Update, September 2025 (annual report)
RESTORATION
- A contract was signed in January for the installation of protective coverings on the nativity and twin windows, as well as exterior trim painting at a cost of $23,750.
- Cumberland was on site six days during July and August. A fork lift was used for better access to the windows over the shrubbery. This completed Phase 3 of the project.
- A “Five Years in Five Minutes” slide presentation overviewing the project was presented during worship on August 31 and September 7.
FUND RAISING
- The $5,000 2024 Matching Gift Challenge kicked off in September. By the end of October, $4,367 was received. Another $1,000 was then donated to the challenge and by the end of November $6,150 was raised. Five successful annual challenges were held during the campaign, raising a total of $41,505.
- The Change for the Windows Jar continued to appear in the narthex and raised $66. The total change donated during the campaign was $1,473.
- A “wedding ring” quilt was donated and a sealed bid auction for the quilt was held in February. The required minimum bid was $375. Three bids were received, with the winning bid submitted by Dan and Kathy Latshaw. The total raised from the seven donated quilts was $3,283.
CONGRATULATIONS AND AMEN!
At long last – five long years to be exact – the restoration of the sanctuary windows is complete. All stained glass has been restored, all new protective coverings are in place, and all exterior trim has been repaired and painted. The total cost of the project was $198,000, with no debt incurred. We won’t know if the windows will survive another 100 years, but their beauty reminds us each week of our past, the present, and our hopes for the future. Your prayers, generosity, and support, as well as gifts in memory of those before us, made this possible. Thank you for trusting and supporting the committee along the way!
Update, September 2024 (annual report)
RESTORATION
- The restored nativity window was installed on November 14 at a cost of $44,975.
- The two twin nativity windows were removed for restoration on April 1.
- The restored nativity twin windows were installed May 22 at a cost of $17,990.
- Phase 3 (final) will be completed when sufficient funds are raised to add protective coverings on the nativity window and two twins, as well as external trim painting. The cost will be $23,750.
FUNDRAISING
- The $5,000 2023 Matching Gift Challenge continued during October and November. The challenge was met and surpassed with contributions of $6,146.
- The $5,000 2024 Matching Gift Challenge kicked off in September, raising $2,037 in the first five weeks.
- The Change for the Windows jar continued to appear in the narthex and raised $290.
WINDOWS DEDICATION SERVICE
A service of dedication was held in the sanctuary on Sunday, September 29 at 3 pm.
- Photos and an article updating the project and highlighting the dedication appeared in the East Penn Press on September 18.
- Invitations were sent to the Penn Northeast Conference, churches in the ministerium, and members, families and friends of the congregation.
- About 100 people attended the service, including area pastors and members of neighboring churches and the community.
- Guest speaker, Bryan Lerew, owner of Cumberland Stained Glass, explained the stained glass restoration process and provided interesting facts about our project.
- A slide presentation containing many photos provided an overview of the project.
- Booklets about the project and memorial dedications were given to all guests.
- Jessica Yothers, vocalist, and Jen Goudsward, pianist, provided special musical selections and organist, David Carlson accompanied the hymns.
- Technical support was provided by the Sound and Media Committee. The service was live streamed and available on Facebook and YouTube.
- A reception was held following the service in the lower social hall. Appetizers and desserts were provided by our members and the Worship & Music Committee assisted with the arrangements.
- Plaques indicating memorial donations have been installed below all the windows.
Thank you members and friends for your faithful support of the restoration of our beautiful stained glass windows. It is projected that the restoration will be completed in the spring of 2025.
Update, September 2023 (annual report)
RESTORATION
Phase 3 of the project began and will include restoration of the nativity window and side twin windows, the addition of new protective glass, and the repair and painting of the exterior trim. A contract was signed with Cumberland in November for restoration of the nativity window and a 25% deposit was made towards the cost of $44,975. Cumberland removed the window on May 31 and June 1. Replacement is expected in October 2023.
FUNDING
The nativity window glass restoration is fully funded. The remainder of the work in Phase 3 will cost $41,740. Member support and fund raising will see us to completion of the project.
FUND RAISING
- 2022 Matching Gift Challenge: The $3,000 challenge continued during October and November. When the challenge was met by mid-October, another member increased the challenge by adding another $1,000. By the end of November, the new goal of $4,000 was also met, raising $8,681 in just three months.
- Quilt Sales: The two remaining handmade quilts were offered for sale in October for $350 each or best offer. A member purchased one of them in December for full price, resulting in $2,258 raised for five quilts. A raffle is being held for the final quilt, with tickets priced at $5 or three for $10. Ticket sales began at the Vera Cruz Homecoming in August and will continue until the church bazaar and basket auction on November 11 when a winner will be chosen.
- Baked Potato Bar Lunch: Following worship on March 20, 40 members enjoyed a baked potato bar. The potatoes, fixings, desserts and beverages were donated by the committee and parents and mentors of the confirmands, resulting in a profit of $375. The confirmands participated by setting up the room, wrapping all the potatoes for baking, and making sure the many fixings were replenished.
- Change Jar: The change jar continued in the narthex every Sunday and has successfully raised a total $1,064 since it first appeared in 2020.
- 2023 Matching Gift Challenge: The fourth annual challenge kicked off September 10 with six donors combining funds to offer a $5,000 challenge. The challenge will continue through the end of November.
Thank you members and friends for your faithful support of the restoration of our beautiful stained glass windows.
Update, February 2023
Since the “Change for Windows” jar first appeared during the summer of 2020, you have faithfully donated your pennies, nickels, dimes and , uarters (and some bills too!) to the windows restoration project. Another $85 was recently hauled to the bank, bringing the total raised to $870. Keep up the good work. Every penny does count!
Update, December 2022
Congratulations, congregation! The third annual matching gift challenge was a success. THANKS to four supportive members, this year’s challenge was $4,000. THANKS to the generosity of the congregation an additional $4,186 was raised. The third and final phase of the windows restoration can now begin. A contract for restoration of the nativity window has been signed with Cumberland Glass and work will begin sometime in the spring. Take time to look over the poor condition of the nativity windows and then you will more fully appreciate their beauty after restoration!
The remaining two quilts are on display in the upper social hall. The asking price is $350 each or best offer. The holidays are coming and they would make great gifts for a special family member or friend. They will also be offered for sale during the bazaar and basket auction, so don’t wait and miss this wonderful opportunity. All proceeds go to the windows fund. See Pastor Lori, Beth Massa, or Ruth Stansfield.
Update, September 2022
As of September 11 we have kicked off our 2022 matching gift challenge campaign! We currently have match for up to $3,000. This is an exciting development! Ruth Stansfield game a an update on the Windows to the Future campaign in worship; you can view the presention on the YouTube video from that morning’s worship service.
Update, April 2022
With two phases of the windows restoration complete, a long-range plan is in place for the final phase of the project. Phase 3 includes the Nativity Window and two twin windows on the Fountain Road side of the sanctuary. Restoration of the Nativity Window stained glass will be the first priority. With $25,000 remaining in the fund, the 2022 goal is to raise another $20,000 to cover the $45,000 cost of this next step. Fund raising will continue, including the “change for the windows” jar being available every Sunday, the first quilt auction in April, and a third matching gift campaign in the fall. The quilt is hanging in the Upper Social Hall, so be sure to take a look and offer a bid for this beautiful piece of art. You don’t want to be left out! Other fund raising ideas are also being considered, including the best way to achieve the most benefit from the remaining five handmade quilts that were recently donated. The committee welcomes any ideas you might have to achieve our goals. See Pastor Lori, Beth Massa or Ruth Stansfield.
Update, October 2021
The $5,000 Matching Gift Challenge is well underway, and we are pleased to report that from September 1 to October 24 members have contributed $3,483. Five weeks remain to raise the $1,517 needed to meet the challenge. If you have been considering a donation, now is the time. We can do this!
Update, September 2021
On September 12, 2021, the Windows Renovation Committee provided an project update to the congregation during worship. You can view the information on YouTube. The basics: current status of the project, next windows to be renovated, and announcement of a new matching gift challenge in the amount of $5,000 to run now through November. As always, the committee is amazed by the onging generosity of the congregation in supporting this renovation project!
Update, June 2021
On June 13, 2021, the members of the Windows Renovation Committee provided a project update to the congregation during the worship service. You can read a summary of the presentation or view the presentation on YouTube.
Update, Summer 2020
Exciting news! Work has begun on the restoration of the twin stained glass windows flanking the organ. Cumberland Stained Glass of Mechanicsburg, PA was selected from five studios to perform the restoration. Cumberland has been in business since 1992 and owner Bryan Lerew has over 40 years experience in the industry.
Repairs to the windows have been made in-house over the years, the latest being in 2000. But since the windows are over 100 years old, Cumberland advised that continuing to make repairs is no longer feasible and is a waste of our resources. Instead, they recommend a complete restoration of the windows which includes:
REPAINTING OF THE MEDALLIONS which have deteriorated beyond repair. The medallions will be repainted and returned to the original beauty intended by the artist. This step began with the removal of the medallions and transport to the studio on September 14. Clear blue glass was temporarily inserted in the openings.
REMOVAL OF THE WINDOWS for transport to Cumberland’s studio where they will be dismantled, the glass will be hand-washed and reassembled with new lead came and then reinstalled into their respective openings. Painted glass that is badly broken will be replicated. The openings will be temporarily closed with 1/2” homasote.
INSTALLATION OF NEW PROTECTIVE COVERINGS which will be vented at the top and bottom of each window to prevent heat and moisture build-up and to preserve the stained glass.
EXISTING WOOD WINDOW FRAMES will be scraped, primed and painted.
Cumberland expects to remove the windows in the next few weeks and anticipates returning them by December.
Your continued financial support of the windows project throughout the summer has been outstanding and we are happy to report that the Change for the Windows jar brought in another $134.91. Kudos to all!
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