Frequently Asked Questions

How much will it cost?

The Vestry, Finance Committee, Accessibility Committee, and our Capital Campaign Consultant, have been working closely with Matheny Goldmon Architects and local construction companies, to establish a responsible, attainable, and sufficient cost estimate to allow us to complete all aspects of this project. These groups agree that $4.5 million will allow us to fully fund the scope of work. 

Will the church be left with a long-term debt?

The Vestry and Finance Committee agree that holding long-term debt with annual payments is not in the best interest of our parish. We have confidence that this parish has the capacity and the will to reach our capital campaign goal of $4.5 million.  

How will we invite participation in our annual pledge campaign for the 2025 operating budget?

Our annual campaign will run concurrently with our capital campaign. We will invite people to continue their generous and faithful annual giving and consider pledging to the capital campaign over and above their annual giving.

What is the intended timeline for the construction project?

Our current schedule would allow construction to begin in late Spring. We anticipate the project to conclude within 18 months.

Why are we doing this now?

“If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” 1 Corinthians 12:26

Our ministries are severely limited by our facilities. Now is the time for us to set the course for the next generation of ministry as we continue to honor all people. Our church is growing! Every day at Nativity new people are connecting with God, growing spiritually and relationally through our ministries, and serving this church and our larger community. Our staff and volunteer leadership are strong, and we are excited about creating a fully accessible campus. 

What are the priorities and objectives of the project?

The priority is to make all spaces at Nativity accessible so that every person may fully participate in the life and ministry of this parish. This includes having a sufficient number of accessible restrooms.

How will we use our renovated facilities to reach and equip people?

Buildings don’t reach people, we do! The building has always been, and will continue to be, the place from where we do God’s work. Our Accessibility Project will allow us to better fulfill our mission to seek and serve all people. The renovations will facilitate easier movement for everyone throughout our campus, improve our ability to welcome and serve people, and allow us to fully utilize all of our buildings. We are a place “where faith holds wide the door.” We need our buildings to express the warmth and welcome of our people.

Our building seems adequate. Shouldn’t we focus our energy and resources for outreach?

We don’t feel it is an either/or between updating our building and fulfilling our mission. Our mission must continue to happen as we utilize our time, our talents, and our money to reach our community. Giving to the Becoming One Body campaign must be above and beyond our normal giving.

How can I participate?

Pray for this project as you discern your role in it. Participate in our conversations and gatherings. Give generously and sacrificially. Ask questions of the people who can answer them. 

The leadership of this campaign is excited to answer any questions you have. If you are asked to help with some aspects of the campaign, we hope you will say yes. It will be a great opportunity to make a difference and be part of an historic effort that will strengthen our church for generations to come.

How is the Becoming One Body campaign organized?

Parishioners Lisa and David Hardy, and Suzy and Josh Hendrickson are the co-chairs of the campaign. We also have teams working in areas like prayer, celebration, advance commitments, and communication. Richard Rogers, a Senior Vice President with Horizons Stewardship, is our consultant.

What is the schedule for the capital campaign?

We are excited for the Becoming One Body Campaign kick-off party. It will immediately follow our Annual Parish Meeting on January 12th at 4:00 pm. Then, on February 9th during worship services, we will bless and give thanks for your generous gifts. 

How long will the financial commitments for the capital campaign be?

The duration of the campaign is three years (2025-2028). Your commitment can be given as a one-time gift or spread out over three years.

Can I give non-cash gifts?

Yes, in addition to cash gifts, we are able to receive gifts of stock, distributions from IRAs or 401(k)s and other options. You can contact Austin Cook in the church office 256-533-2455 ext. 219, to ask other questions about non-cash contributions. We can assist with the transfer and liquidation of securities at no cost so that the process is easy and efficient.  

What if I have already given to the One Body Campaign?

Your gift is being held in an interest-bearing account which can only be used for the One Body Campaign. 

While the overall campaign goal is set at $4.5 million, because of your generous gifts we only have $3.62 million to go!  

Will the church be closed during any phase of the construction?

Construction will certainly limit our use of some spaces and cause us to think creatively about how we will navigate through our facilities at certain times during the process. However, at no point will the entire church be closed, and we do not anticipate having to relocate for Sunday services.  

Will the accessibility project be affected by the ongoing termite litigation or subsequent remediation plan? 

We expect the accessibility project to begin well before any final decisions can be made regarding the scope and cost of future termite repairs. We are hopeful that the arbitration will result in a financial recovery sufficient to fund any necessary repairs to termite damaged areas.

Becoming One Body