CUMC Blogpost March 28, 2020

Worship News. If you can reach this Blog, you can join us in Worship this Sunday, March 29, 2020. The You Tube link will be up by 10:00, and don’t forget to download a worship guide. You can watch it at your leisure anytime, but don’t you think it would be more satisfying to hold to a schedule and worship electronically with your church family at the same time? My wife picked some beautiful daffodils and forsythia branches yesterday, so we’ll have flowers. We have a small cross that we put before the TV.

Overview. Welcome to the March 28, 2020 CUMC Spring Garden Blogpost! The trusty drone made a flight on March 26 just before noon over the Spring Garden Campus, with the pilot staying outside the restricted zone. It reminded me of my Air Force days as an intel officer supervising flights along the border between South and North Korea. Still can’t say any more about that. But here’s the SITREP (Situation Report):

Outside Progress. Nothing has changed at the Spring Garden Campus since the STOP WORK order, except for the grass growing. Nature cannot be denied! I did notice a number of holes stretching along the road from the cul de sac and around the islands in the parking lot.

We were able to get a couple photos that included some of the holes awaiting their trees, and there’s a shot of the beginnings of the so-called Diamond Ring in front of the entrance.

SGC Overview March 26, 2020.  Some of the tree holes are in the yellow figures.

 

Outline of the Diamond Ring and Canopy at the Entrance March 26, 2020

 Inside Progress: The woodworkers of CUMC had been meeting in Rich Charette’s workshop and have produced the cross that will adorn the wall inside the Worship Center.

The Worship Center Cross in the making.

CUMC’s Care for the Workers. Even the builders are not working, we owe them our prayers for health for them and their families, AND that they can stay afloat economically while we’re hunkered down. Might I add that a prayer that they are able to return and not be reassigned to other projects. We do have a great team of specialists, I think you’d agree.

Looking Back. Last time I promised that the rest of the Blog will be devoted to looking at one particular phase of construction and tracking it from inception to the last known state. Well, this week, I promise to fulfil that promise.

This week I’ll concentrate on taking a look at the overall Spring Garden Campus. For the next weeks (praying it’s not necessary) we’ll look at the three sections of the building.

 

August – September, 2018 Looking from the start of the Cul de Sac toward the Worship Center (the trees)

 

 

 

Groundbreaking, September 23, 2018,
Less than two years ago.

November 13, 2018.  Looking East  Toward the Future Building
and the Water Retention Ponds.

The next images are from March 2019 until early Feb  2020.

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0011.JPG

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0079.JPG

March and April 2019

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0132.JPG

?????????????????????????

May and July Open House 2019

?????????????????????????

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0358.JPG

November and December 2019

And early February 2020

Coming Attractions. As I wrote last week, I will give you a coming attraction, but I can’t prophesy as to the date: The Funk and Gleim companies will return. The work will conclude. We’ll have a chance to have some sort of Sneak Peek. We’ll start and finish “The Move.” And one day, in God’s good time, we shall meet again as a church family, first at our present building, and soon after at the Spring Garden Campus.

Meanwhile, Keep holding one another close in spirit and communication. Pray that God will always keep us as the apple of His eye, and always give God thanks for our church family, and our individual families.

Keep checking the CUMC website and look in on the Blog.

Please continue to keep in prayer all who work at the Spring Garden Campus and give God the Glory!!

 

 

 

CUMC Blogpost March 21, 2020

Overview. Welcome to the March 21, 2020 CUMC Spring Garden Blogpost!

I can’t do much to ‘put lipstick on a pig’ as the old saying goes,

but we can give the most current information and take a few minutes to look at what happened this past week before work was stopped.

 

Headline News. Some of you may already know that the Spring Garden Campus is closed for the time being. Here’s the official announcement from the CUMC website as of March 20:

1. Effective Friday, March 20, the church offices will officially be closed. Church members with keys are asked not to enter the building until further notice as the custodial crew is sanitizing the entire building.
2. The construction at Spring Garden Campus has been suspended until Governor Wolf’s order stopping all non-essential businesses from operating has been lifted.
3. The abrupt stoppage has resulted in the Campus having 113 holes awaiting the trees, which were to be planted this weekend (tree planting has been postponed).  In order to protect CUMC legally, the entrance will be blocked for all vehicular traffic. Signage will be posted to discourage any trespassers.

Outside Progress: As of Wednesday, Mar 18, 2020 the Gleim crew was working on three projects: digging holes for the 113 trees; digging the footers for the entrance canopy and “Diamond Ring”; and preparing forms more cement pourings in the back of Spring Garden Campus (toward the woods). The Funk crew was laying out the entrance canopy, and stoneworkers were putting the final cap to the outside stonework around the building. I assume this was not done until all the Dryvit work was completed.

Jeff supervising tree holes on March 18, 2020.  A vacant tree hole.

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0479.JPG

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0462.JPG

            Digging Footers for Canopy   Entrance Canopy preparations March 18, 2020

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0472.JPG

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0465.JPG

Patio & Walkway behind North Gathering.   LLLC Playpad Preps, March 18 2020

        Finishing Stonework Outside Chapel March 18, 2020

Putting Rain Gutters on LLLC Canopy March 18, 2020

Inside Progress: The LLLC area was locked and I assume completed and ready for the Sneak Peek tours that were to happen Sunday. Sadly, I don’t have any imagery to share, but I’m assured that nearly everything is finished: painting, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, cabinetry, flooring. I believe that the final room numbers and other signage have yet to be put up.

Two Brians installing modesty wall in North Gathering Restroom March 18, 2020

The Worship Center drywall work is nearing completion, and I believe some priming painting has occurred in the Gathering and entrance areas. Did you know what drives Hispanic drywallers? Take a look below.

Drywall Work in the Worship Center on March 18, 2020

The Drywall Crew’s Boombox

HVAC work continued throughout the Entrance and Backstage areas. I understood that the kitchen hood was also to be installed before the end of the week.

Cabinetry went up in the Children’s area. All but the tops and some doors remained on Wednesday. I don’t know if they were installed before work stopped.

Cabinetry in Children’s area off West Gathering on March 18, 2020

A flock of pendant lights awaited a trip to (I presume) the Gathering ceiling. Their little heads were buried and only their legs stood up. They reminded me of ostriches.

Pendant Lamps for Gathering March 18, 2020

A pair of Mikes (You can throw a nerf ball and you’re certain to hit a Mike) worked on one of the office rooms.

Mike setting windowsill and Mike installing doorframe on March 18, 2020

CUMC’s Care for the Workers. This would have been the Sunbeams’ turn to do prayers, cards, and goodies, but the emergency health moratorium has put this program on hold. We’ll get back to the remaining groups as soon as it is feasible. Now, the prayers can continue, and I trust they will. The emphasis this time should be on health for them and their families and neighbors, AND for economic stability while they have no paycheck coming in. We owe them that.

Coming Attractions. I will give you a coming attraction, but I can’t prophesy as date: The Funk and Gleim companies will return. The work will conclude. We’ll have a chance to have some sort of Sneak Peek. And one day, in God’s good time, we shall meet again as a church family, first at our present building, and soon after at the Spring Garden Campus. 

And these two images will disappear!!

Meanwhile, I ask you to hold one another close in spirit and communication, to pray that God will always keep us as the apple of His eye, and to always give God thanks for our church family, and our individual families.

Keep checking the CUMC website and look in on the Blog.

Please continue to keep in prayer all who work at the Spring Garden Campus and give God the Glory!!

Special UPDATE CUMC BlogPost March 17, 2020 at 10:00 PM

BLOGPOST 17 MARCH, 2020  UPDATE AS OF 10:00 PM 17 MAR 2020

Dear Friends of Carlisle UMC,

The Leadership Council convened Monday night and issued some information regarding CUMC. IT unanimously approved the cessation of all CUMC SERVICES IN THE BUILDING UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.  IT ALSO APPROVED THE CESSATION OF ALL CUMC ACTIVITIES FOR TWO WEEKS, EXCEPT for the VIM Project of planting the 113 trees purchased by the congregation.

Also, I have it on good authority that USED GARDEN HOSES are no longer required, because the company delivering the trees has a better method. So, don’t gather old garden hoses for the Spring Garden Campus, at least not for tree planting.  We might want some later to keep the green spaces beautiful.

YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN CUMC IN ON-LINE WORSHIP AT 8:00 AM SUNDAY.  Follow the link provided:  It’s found on the front page of the CUMC website.

Join us for Sunday, March 22 WORSHIP EXPERIENCE at 8am. (link coming soon)

Become a subscriber to our YouTube channel and be notified when a new video is uploaded.

 

CUMC Blogpost March 14, 2020

Overview. Welcome to the March 14 (3.14, PI ∏ Day), 2020 CUMC Spring Garden Blogpost! The past two weeks and the next two will reveal dramatic and beautiful changes in our Spring Garden Campus. Outside, most of the construction equipment is gone. The Gleim crew is putting soil and grading the areas around the outside, particularly the West Wing. Inside, wallboard, HVAC, electrical, and plumbing changes are happening every day. Lots of work is being checked off!

The most noticeable inside change is that the LLLC area is nearly ready for occupancy. Flooring, final painting, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, doors, lights, receptacles and switches are installed, complete, and ready for our inspection and admiration at the March 22 Sneak Peek.

Please tell others about it. If you just Google “CUMC Spring Garden Campus” you’re right at the webpage! Let’s get our readership up to 125!

  Unobstructed view of the Entrance Cross, March 11, 2020

Outside Progress: The Funk crew began to lay out the ‘Diamond Ring’ in front of the entrance.

Laying out the Diamond Ring, March 11, 2020

Roofers continued to follow-up on finishing the sealing of the domed roofs at the entrances.

Working on LLLC domed roof, March 9, 2020

As mentioned above, the outside is being dressed with soil and grading.

Grading Outside West Wing, March 11, 2020

Inside Progress: Each day one can see the progress of the drywall team in the Worship Center, the stage, and both North and West Gathering. The carpet crew took over the North Wing and put down tile and carpet throughout the LLLC. In order to keep that area clean, it’s now off limits to casual, non-essential workers.

Laying carpet in LLLC-01                             Finished Carpet and Tile in LLLC Room

        Laying tile in LLLC, March 9, 2020

Laying Carpet Tiles in LLLC Entrance, March 9, 20

Nery Tiling the Restroom off the North Gathering

The painters finished with the LLLC and office areas. Major HVAC work was done this week, notably in the ceiling above the Gathering areas. The electricians continued to work lighting, receptacles, and other items that require wiring. In some cases, they must wait for the wallboard to be installed.

Mike working on HVAC Duct Near Usher’s Closet near the Enrance

Here’s a look at the Worship Center progress this week.  More drywall everywhere.

Looking at the Stage.  Looking Toward the Entrance.  Looking at the Right Side 

Notice the amount of natural light in the Worship Center.  It’s nearly ready for the first coat of paint.

CUMC Cares for the Workers.  Again, the Mindful Women finished their week of serving the SGC workers. Hot dogs and sauerkraut, Mac and Cheese, and finally barbeque for 60, along with fresh vegetables, salty and sweet snacks adorned the food trolley – at least for a couple hours. And, again, the workers continue to thank us for what we are doing. Now that the trolley has three vertical sides, I’m able to display the cards of gratitude that our groups have written. Next week the Sunbeam Choir takes over the prayers, snacks, and goodies.

Chow Time!!  Mel, Mike, Jim, John, and Dusty enjoy some barbeque.

Coming Attractions. The Sneak Peek and the CUMC VIM Team activity is just a week away! Please remember to mark down and sign up for the Sunday, March 22, 2020 Sneak Peek. You’ll be able to sign up online or via the office for a specific guided tour time, tour the entire campus, and write a message on the Worship Center floor. Signing up also gives the Hospitality Crew a good headcount for the goodies they’ll be serving.

And please remember your old garden hoses. 

If you have one, send an email to Cheryl Hale (bobandcherylhale@comcast.net), and bring the garden hose to the Spring Garden Campus on Sunday, March 22 or Monday, March 23.

The second CUMC VIM team will start work that Sunday planting and staking some of the 112 remaining trees. The team will continue its work through the end of the week both inside and outside the campus. Check the weekly bulletin or the website for details. And I believe there’s still time to join up for any part of that week.

The team leaders are still looking for volunteers for one or more days throughout the week. Check the weekly bulletin or the website for details. You bring the sweat equity; the expert guidance and supplies will be included.

Looking Back. Finally, here’s a glance at the SGC from December. Compare these photos with the ones of this week’s Blog!

The Entrance Dec 3, 2019         Preparing for cement on WC Floor Dec 26 2019

Please continue to keep in prayer all who work at the Spring Garden Campus and give God the Glory!!

 

 

 

 

 

CUMC Blogpost March 7, 2020

Overview. Welcome to the first CUMC Spring Garden Blogpost of March 2020! If we remain on track for construction, you might be looking at just three months of weekly Blogposts. This is my way of saying things are wrapping up.

Please tell others about it. If you just Google “CUMC Spring Garden Campus” you’re right at the webpage! Let’s get our readership up to 150!

General. Construction roared in like a lion as progress continued, albeit not very obvious on the outside. Inside, the drywall work and painting continued apace, as did electrical and other utility connections. So far, all things point to the completion of the Spring Garden Campus on schedule in May.

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0004.JPG

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0007.JPG

Spring Garden Campus on March 5 2020 from Southwest and Northwest

Outside Progress. The weather cooperated, allowing a number of ‘fine-tuning jobs’ to be completed outside. Nothing as dramatic as weeks past, but still very necessary to the weatherproofing the building. More sidewalks were poured and cured, but several concrete projects will not be started until the inside is nearly finished and the Gleim Team begins the parking lot. As Mike Arnold told me, he can’t have 50 people parking at the Giant and hauling their tools to the worksite.

Spring Garden Campus Looking South from the LLLC Roof on March 5 2020

Roofers finished the snow guard on the barrel vault and the sloping side roofs.

They also sealed the front of the barrel vault at the entrance and installed gutters on the other entrances with curved roofing around the LLLC, Adult, and Youth entrances.

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0032.JPG

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0013.JPG

All Roofs with Snow Guard Installed March 5, 2020

Michael installing Gutters on West Wing Adult Entrance.  The Youth Entrance roof was also done this day, March 5, 2020. 

The glass people finished sealing the cross, and the Dryvit folks completed applying that material to the entrance, and dismantles the scaffolding at the Entrance. I don’t believe you’ll see much construction equipment in front of the entrance from now on.

Dryvit workers finishing the entrance and dismantling the scaffolding, March 4-5, 2020. 

The finally uncluttered view of the Entrance Cross, March 5, 2020. 

Inside Progress.  Each day you could see the progress of the drywall team in the Worship Center, the stage, and both North and West Gathering. The cabinet folks finished the North Wing, I believe, and will turn their attention to the cabinets in the West Wing and other areas.

Left Side of Worship Center Drywall      Right Side of Worship Center Drywall.                                                     Ceiling work continuing on both sides.

Jake covering the joists in the ceiling.      HVAC Ductwork in the Gathering

The painters finished with the LLLC and office areas. Major HVAC work was done this week, notably in the ceiling above the Gathering areas. The electricians continued to work lighting, receptacles, and other items that require wiring. In some cases, they must wait for the wallboard to be installed.

Future Receptionist Office, March 6, 2020.  The Door Leads to the Parking Lot

And the plumbers began installing sinks in the cabinetry and connecting bathrooms in the North Wing.

Brian installing plumbing in LLLC Area on March 4, 2020

Next week, the flooring people will begin to cover the floors there. That will include baseboards and transition strips between types of floor coverings.

Flooring for the LLLC on March 6, 2020

This week and next, Mindful Women have agreed to provide prayers, cards, and goodies to the SGC.  They served crockpots of hot dogs and sauerkraut, and Mac ‘n Cheese, plus lots of other individual snack items this past week.  Before these workers have finished their work, they will positively know that CUMC is a caring, giving, and appreciative church family.  And the workers frequently tell me thanks for all this.  That thanks is shared by more than 24 groups in CUMC, from adult Sunday School classes to the Little Lights children, the Sunbeams and SPArKs  choirs.

The Food Trolley with take-away snacks.  The Mindful Women’s Thank You Note

Coming Attractions. Please remember to mark down and sign up for the Sunday, March 22, 2020 Sneak Peek. You’ll be able to sign up for a specific guided tour time, tour the entire campus, and write a message on the Worship Center floor. Signing up also gives the Hospitality Crew a good headcount for the goodies they’ll be serving.

Bonnie welcomes you to the Sneak Peek

Beginning that Sunday, the CUMC Spring VIM team will be on-site for the entire week through Friday, March 27. On Sunday, the team will begin planting and staking the trees (which have all been subscribed!!) around the property. Throughout the week, the team will be busy grading certain areas; moving playground equipment from the current church to Spring Garden; building a small bridge and a railing for the outside stairs; building a limestone altar for the amphitheater; building more benches to be placed in the amphitheater; and completing the final cleaning for the Little Lights Learning Center.

The team leaders are still looking for volunteers for one or more days throughout the week. Check the weekly bulletin or the website for details. You bring the sweat equity; the expert guidance and supplies will be included.

Old Garden Hoses. The VIM Spring Garden tree planting project needs old garden hoses to use in staking trees. If you have one, send an email to Cheryl Hale (bobandcherylhale@comcast.net), and bring the garden hose to the Spring Garden Campus on Sunday, March 22 or Monday, March 23.

Looking Back. Finally, here’s a glance at the SGC just a month ago in February. Compare these photos with the ones of this week’s Blog!

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0408.JPG

Please continue to keep in prayer all who work at the Spring Garden Campus and give God the Glory!!

Reprinted News…If you caught last week’s BLOG, this is just a repeat of some information.

The Published Schedule from the 17 Feb Leadership Council Minutes, all predicated on CUMC Gaining Occupancy of the Building by May 22.:

June 7 – Last service at current facility

June 8 – Beginning to move stuff to SGC

June 14 – Transitional Sunday – 10am – combined worship at Lamberton Middle School, 777 S Hanover Street

June 21 – Pastor Jim preaches at first service in the new church

June 28 – Church-wide retirement receptions for Pastor Jim throughout the morning with Pastor Mira preaching

July – Pastor Jake’s first services at CUMC

September 27 — Builders Recognition Sunday at the 11am service to honor the architects, engineers and contractors who combined their talents to plan and build our new church.

 

 

 

CUMC Blogpost February 29, 2020

Overview. Welcome to the CUMC Spring Garden Blogpost! Please tell others about it. If you just Google “CUMC Spring Garden Campus” you’re right at the webpage! Let’s get our readership up to 125!

The Spring Garden Campus is growing like Topsy! The exterior is just about complete, with the exterior coating of Dryvit, the Almond-colored Entrance Cross in place, and most of the sidewalks in the front of the building completed. Take away the construction equipment, add a touch of spring, and the SGC is almost ready for its glamor shot!

Inside, the changes are very noticeable almost daily. The LLLC and Office areas are being readied for final painting for the first week in March, and by the Ides of March the flooring people will have begun to work in that area as well. Wallboard now covers basically all the walls of the Worship Center. Nearly all of the structural steel in the ceiling will be covered in drywall to be painted a wood color, I believe.

What you can’t see very well is all the electrical, plumbing, and gas line activity. A good deal of HVAC work is taking place, which one can see until the drywall and ceiling folks cover it over.

Mike Arnold told me Friday that the Little Lights area should be completely finished by the time of the Sneak Peek, Sunday Mar 22, 2020. That should give us all a better idea of what the finished building will look like.

For your viewing pleasure, I’ve included some of the images we collected from Feb 24-29, 2020.

Putting Dryvit on front of North Gathering. 

              Making a roof adjustment.   Location of future Datestone.

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0446.JPG

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0432.JPG

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0429.JPG

The Finally Completed Cross.      Preparing the Sidewalk in Front of Litle Lights

Detail of the Snow Guard on the Barrel Vault and North Roof of the Worship Center

 

The Spring Garden Center on Feb 24, 2020

Inside Photos.  The following photos show some of the activities that happened within the walls this past week.  Drywall, Painting, Framing, etc.

Ethan preparing LLLC hallway for final coat.  The Drywall Crew Taking a Break

Drywall in the Worship Center: Right Side, Rear, and Left Side, looking forward.

Working on the Worship Center Ceiling.  Covering the Steel Beams.

                                  Some of the Finished Cabinetry in the Office Area, and Chuck and Chris, the Installers.

x

The Makeshift Drywall Cross Above the Fireplace.  Another Example of  How Much Some Workers Care For This Place. 

It would be a shame to just toss this out when the final surface is applied.

Coming Attractions. If you haven’t already done this, mark down Sunday, March 22, 2020 as the date for the next Sneak Peek. You’ll be able to write a message on the Worship Center floor and tour the entire campus.

Beginning Sunday March 1, 2020, you can sign up for the Sneak Peek and even for a specific tour time. They’d also hope you sign up so the Hospitality Crew can get a good headcount for the goodies they’ll be serving.

Beginning that day, the CUMC Spring VIM team will be on-site for the entire week through Friday, March 27. On Sunday, the 22^nd, The team will begin planting and staking the trees (which have all been subscribed!!) around the property. Throughout the week, the team will be busy grading certain areas; moving playground equipment from the current church to Spring Garden; building a small bridge and a railing for the outside stairs; building a limestone altar for the amphitheater; building more benches to be placed in the amphitheater; and completing the final cleaning for the Little Lights Learning Center.

The team leaders are looking for volunteers for one or more days throughout the week. Check the weekly bulletin or the website for details. You bring the sweat equity; the expert guidance and supplies will be included.

A Repeat of Last Week’s Published Schedule: On Feb 17, 2020, the Leadership Council issued the following schedule for the transition. Here’s the information from the recent Weekly Midweek Minute:

Latest Details of the Move to Spring Garden Campus – all predicated on CUMC Gaining Occupancy of the Building by May 22.

June 7 – Last service at current facility

June 8 – Beginning to move stuff to SGC

June 14 – Transitional Sunday – 10am – combined worship at Lamberton Middle School, 777 S Hanover Street

June 21 – Pastor Jim preaches at first service in the new church

June 28 – Church-wide retirement receptions for Pastor Jim throughout the morning with Pastor Mira preaching

July – Pastor Jake’s first services at CUMC

 

A Builders Recognition Sunday is being planned on September 27 at the 11am service to honor the architects, engineers and contractors who combined their talents to plan and build our new church.

 

Looking Back. Finally, here’s a glance at the SGC earlier this year. Compare these photos with the ones of this week’s Blog!

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0076.JPG

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0069.JPG

SGC Exterior on Jan 10, 2020

 

Jan 24, 2020, Looking From the Stage Toward the Entrance.  All Drywall Now.

Please continue to keep in prayer all who work at the Spring Garden Campus, and give God the Glory!!

You are invited to comment. 

 

CUMC Blogpost February 22, 2020

Overview. Welcome to the Blogpost! Please tell others about it. If you just Google “CUMC Spring Garden Campus” you’re right at the webpage! Let’s get our readership up to 50!

By the end of this week, some recognizable changes stood out. Outside, many of the sidewalks around the building were poured and cured; the roofers began to install snow guards and guttering on the Barrel Vault; The Dryvit boys worked on the North Gathering Exterior behind heavy plastic; and the white cross finally appeared at the entrance.

Inside, more and more of the Worship Center, Gathering, Chapel, and Kitchen were clothed in drywall; wiring, plumbing, and gas lines continued; the wooden framework for the steps to the stage was finished; the ceiling continued to be prepared; and the backstage began to take shape.

Outside Progress. On Monday Gleim Team began placing framework and putting stone and a reinforcing lattice for the sidewalks. By Friday, the concrete contractor had poured, smoothed and cured nearly all sidewalks around the building.

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0419.JPG

1.  Youth Entrance Feb 17
2.   Sidewalk from West Parking Lot to Entrance
3.   Sidewak to Adult and Outside Groups Area.

The Roofers began to install gutters all around, and snow guards on the North side of the Barrel Vault. There will be more work ahead on the entire Barrel Vault.

Snow Guard on thenorth side of the Barrel Vault Feb 17, 2020.

The Dryvit crew continued to work on the North Gathering exterior under heavy plastic for warmth and weather protection. Mike Landis shot the photos inside the plastic.

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0423.JPG

North Gathering exterior Feb 17.  Two views of Dryvit application Feb 21, 2020

This is what the entrance looked like on Monday.

Entrance as of Feb 17, 2020

Two days later, it looked like this. By Friday, February 21, the entrance really began to look like a church.

Feb 19, 2020.  The cross is nearly complete.  Feb 21, 2020.  Although it looks to be complete, the glazier is awaiting one small piece at the very top. One sharp-eyed editor spotted it. Can you?

Inside Progress. The most noticeable inside activity is putting up drywall in the Worship Center, the Gathering, Chapel and Kitchen. More of the rooms around the Gathering and the Worship Center have drywall and await finishing and painting prep. Here is a potpourri of this activity:

Drywall work in Worship Center.  Future Chapel Interior.  Feb 19, 2020

Drywall on WC Ceiling.  Closeup of Ceiling drywall.  Drywall over Entrance.      All on Feb 21, 2020

The HVAC crew installed ductwork in the backstage area.

Preparing and hanging ductwork for backstage Feb 19, 2020

The wooden framework for the steps to the stage was finished.

Nearly completed preparations for the Stage Steps Feb 19, 2020

This is a view of the Entrance Cross seen from the Gathering.

          Entrance Cross from inside looking outward.  You can see the missing tile at the top of the cross.  Feb 21, 2020

Imagine that view in late spring!

Miscellaneous. Mike Landis has been onsite nearly every day, consulting, working, and photographing. Here, he’s talking with a couple of Dryvit workers who came into the building Friday to have some Chili-Mac, courtesy of the Bridges Prayer Team, one of more than 25 groups of CUMC that have provided prayers, cards and goodies to the folks working at Spring Garden Campus.

Mike L and Dryvit Guys.             Snack Table 21 Feb, 2020

Again, we received many thank you’s from the construction workers for these food gifts. It makes me wonder how many people thanked Jesus when he fed bread and fish to the crowds in the wilderness.

As an aside, I met Sal, a drywall foreman who will be rotated off this project very soon. He told me that he spent 20 minutes reading the cards that our children sent to the campus. He wondered what the SGC would look like when it was finished. I invited him back anytime and gave him the blogsite information so he could continue to follow God’s building program.

Chris Gregory, our worship leader and members of his company, Spire AVL, met with Mike Arnold and Dusty Motter to discuss lighting.

Mike Arnold, Dusty Motter, Chris Gregory, and Seth Shoemaker of Spire AVL meet to discuss lighting in the Worship Center.

Coming Attractions.

Mark down Sunday, March 22, 2020 as the date for the next Sneak Peek. You’ll be able to write a message on the Worship Center floor and tour the entire campus.

The second CUMC VIM team will be on-site during the week of March 22-27. Their workplans are being finalized, and I’ll publish them in the Blog as soon as they are firmed.

The Leadership Council has issued the following schedule for the transition. Here’s the information from the Weekly Midweek Minute:

Latest Details of the Move to Spring Garden Campus – all predicated on CUMC Gaining Occupancy of the Building by May 22.
June 7 – Last service at current facility
June 8 – Beginning to move stuff to SGC
June 14 – Transitional Sunday – 10am – combined worship at Lamberton Middle   School, 777 S Hanover Street
June 21 – Pastor Jim preaches at first service in the new church
June 28 – Church-wide retirement receptions for Pastor Jim throughout the morning with Pastor Mira preaching
July – Pastor Jake’s first services at CUMC

A Builders Recognition Sunday is being planned on September 27 at the 11am service to honor the architects, engineers and contractors who combined their talents to plan and build our new church.

 Looking Back. Finally, here’s a glance at the SGC in early January 2020, just two months ago. Compare these photos with the ones of this week’s Blog!

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0076.JPG

In the Worship Center looking to the Stage, Jan 24, 2020.     SGC Jan 10, 2020

Please continue to keep in prayer all who work at the Spring Garden Campus and give God the Glory!!

 

 

 

 

 

CUMC Blogpost February 15, 2020

Overview. The work at the Spring Garden Campus continued steadily inside and outside this past week. You will note some outside changes but the most noticeable work in my opinion happened inside.

Outside Progress. Barrel Vault completed; Dryvit work continuing; Sidewalk preparations. This overview shows some of the week’s exterior progress.

Looking at the Spring Garden Campus Feb 12, 2020

As you can see, the Barrel Vault is now completely covered with the copper colored cladding. There is still some work remaining to seal it to the clerestory.  Dryvit is now covering the West Gathering, and a good part of the outside of Worship Center.

The Completed Barrel Vault Feb 12, 2020

Next week, the Gleim Team and the cement contractor will begin framing and pouring sidewalks and other items, weather permitting.

Footers for Adult entrance sidewalk to be poured next week, weather permitting.

The Entrance and the glass front for the almond-colored cross remain the same as last week. The glazier is awaiting the last piece of glass, and will install it and the cross material.

Inside Progress. Cross outline; speaker boxes; fireplace bench; café. Several subcontractors have been busy inside this past week with drywall, electrical, insulation, and HVAC work. Some of the changes are captured in the photos below:

The entrance doorframes from Gathering into Worship Center are now in place.

The Entrance to the Worship Center Feb 12 2020.

The Worship Center Cross, being built by our own CUMC woodworkers will be hung according to the faint outline on the back wall of the Stage.

Outline of the wooden Cross being built by CUMC Woodworkers

The Speaker boxes are taking shape on either side of the Worship Center.  They will be used for the future organ and all other audiovisual outputs.

The Left Right Speaker                 The Right Speaker Box

The Fireplace bench and box are completed, and awaiting the firebox and the finishing for the bench.

The Future Fireplace area

Joanne Monoski, our CUMC chef du Hospitality, is very pleased with the progress made in the café and kitchen areas.

The Café is taking shape.          Part of the future kitchen Feb 12, 2020

Signage. Mike Landis and Rick Washinger hung the 333 S. Spring Garden sign at the street entrance. Our real church sign will be up on the rise to the right as you approach the campus.

The new sign at the entrance to the Campus Drive.

Coming Attractions.

1. Mark down Sunday, March 22, 2020 as the date for the next Sneak Peek. You’ll be able to write a message on the Worship Center floor, and tour the entire campus.
2. The second CUMC VIM team will be on-site during the week of March 22-27. Their workplans are being finalized, and I’ll publish them in the Blog as soon as they are firmed.

Looking Back. Finally, here’s a glance at the SGC in mid-December, just two months earlier. Compare these photos with the one at the top of the Blog!

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0372.JPG

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0348.JPG

Dec 11, 2019  Looking at North Gathering  Entrance and Gathering Areas

Please continue to keep in prayer all who work at the Spring Garden Campus and give God the Glory!!

 

 

 

 

CUMC Blogpost February 8, 2020

Welcome to the first CUMC Building Committee Blogpost for Feb 2020. It’s almost time to put up a countdown calendar.

Overview. The roofers worked on the Barrel Vault. They were finally able to get their equipment in place to lift more sections and install them. About ten panels remain to put in place, because of the adverse weather toward the end of the week. I don’t imagine any of us would be willing to handle thirty six-foot panels atop a roof made slippery with rain and dangerous by high winds. Live to roof another day! The outline of the cross at the entrance is clearly discernable. And the fronts of the Gathering areas to the north and west began receiving their Dryvit coatings.

Inside, drywall went up in the Gathering and Worship Center areas, smoke and fire alarm installation continued. Cabinetry folks were busy installing cabinets in the North Wing (LLLC and Office). And I believe all the toilets, paper dispensers, and privacy panels and doors went up throughout most of the building. On Thursday, UGI hooked up the gas meter. Next, the Funk team will be completing the connection to entire building.

Outside Progress. This overview was taken on Feb 3. Not much change from last week, but by Friday, there was more copper-colored roofing on the Barrel Vault, and enough entrance glass was installed to be able to clearly identify the outline of the cross.

 

This was the Spring Garden Campus on Feb 3, 2020.

The glass crew began installing the Entrance glass on Feb 3, 2020.

Installing glass in Entrance on Feb 3, 2020

By Feb 5, 2020, this is what the Entrance with the Cross Outline better defined.

Beginning Feb 5, the roofers were back on the Barrel Vault adding more panels. Unlike most of the Barrel Vault, this section has nothing but ground immediately below it, so the work requires lift equipment to install the remaining panels. Again, I’m reminded to pray regularly for the safety of all workers on site.

                                   Lifting roof panels to Barrel Vault Feb 5, 2020 

You can get a better idea of how the roof panels connect by seeing the edges.

Closeup of roof panel edges.  Notice the way they overlap.

The West Gathering, to the right of the entrance now is finished in Dryvit. The crew has started on the North Gathering, to the left of the entrance.

West Gathering in Dryvit, Feb 5, 2020

Interior Progress. The Interiors team continues very busy with the many details necessary for a welcoming, safe, and attractive interior. Here’s a sample of the materials for the baseboards and the parts necessary to join the different types of flooring to each other.

Flooring Transition Samples: flooring to flooring type and flooring to baseboard.

As mentioned, the drywall workers are busy in the North Gathering area.

Jose, one of the drywall workers, gives the job a thumbs up

Someone also made this drywall heart.

Drywall Heart Art-01

And the Hill Woodworks Co is mounting cabinets in the North Wing.

               Cabinets in LLLC                Hill Co Employees installing Cabinets in LLLC

Plumbing fixtures, privacy panels, baby changing stations, and paper dispensers are appearing throughout the building.  Water is not yet inside the building.

From Upper Left:  Women’s Restroom in Adult Wing.  Children’s toilet in LLLC. 
                                                       Toilet in LLLC on Feb 5, 2020

Zach and Ben are forming the framework for the bench around the fireplace in the North Gathering.
Prepping the Curved Fireplace Bench on Feb 6, 2020

In the Worship Center, workers are completing the interior insulation inside the Barrel Vault. Next they can begin to finish the ceiling.

Installing Insulation in Barrel Vault above the Worship Center on Feb 6, 2020

Coming Attractions. Mike Arnold, the Funk Project Superintendent, said that the Gleim team will be back in the next week to start work on the sidewalks, curbs, and stoops. He also said that carpeting and other flooring are purchased and are being stored offsite. These early purchases have saved money. Flooring work should begin by the second week in March. The rest of the roofing panels for the Barrel Vault remain to be installed. The timing is dependent on the Dryvit progress on the North Gathering and final work on the Entrance glass. It’s a sequencing challenge to get the right equipment into that very small space in front of the Entrance.

Signage. Connie Leitner volunteered to lead the Signage Committee, which includes Sharon Edwards, Lisa Myers, and Pastor Mira Hewlett, with Jeff Barnes and Mike Landis as consultants. The committee is currently working with several companies, seeking proposals to complete its top priority projects:

• A prominent exterior sign to be erected near the cul de sac entrance (Dr. Tracy Sands is working exclusively on the main exterior sign), and
• Signage for the exterior areas/parking lot, and all the interior spaces.

Connie emphasized that the committee is seeking proposals that can deliver signage that is clear, impactful, exciting, and within budget. The committee is seeking two- and three-dimensional signs, as well as hanging signs for the large Gathering area. The signs will be color coordinated with the building exterior and will incorporate the CUMC swoosh (the LOGO that resembles the letter “C” with the four pillar colors).

Final Bits. Mike Landis has been on site almost every day, coordinating with Mike Arnold and documenting the progress.

Mike Landis busy at work.  Where’s he going with that lumber???

He has contributed a number of photos, including this one.  We’re on our way to adding another species to our own little open wildlife zoo.

Mallards on the Temporary Pond Behind the Maintenance Shed

Remember, you can check out the CUMC Facebook page for more photos.

Finally, here’s a glance at the SGC on October 23, just to help you gauge the progress.

Spring Garden Campus on Oct 23, 2019.  Notice how it’s changed in 100 days!

                                        Taken by Mike Landis around 6:30 PM Saturday, Feb 8, 2020.  That’s NOT a moon; it’s a street light.

Please keep in prayer all who work at the Spring Garden Campus and give God the Glory!!

CUMC Blogpost 31 January 2020

Two Pieces of Good News: We may have new neighbors! The South Middleton Twp. supervisors agreed to rezone the other part of the Smith Farm to accommodate a residence for about 300 apartments. Jonathan Bowser formerly head of the Carlisle Area Economic Development Corporation, and now a managing partner of Integrated Development Partners, plans to submit a project master plan and hopes to begin construction in a few (unspecified) months. (Source is Carlisle Sentinel.)

The second bit of good news is that a completion and occupancy date for the Spring Garden Campus is showing up on construction documents: Fri 22 May 2020. That depends on many factors, but it seems God is in complete control of all of them, so not to worry.

Overview.  If you drove over to the Spring Garden Campus this past week, and just glanced at the outside, you might have caught another copper-colored roof over another Little Lights Learning Center door on the North Wing, and perhaps some more glass work on the entrance. The Barrel Vault still lacks about ¼ of its cladding. It may give you the impression that not much is happening, and that might be correct for the exterior. But inside things are humming away.

Here’s what Spring Garden Campus looked like on Jan 28, 2020.

Spring Garden Campus Overview Looking East on Jan 28, 2020

I couldn’t help think about what Jesus said to Peter: “On this Rock, I’ll build my church.”  We have lots of little rocks.  Perhaps we’re to be little Peters for building this church.

Exterior Progress. Here are photos of the exterior work done this past week.

x

North Wing Entrance Coverings Jan 30, 2020

Here’s a closer look at the overhang. It’s not completely finished.  Jan 30, 2020

This is a look at the main entrance on Jan 30, 2020.   I’ve tried to outline the cross which will have a dark metal outline containing a simple almond colored cross that can be lit from inside.

Interior Progress.  In just the past five workdays, a great deal of metal framing  sprouted up on the walls, on the stage, and on the ceiling of the Worship Center. More ceilings and ceiling lights adorn the LLLC and the office areas in the North Wing and much of the West Wing.

The metal framing on both sides of the Worship Center.

This view is from the entrance looking through the Worship Center to the Stage. 

I expect over the next weeks the machines will return as the drywall and electrical teams finish the walls and ceiling.

And this is the Backstage (Stage on the right) as it is on Jan 31, 2020

Looking at the curtain wall between the Stage and Backstage areas Jan 31, 2020

Both side ramps to the stage are now enclosed in metal framework, ready for drywall and electric.

x

The ramp begins to rise about halfway up this picture Jan 30, 2020

The two organ chambers on either side of the stage are now framed out. Here’s the outline of one of them.

Left side Organ Chamber Jan 30, 2020

---

And they have also begun constructing the wood underlayment for the steps to the stage in preparation for putting down red oak.  Jan 30, 2020

Cabinet installation has begun in the North Wing CUMC Office area. It will continue in the West Wing over these next two weeks

x

Cabinetry in one of the CUMC office areas.  Note the countertop is not yet installed and the electrical outlets are not yet finished.

Other Interior Activities.  The bathroom paper supply fixtures are on-site and ready for installation. The Interiors Team continues to meet with a team from the CUMC adult choirs to how to arrange risers and chairs on the stage.  And in the past week ceiling lights and tiles have gone up nearly everywhere in the North and West Wings.

Final Bits.  Go over to the CUMC Facebook page for more photos. Access: I don’t have a Facebook account, but I found it by Googling Carlisle UMC Facebook.

Did you know that CUMC has its own specialty woodworkers who are creating items for our new building. I’ll get more on that team next week and something about their projects. One of those items is a new communion table made from woods from one of the former churches.  Here’s a recent photo of a work lovingly in progress.

x

There’s another team from the CUMC Adult Choirs working on a seating plan for the choirs during the services. More about that in a future Blog.

Connie Leitner has volunteered to begin the business of identifying signage for the new building. That includes every office, major and minor area, as well as directions to parts of the building, etc. This will really be important for everyone as we all will be new to the Spring Garden Campus.

Finally, kudos to the 24 or more groups who have donated snacks, written cards and offered prayers for the SGC workers since this ministry began in October 2018. Mike Arnold, the Funk On-site Project Superintendent, wants to make sure that you understand the continuing appreciation these workers have expressed for these kindnesses.

This photo was taken Tuesday, one day after these snacks were delivered. 

When I visited Thursday, the table was bare.