La Plata United Methodist Church

“Grateful to the Past —Building for Future Generations”

2013 Feasibility Study & Readiness AssessmentAre We Ready?

To Expand our Ministry, our Facilities and

our Influence

Our VisionFor La Plata United Methodist Church

to be a beacon of service, love and learning for the community, the

county and beyond in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

“Grateful to the Past — Building for Future Generations”

Our DreamTo expand our facilities so that we may provide sacred space in which to house

our ministries, to be available to the community, and to serve the needs of

our neighbors.

“Grateful to the Past — Building for Future Generations”

Our MethodologyFollowing the pattern of the Discipleship

Adventure, we will worship whole-heartedly;

fellowship lovingly, and continually include new friends; learn and grow as modern-day disciples of Jesus; use our gifts, talents and abilities to serve the people around us; and share the joy and triumph of having faith in Jesus

Christ.“Grateful to the Past — Building for Future Generations”

1892 1900 1922 1947 1950 1958 1966 1974 1985 1995 2000 2008 2012 Year

25 70 134 350 640 820 929 965 950 957 1091 Members

“Grateful to the Past — Building for Future Generations”Our History

Worship — Sundays: 8:30 & 11:00 AMWednesdays: 6:45 PMSummer Sundays: 8 & 10 AMSpecial Seasonal Services:

Three Christmas Eve ServicesEcumenical Good Friday PilgrimageEaster Sunrise ServiceAnnual Hymn Sing & Song FestEcumenical Appreciation Day ServiceWatch Night Service

Prayer Vigils

“Grateful to the Past — Building for Future Generations”

Fellowship —Birthday Party for EveryoneAnnual Talent ShowLenten DinnersSummer Fellowship HoursBlue Crabs Baseball GamesSoftball and Kickball GamesCharity Days at Hawthorne Country ClubChurch Picnic

“Grateful to the Past — Building for Future Generations”

Pastor’s Monday Night Studies The DiVinity Code

Christian Decision MakingFruit of the SpiritMaking Good Marriages

BetterAdvent StudiesChristian ParentingRevelationThe Four Gospel WritersHistory of La Plata

Methodist Churches

PrayerWorld ReligionsProtestant DenominationsWhat Happens When We

Die

Discipleship —Blessed Lambs PreschoolSunday School for All AgesThe Alpha Course

Daytime & EveningAndrew’s CircleFinancial Peace UniversityWednesday Morning Bible StudyUnited Methodist Women’s

Book ClubDISCIPLE Bible Studies

I, II, III and IVWalk Thru the Bible

Old TestamentNew Testament

Missions and Service —Food Pantry & Safe NightsCongregational Care Ministry TeamPrayer ChainVolunteers in Mission Work TripsChange the World DayRebuilding in NanjemoySupporting LifeStyles of MarylandSupport Children’s Aid SocietyGlobal Missions Partnering with Miguel Mariena,

our missionary in NicaraguaPaying our Apportionments in full every yearSchool Supplies DriveS.H.A.R.E. Food DistributionsChurch World Service Blanket TreeMission 100 SupportFinancial Support for local residentsGirl Scouts, Cub Scouts & Boy ScoutsAlcoholics Anonymous & Recovery Groups

Witness & Sharing our Faith —The Great Pumpkin PatchPresence on the World Wide WebInviting our FRANs

Friends, Relatives, Associates & NeighborsHealing ServicesCounty Fair Food BoothNewspaper AdvertisingChristmas & Easter FlyersBuilding our Reputation in the Community

“Grateful to the Past — Building for Future Generations”

Getting Us to This Point• What to do with the historic bell from Bethel Church?

• Bell Tower Committee Established (2009)• Presentation to Admin. Council estimating $100,000 for

tower• Request by Council to consider church’s future, to do a

Master Plan• Building Committee established (2010)• Dreaming – Congregational Focus Groups (January 2011)• Architectural drawings developed (2012)• Readiness Assessment and Feasibility

Study (Jan-Feb. 2013)

“Grateful to the Past — Building for Future Generations”

The Benefits of Building• Expand our Sunday School spaces to meet our present and

future needs. We are presently out of rooms!• Expand our Pre-School. They have a waiting list.• Expand small group bible study programs.• Increase total number of parking spaces, all would be

paved! No more gravel lot.• New Fellowship Hall more than doubles present hall, and

will allow over 250 people for sit-down dinners, wakes and receptions.

• New Fellowship Hall can create new revenue streams by hosting more community events like theater plays, speaking engagements, youth sports events.

“Grateful to the Past — Building for Future Generations”

• New Fellowship Hall at parking lot level, allowing for full handicapped accessibility

• Food Pantry will be larger, more easily accessible and manageable, allowing clients to line up inside, instead of out in the elements.

• Initially, Blessed Lambs Preschool will have seven classrooms, an increase by two, plus there is room for two more classrooms on the lower level.

• Dedicated Youth Room - where their space will not be invaded by community groups and other activities.

• Dedicated Music Room, for the Cherub Choir, for smaller subsets of preschool children and for piano lessons.

More Benefits

“Grateful to the Past — Building for Future Generations”

• New Church Office suite with reception area near elevator, a pastor’s study, conference room, and staff offices.

• Larger, nicer parlor, still the Wilbur Hancock Memorial Parlor but upstairs across from church offices.

• Additional storage in lots of areas of the new space.• New Chapel that can actually be used, seating about 100.

Can be used for small private weddings, funerals, and will be Rev. Jones’ primary classroom for his Pastor’s Monday Night Studies.

• The New Chapel will also be at parking lot level allowing for direct access without steps.

• The Heating and Cooling will be an economical “Geo-Thermal” System.

• Visit the church website and review your dream list…

More Benefits

“Grateful to the Past — Building for Future Generations”

An OpportunityTo expand our ministries,

To grow our church family,To better serve our community,To fulfill our calling from God.