request Form, Prayer Vigil

Sat, 21 Feb 2009 11:00:00 -0500

Trey McCraw, the Chair of the ACORN Committee, will post regular notes on the committee's activities and the progress of the construction. They will be posted on the "ACORN Committee Log" subpage of the "Construction" tab. Go to the first posting, dated February 18, 2009, by clicking here.

Web users may submit prayer requests for the March 1-2 Prayer Vigil by means of the interactive prayer request form. It may be found on the "Submit a Prayer Request" subpage of the "Prayer and Study" tab, or by clicking here.

Information for those who attend in the March 1-2 Prayer Vigil, especially the Facilitators, appears on a subpage of the "Prayer and Study" tab. Find it by clicking here.

New Postings for Feb. 18, 2009

Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:26:00 -0500

Today's postings include two diagrams and one chart:

The current floor plan for the new kitchen (December 19, 2008)

The current site plan (February 2, 2009)

The current master calendar for construction (January 26, 2009)

Financial Summaries

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:15:00 -0500

A subpage has been added on which summaries of the financial status of the Generations Campaign will be posted at regular intervals. To find it, go to "Plans," then to "Costs and Finances," and then to "Financial Summaries."

The first summary is dated February 1, 2009.

The Financial Summaries page may be accessed directly by clicking here.

Devotional Posted

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:26:00 -0500

A devotional entitled "Go Forward" is now posted. It speaks directly to the Christian's need for faith and perseverence as he or she sets out to do God's will. It may be accessed through the sidebar of the "Prayer & Study" section, or by clicking here.

Pat McKinney's Stewardship Talk

Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:14:00 -0500

Pat McKinney's powerful talk on stewardship, presented to the congregation on February 8, has been added as one of the sub-pages in the "Giving" section. You can go directly to that page by clicking HERE.

Dr. Massie's February 8 Letter to Congregation

Sun, 08 Feb 2009 21:19:00 -0500

Dear Members and Friends of First (Scots),

As we first considered what we might entitle our building fund campaign to enlarge and improve our facilities for ministry here at First (Scots), what kept running through my mind was the word GENERATIONS. And the verse I seemed incapable of shaking was Psalm 145:4 — “One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts.” That is truly what this project is all about! It is not about a building, although getting all the necessary approvals for our building’s design and placement has occupied our time and effort since 2004. Rather this project is about equipping present and future generations for ministry and mission so that we and those who come after us may continue to praise God and to declare his mighty acts throughout the earth.

Previous generations who have served the Lord at the corner of Meeting and Tradd Streets have certainly left us a goodly heritage in story and in stone, and now we have the opportunity and privilege of doing something significant and sacrificial for those who are being called and will continue to be called to follow in the footsteps of our Lord. Of course, we will preserve the best of what we have received from those who have gone before us, building on their foundations; but with God’s help we will also help to provide a future for those who will follow after us. Organized in 1731, First (Scots) Presbyterian Church has now entered upon its fourth century of service in Christ’s name.

It is my hope and prayer that what we finally build together will not simply be a physical facility, however lovely or functional, but rather a spiritual dwelling in which the living God will be encountered and praised, and through which God will be served as new generations of disciples are equipped for faithful and effective service. More important than the physical stones, the brick and the mortar, are the people whom Peter refers to in 1 Peter 2:5 as “living stones” who are built into a spiritual house. Let those of us in this current generation work and pray and teach and tell and, yes, give of ourselves and our resources so that as “living stones” we may provide a future in which coming generations will know of the Lord’s mighty and marvelous works and praise God for them.

Together in His service,

Daniel W. Massie
Pastor

Dr. Massie's February 2 Letter to Congregation

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:17:00 -0500

Dear Members of our First (Scots) Church family,

I want to encourage you to join us for worship this coming Sunday, February 8, if at all possible. This is PRESENTATION SUNDAY and we are working diligently to have packets available for households of our active members, giving you more details and information relative to our GENERATIONS Building Campaign. You will see the design and floor plan of our new structure along with information from our Steering Committee.

Sunday, March 15, is CONSECRATION SUNDAY at which time we will invite every member or household in First (Scots) to make a sacrificial commitment to fund our new and renovated facilities. Only a third of our members made a pledge in 2004 when the campaign originated but we are striving for 100% participation this time around. Our original project had to be changed substantially and we believe now that this was providential. However, your involvement is even more critical for the church’s mission now and into the future.

Sunday, March 29, is CELEBRATION SUNDAY, when the results of our combined efforts will be announced. A big event after worship is being planned and I know you will want to be a part of this historic effort which will serve the needs of generations to come.

We hope to begin demolition and construction early in June! Do join with us this next Sunday for worship and pick up your packet as you enter the church.

Sincerely,

Daniel W. Massie, Pastor