Salem's Capital Campaign

Building on the Past, Accessing our Future

Our Campaign Logo and Slogan

Salem's historical integrity is important to many of its members. By stressing that we are building on the past, we hope to assure people that we want to preserve the past while also expanding our ministry. We want to access our future, especially in the sense of handicap accessibility, which is sorely needed. This is a unifying effort, and we hope that by combining our rich past and taking steps to look to the future, the people of Salem can rally together and strengthen the church.

Campaign Prayer

Dear Lord,

Thank you for your many BLESSINGS and for our Church! This has been a site of WORSHIP AND PRAISE for over 120 years. We thank You for those who have worked and sacrificed for our benefit.

Lord we are so grateful for the people who are participating in YOUR campaign. Please send your Holy Spirit to guide their hearts and minds as we BUILD ON THE PAST to ACCESS OUR FUTURE according to YOUR will.

Please be with us now and unify our efforts and commitments so we may provide a constant place of meaningful and vibrant worship, nourishing fellowship, and loving service to our community and to the world.

ALL OUR PRAYERS WE LIFT UP TO YOU IN THE NAME OF OUR LOVING SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD.

AMEN

From your Campaign Co-Chairpersons

Dear Salem Lutheran Family,

Since the last campaign newsletter, a lot of people have been working hard on the many aspects of the capital campaign. These campaign newsletters will keep you advised of the latest plans and developments.

The Events Committee has organized the campaign events that everyone will have an opportunity to attend. These events are a great opportunity for you to learn more about the campaign as well as meet other members of our church.

The Communications Committee has developed our campaign theme, Building on the Past, Accessing our Future which you will see used on all of the campaign materials.

The Prayer Committee has written the Campaign Prayer which is above. We ask that all Salem members and friends make it a part of their daily prayers.

Finally, the Steering Committee has set a goal of $800,000 for this campaign. We want to emphasize that every household needs to make a commitment ot this campaign on June 9-10. We can't expect just a few people to shoulder the responsibility to commit this amount.

If we all make a pledge - no matter the amout - we know we can reach our goal. In the time before our Commitment Weekend, plan to attend one of the events and pray daily for our church community.

God Bless,

Chris & Paula Hahn
BJ & Terri Fevold
Capital Campaign Co-Chairs

Questions and Answers

Making a financial commitment to our church is a major decision. It is very important that members and friends of Salem Lutheran Church pray about the decision. It is also very important that people receive sufficient information to help with their decision. The Q&A below is provided to keep you informed.

Q: Has the church voted already to go ahead with the plans to build the addition to the church with an elevator, handicapped accessible restrooms, offices, enlarged narthex, classrooms and church hall?

A: No. The only thing the church has voted on is to go forward with the capital campaign to raise money for the addition. Once we see how much money will be available, then we will determine how much of the construction we want to do. Our goal is to complete the entire irst phase of the project which includes the elevator, restrooms, offices and enlarge the narthex.

Q: How will I be asked to give?

A: Each person or family is asked to make a sacrificial gift to the Building on the Past, Accessing our Future campaign. We recognize that your commitment to the campaign is between you and God. And we are providing the following as guidelines.

We are asking that each household prayerfully consider making a commitment ot one of the following goals:

1. Five percent (5%) of annual gross income each year for the three years of the campaign.
2. For those with limited incomes, we ask that you prayerfully consider committing five percent (5%) of your household assets in either a lump-sum gift or spread over the three years of the campaign.
3. For those who have assets other than gross income, we ask that you prayerfully consider a gift given in one lump sum or spread over the three years of the campaign amounting to five percent (5%) of available assets.

Please remember that these commitments are in addition to what you are already giving to the current Salem Lutheran Church operating budget.

Q: How much do we want to raise in this campaign?

A: The Campaign Steering Committee has set a goal of $800,000 for the campaign. Bill Cordaro of The Church Development Foundation who has been assisting us with the campaign helped us in determining this goal. Bill reminded us that to raise $800,000 in a church this size will mean every household will need to spend time in prayer and will need to make a sacrifice in order to realize this goal. The Steering Committee believes the good people of Salem, when we work together, can do it.

Q: Is this a bad time to be raising money for renovations when our pastor will be leaving in July and an interim pastor will be here?

A: This is an important question. The church council spent a lot of time discussing whether this would be a good time and determined it is in the best interest of Salem for us to move forward with our plans now, partly because there is a lot of energy behind the renovations now.

The Long Range Planning Team has done an excellent job of gathering the information and sharing it with the congregation. Secondly, by stepping out in faith, we are exhibiting that we are a congregation that takes seriously the lay people's role as owners of this church.

We believe, with the lay people taking a strong leadership role in this effort, we will sttract a pastor who wants to work with a lay-lead community and attract a pastor who respects our role as lay leaders in the church.