A New Home for Vision

Dear Fellow Visionaries,   Over the past seven years, whenever someone would ask me how Vision was going, I would always respond, “Great, but we’re still looking for a new place to worship.”  It seems I have been chanting that refrain forever. We have investigated many possibilities, rejected by some locations, and had a few disappointments along the way. Now, at long last, it appears we are heading to a new home.    In January, the leaders of the Amity Presbyterian Church in Warwick reached out to us about renting their building.  Vision’s leadership was very excited about this possibility, and we visited the site several times. Pam and I spent a lot of time there, and I spent a morning praying in the sanctuary.  I really believe this is the place where God is calling us, and Vision’s leadership agrees.   In the weeks since then, the Amity congregation has decided to dissolve after more than two hundred years in Warwick.  Later this month, the Hudson River Presbytery of the PCUSA will take over ownership of the property.  At that point, our church will begin negotiating the final details of renting the church property.  We are hoping, God willing, to be able to begin worshipping there before the summer.  We will communicate the exact details as they become available.   The Amity property (located at the intersection of Newport Bridge and Amity Roads) would empower us to be a church with ministries every day of the week.  In addition to the beautiful sanctuary (which is currently set up for a traditional worship style), there is a schoolhouse we would use for offices and a nursery on Sundays, and a house that we would use for VisionKids and our youth group. For many of you, this will be the church where you raise your children.  Picture in your mind this vision and the remarkable opportunity God is giving us.   In the meantime, we need all of you to do the following:   Pray for the congregation of Amity Presbyterian Church as they go through the painful process of closing their doors.  These wonderfully faithful Christian people are being very generous and accommodating to Vision. The good news is that many of you have been very committed to serving and giving to Vision.  In 2008, giving to our church was up almost 50% over 2007, for which we are grateful. However, as we grow, our expenses grow as well. At this time, Vision is not meeting our current budget. If we cannot close this gap in giving, not only will we be unable to make the move to Amity, the future of Vision will be in doubt as well. This Sunday, we announced the “Vision Stimulus Package”with the goal of raising $50,000 to close our current budget gap through the end of the year.  If each of our 50 families gave a one-time gift of $1000, we would meet this goal.  We ask that you prayerfully consider giving to this fund.  From this past Sunday's offering alone, we are more than a third of the way to our goal.  If you are someone who does not regularly attend Vision, but supports our mission, we ask that you pray for us and consider making a gift to our ministry.  Gifts can be sent to: Vision Community Church. PO Box 1122, Warwick, NY 10990. We need everyone to be more committed to attendance and to giving.  In addition, we need giving to be consistent.  Fill out a pledge card and make up for the weeks you cannot make it to Vision. In the fall, we explored God’s call for all of us to practice stewardship and tithing.  We have added some new tools to make your giving more convenient, including automatic debit of your gift to Vision.  For more information about this or any aspect of Vision’s finances, please contact our Finance Team.  I know how much Vision means to all of you.  God has been good to us for the past seven years and is now calling us to take the next step.  Many of you have told me that if it weren’t for Vision, you would not be in any church.   This is the time for you to decide to make Vision your church and ensure that we will be here to make disciples of Jesus Christ and continue God’s mission in the world.   This is the open door and moment for which our church has been waiting.   We must all have the commitment and courage to step through it.    May the Peace of God be with you, Don Heatley     Pastor - Vision Community Church

Comments

[Gavin Richardson]

big ups' on finding a new home. i know its been quite a journey. look forward to how you live into the new space it looks like fun.