Congregation Unanimously Approves First Purchase

of Materials for Building Renovations

Central United Methodist Church members voted unanimously at a Church Conference meeting on December 14 to authorize Central’s Building Committee to spend up to $500,000 to purchase building materials and to cover professional fees prior to the congregation’s approval of a full construction contract. This decision helps the church to avoid further construction delays caused by long lead times for items such as the elevator and steel.  These early purchases may also protect us from additional building material cost increases. 

Central will pay for the construction materials out of money raised through the “Central to Our Future” Capital Campaign. The Campaign already has accrued more than $1 million in cash and has received commitments for more than $2.6 million, which is 75 percent of the $3.5 million total Campaign goal. The Capital Campaign committee started their work in mid-June.  The committee will enter a more active phase of fundraising after the first of the year, with the height of activities between February 22 and March 8, 2026 to help us reach our campaign goal.. Anyone who would like to make a financial commitment now is encouraged to contact Dean Francis, chair of the Capital Campaign Committee, at (847) 927-5953.

“The unanimous Conference vote and $2.6 million in gift commitments reflect a strong endorsement of our vision to make our building more accessible and therefore more inclusive for our ministries in the community,” said Rev. Linda Stephan, lead pastor. The renovations will create a new back entrance with an elevator, reconfigure the chancel area with a ramp from the sanctuary to the chancel, and create an all-gender, barrier-free, family-friendly bathroom on the second floor.

“Thank you to all of our church members who have been working very hard on construction planning and fundraising and to everyone who has supported this project financially so far,” Pastor Linda said. “With this latest vote, the project is gaining momentum, and I am confident we will be able to officially start construction this spring.”

At the December 14 Conference, church leaders also provided an updated estimated total budget for the full accessibility renovation project. The estimated cost is $3.95 million, up about $450,000 from the original budget. About half of that increase results from discovery of poor foundation and soil conditions under our existing building, which requires additional engineering and construction plan changes. Other matters include unforeseen professional fees and necessary design changes.

The next official action required by the congregation is to conduct another Church Conference to approve the final construction contract that will include a not-to-exceed final price with construction management firm Cunningham-Limp.  We also will present a financial plan for the project. The Building Committee expects that contract to be complete soon, with a Church Conference likely to be scheduled for late March. Groundbreaking would happen soon after that affirmative vote. Plans call for the bulk of indoor chancel and sanctuary construction to happen during the summer, when many people worship outdoors at Church in the Park. If all goes according to schedule, the new back entrance with an elevator will be complete by Christmas 2026.

Our fundraising efforts have been strong, and we still have many church members and friends who we anticipate will make generous financial commitments to the campaign. We are optimistic we will reach our $3.5 million fundraising goal.

To manage Central’s cash flow as the construction purchases and work begin, Central’s Finance Committee has developed a detailed cash flow plan. That plan takes into consideration the timing for when donations and financial commitments to the project are received and when construction expenses are likely to be due. The cash flow plan also includes review of financing available to Central, if needed, such as internal loans from church reserve funds, and borrowing money for short periods, only if needed, through a line of credit. Meanwhile, the Church Council is considering strategic ways to best use the proceeds from the sale of the Traverse Bay property, which is currently under a signed buy/sell agreement.