Makemie Roots & Wings Campaign Report

(Remarks of John Morison)

This project has been on the radar screen of the Presbytery for several years and has been the subject of Presbytery action several times.

After two years, we have completed the “planning and organizing” phases of the project and we believe we have a clear vision for what is needed and possible. The time has come to take the vision to the local churches of this Presbytery. The next few months will be directed to building an awareness of the vision of the Makemie Roots & Wings campaign. Every church has been asked to designate a point of contact for the campaign. We have held several orientation sessions for these local church Makemie Project ministers. So far, just over half of the churches of the Presbytery have received orientation and received support materials (brochures and video). As we transition now to the “education and cultivation” phase and then into the fundraising phase, we are reconstituting the steering committee that will lead the campaign for the next two years. Let me identify those who have agreed to serve with us in the coming months. A virtual “Who’s Who” list of Presbytery leaders from churches throughout the Presbytery and they share a common interest in the vision of this project:

· Sylvia Maume

· Eugene Johnson

· Fred Martin

· Harold McKethan

· Alan Witt

· Dwight Cristenberry

· Sel Harris

· Feild Russell

· David Ferraro

· Bob McCracken

· Margaret Brewer

· Jean Knapp

· John Ellis

· Floyd Gilbert

Others will be recruited in the coming weeks.

We have re-evaluated and updated construction costs and believe that to complete the entire project Pollie described will require $ 6.3 million. We know that the project can be phased, if necessary.

Some congregations are planning local capital campaigns and we have offered to make our fundraising counsel available to advise on how their needs can be met in conjunction with the Presbytery campaign.

There have been questions about the Stone House new church development portion of the project. The commitment is a tithe of the campaign, capped at $ 300,000. Probably every church in the Presbytery has benefited from the concept of new church development and this is the latest.

The hallmark of this campaign is that God has provided among us a great abundance and this is our opportunity to demonstrate our gratefulness for His love by creating a legacy that will make it possible to transform lives and spread the gospel for years to come.

Pollie and I look forward to working with you on the Makemie Roots & Wings campaign. What a wonderful legacy to the glory of God. Dr. Eason’s message today should inspire us all.

You should have a copy of the Roots & Wings campaign brochure in your packet as an example of the quality of materials that will be available to promote this campaign. The video helps to communicate the vision and is available to be shown for your Sessions and congregations to introduce the Roots & Wings campaign.

Pollie Morison:

Hello, I’m Pollie Morison, an Elder, Visiting Deacon and former Clerk of Session at King’s Grant Presbyterian Church. My husband, John, for the last two years has served as Chair of the Steering Committee focused on the planning and organization for the Makemie Roots & Wings campaign.

I have attended Elder and women’s retreats at Makemie Woods and both our grandchildren have attended summer camps. We know the needs.

I had been a casual observer of all the plans being made. When I was asked to co-chair with John the “Roots & Wings” campaign, I was first surprised, and then a bit apprehensive. A sign I saw once – I think in John’s office actually – sums up my apprehension: “I must hurry to catch up for I am their leader”. Fortunately, I then began to focus on one of the many promises of the Lord – that He will equip us for any task that is in His will. I am counting on at least two things – the Lord’s guidance and that the Makemie Woods project is securely in His will.

John and I gave prayerful consideration to the request of being co-chairs and came to feel that for him to be so involved up to now and our not seeing it through to completion might be seen as hypocritical. We hope you, representing the churches of this Presbytery agree with us, because without your support and involvement, there is no way this campaign can succeed.

The Makemie Roots & Wings campaign envisions our collective effort to construct a modern conference center, a new multi-purpose indoor activity building, a welcome center that will improve the security of the site, a maintenance building already constructed, improvements to the infra-structure of the site, and a commitment to the new church development at Stone House Presbyterian Church, previously approved by the Presbytery.

Please pray for the campaign and our prayer is that you will give this project your support.

REMEMBER: The two lasting gifts we can give our children – Roots & Wings. Thank you.