Ongoing Plans for the Sanctuary Renovation

Beloved members and friends of ESUMC,

As I shared with you in our last newsletter, in late December the first phase of the sanctuary renovation project was completed, with the removal of the faulty ceiling that forced our displacement from our worshipping home. The photo above shows the sanctuary with the old ceiling fully removed.

Over the last few weeks, the engineers and design team have continued their visioning and planning for the installation of the new ceiling and the other required repairs to the sanctuary. We expect that the installation work will begin in early February, and will last several months. While no fixed date has been set for the return of our two congregations to the sanctuary, we do expect the sanctuary to be open again for use by the start of our Annual Conference on 29 May. Thus for the next months, we will continue to gather for worship in the current space on the first floor.

Again we express our gratitude to the UMC of Austria, which is overseeing the project and funding the majority of the renovation work. A portion of the cost of some of the cosmetic improvements to the sanctuary may be borne by our two congregations. These details will be discussed by the Joint Board and our Church Councils, and members will be informed. Marilyn Brandl and Franz Haslinger will join me in representing ESUMC in the review of renovation plans and visions for the use of the sanctuary.

Our Church Council and I are grateful to you all, the members and friends of our congregation, for your steadfast prayerful support, as we await the renewal of our sanctuary. In the meantime, let us continue in our mission of witnessing the love of God to the world around us.

Yours in Christ, Pastor John