Here is another installment in this series of Vestry Corner emails aimed at keeping you informed and up-to-date about important activities taking place "behind the scenes" and at our monthly meetings.

We are pleased to report wonderful progress on the final drawings, and the construction contract. We are waiting for Fairfax County review and approval for our building permit. At this point, we anticipate a November/December groundbreaking for the site work. Based on current plans and schedules, the Ministry Center will be completed by the end of 2018. We wish to thank Bill Longhi and Bob Picardi for their incredible hard work and dedication to this project for almost ten years. In addition, the involvement of Charles Graybeal, Denis McMullan, and John Pacitti, who all have building and construction expertise, has helped move the process along and their input has been very valuable. We are also pleased with our architects (MTFA) and our contractor (Whitener & Jackson).

The Finance Committee and leadership team of Charles Graybeal and Phil Tromans are developing the finance package to be presented to numerous banks. We are looking for a bank partner to help Holy Comforter to achieve its vision for the new building. Currently, we have nearly $2 million in deposits for the Building Fund at various banks, with remaining building pledges totaling $500,000. Our anticipated loan will take the form of a construction line of credit that will ultimately convert to a mortgage after building completion. We will likely close on our loan in the first quarter of 2018 and will begin drawing on the line of credit in the May/June timeframe.

Year-to-Date-Financials - Results through August, 2017

The results show a positive trend for our net cash collections due largely to lower expenses. For our continued long-term success, we are looking to grow and expand our congregation and overall collections. The Finance Committee meets monthly and we encourage your active participation and involvement.

Under the leadership of Cassandra Bosco and Kip Brailey, we are excited for the energy and enthusiasm for the 2018 campaign. Pledge cards for 2018 will be mailed out shortly as well as communications regarding our Stewardship Campaign. There are exciting times ahead for our church community and we hope you’ll be able to generously support those efforts.

The Discernment Committee is making great progress in the search for our new rector and expects to recommend a candidate to the Vestry in November. As you see the members of the committee, please extend your thanks for their hard work!

Please welcome our new Interim Assistant Rector Rev. Cara Rockhill, our new Facilities Manager Tom Gadell, and our new Director of Children’s Ministries Lauren Breeden. We are excited to be at full staff as we enter a wonderful fall season with new opportunities and new chapters ahead.

As always, if you have any questions or would like additional information, please feel free to contact any member of the Vestry. Our names are listed in the weekly service bulletin or on the Holy Comforter website HERE.

Faithfully,

Your Vestry