This past Tuesday the building was full and it was so great. I don’t usually work in the evening but I was working with MJaye, our new custodian on his first day. In the building we had; a meeting in the Boardroom, a young peoples group in the Lounge, dancers in the Hall and a choir rehearsing in the Sanctuary. I stood in the lobby and soaked in all the energy and different voices. It seems like the tide may truly have turned and people are back gathering here again.

I really enjoyed that moment because there have been some unusual bumps this year. Our building is quite new and in the last 5 years, there have not been any significant repairs. This last season the building has needed some love; replacing the annunciator which (I now know) is a part of our fire alarm system, ($1,500), a new compressor for the main level AC ($3,000), and the TX valve that the compressor damaged when it broke ($2,000). We installed a new boiler coil for the main furnace for $5,000 which promptly broke but is under warranty. We are also experiencing too many dropped calls so we are looking into new phones as well.

The projects that we planned for are going well (if a bit slowly). We are waiting on the famous ‘supply chain” to send us the parts to update the lower level AC approved by the congregation. Which will be a great relief in next year’s heat and possibly smoke. The Lift is also in the mail (so to speak) and the contractor who will be preparing the space is getting ready to make some dusty noise. Once he gives me the word I will tarp the area to keep the dust in check! I am grateful that the Lift project is in motion. I hate to say a date it will be complete BUT the contractors are in communication and doing their best.

Thank you to all who (like me) love our building! She is upright, beautiful, and doing her best for us all.

~ Florence Ballard