KITCHEN REMODEL UPDATE:
the wait is over!
I’ve always thought of Lenexa United Methodist Church as the little church, or engine, that could. We are not a megachurch flush with cash, but we are rich with people who care about our church and each other. We have always found a way to reach our goals, like the Education Building. Our congregation has a can-do spirit. We haven’t been around 150 years because of complacency.
In the beginning the thoughts of a kitchen remodel project started off very slowly.
“Chug, chug, chug. Puff, puff, puff. Ding-dong, ding-dong.”
There were numerous meetings and discussions. In October of 2019, the congregation voted to begin the kitchen remodel project. During the same meeting, we submitted individual non-binding pledges.
The kitchen committee met with several prospective contractors and subcontractors. There were more meetings and discussions. We met with an architect for the kitchen design and layout, and with appliance and cabinetry companies. We slogged through numerous City of Lenexa code requirements.
All we wanted in our new kitchen was to correct the outdated plumbing and upgrade the electrical panel, an efficient kitchen layout, coffee bar niche, commercial style stove with 6 burners and a griddle, 2 ovens, powerful exhaust fan, stand up freezer, ice machine, quick cycle dishwasher, 3-compartment sink and a prep sink, hot water heater, floor to ceiling pantry, large center island, a large and small pass thru window, newly painted walls and ceilings, updated lighting, and tiled kitchen floor.
COVID-19 put our project in limbo. And then the pipe burst in the small upstairs bathroom delaying our project once again.
“I am so tired.” I must rest. “I cannot. I cannot. I cannot.”
We’re just a little church, but it’s a big remodel project. We have never had to overcome so many delays and setbacks. Then the little church said, “I think we can. I think we can. I think we can.”
The little church started to gain steam and tugged and pulled and tugged and pulled and slowly, slowly, slowly, the long-awaited project began.
“Puff, puff, chug, chug. I think we can---I think we can—I think we can—I think we can—I think we can—"
Faster and faster and faster and faster we went, until we puffed and chugged past the last delay and setback. Finally, we crossed the finish line.
“Hooray, hooray!” Cried the congregation as we moved into the new kitchen space.
“I thought we could. I thought we could. I thought we could. I thought we could.”
And I knew we could.
Thank you, Lenexa United Methodist Congregation!
–Wendy Clay
(Credit to Watty Piper, The Little Engine That Could)
