Archive for August, 2009

It has been a busy week of renovations and many people have worked very hard to meet inspection deadlines so the work can continue without delay.  Here are this week’s highlights from Kay Stewart:

• Successful wiring work day on Saturday resulted in rough wiring getting passed this week.
• The exterior red paint is disappearing.
• Building inspector gave us the go ahead to insulate and drywall interior walls.
• Roofers prepared the roof for the HVAC unit to be installed.
• Main stage and sound stage built.
• Plumbing contractor working in utility and children’s rooms.
• Nursery, stage and sound stage measured for carpet.
• Wonderful work session with 17 volunteers was held Thursday evening.  Almost all the insulation was installed and a great start was made to the drywall!

Other Notes:

• Architect to clarify some revision issues with the city.  Pray that this will not slow our process down.  There is an issue with three revisions that were made.
• Drywall taping to start Monday.
• Kay learned what a “woofer” is.

Next Work Day:  Saturday 8 – 4 - please bring a lunch!  We need a crew to do wiring (2 to help Mike and others to do wiring for the sound); a large, strong crew to install drywall; and a couple of ladies to bring muffins.

Painting Crews are needed at the first of September – exact day to be determined.

RENOVATING CHURCH A FAMILY AFFAIR

Renovating their new church home on Main Street is a family affair for members of Community Bible Church.

Almost everyone is pitching in to clean, garden, put up drywall and install rough wiring.  Husbands and wives and sons and daughters all have a role.

Community Bible Church bought the building at 1600 Main Street at the end of March and secured a city permit to renovate the premises on July 23.  Immediately, crews of volunteers moved in to put up steel studs to mark out the planned sanctuary, kitchen, prayer room and classrooms.

The aim remains to complete the renovations and dedicate the renovated church by late September or early October.  The church now meets at A. Y. Jackson High School in Kanata.  People interested in learning about the congregation can check the church’s web site at www.cbcstittsville.com.

The crews of volunteers and sub-contractors are being directed by a husband-and-wife team from the congregation, Gordon and Kay Stewart.  Gordon is a retired builder with many years of experience supervising building projects.

Jim Lewandowsky and his wife Caroline are typical of the volunteers – Jim helping with the rough wiring and Caroline spending hours in the church garden on summer evenings and weekends.

“I know it’s work,” said Jim of the rough wiring he is doing, “but it doesn’t feel like work.  Everyone is so easy-going and relaxed.”

“I love the garden,” said Caroline.  “I have connected with a lot of passers-by – people asking questions and making nice comments.”

It’s the camaraderie that volunteers enjoy most.

“I want to spend time with Jim,” said Caroline.

And Mark Egilo, who brought along his son Jonathan on a recent Saturday, said he has got to know other church members much better by working with them.

“It’s a great way to get to know people in the church,” he said.  “It’s relationship-building.”  For Mark, it is also satisfying to see the tangible results of his work – like Jim he was doing rough wiring.  “You are leaving a legacy,” he said.  “You can see the benefits of your work.”

Jonathan Egilo is enjoying the work, too.  His father bought him a new pair of work boots and he is learning as he is working.  “It’s good to help in the community,” Jonathan said.  “I kind of like construction work.”

Derek & Jay sand the exterior

On a recent Saturday, six volunteers turned out to do electrical work, another six for drywalling, two for gardening, and one for cleaning washrooms.  Five baked muffins to feed the workers.  Derek Peasley and his son Jason were busy sanding the exterior siding in preparation for painting.

“It has been a wonderful experience to watch the volunteers arriving for each work session, and always just the right number that is needed,” said Kay Stewart.  “It is exciting to see a former hardware store being transformed into a house of worship.”

Making sure we are "wired"!

Next workday is postponed for one week and is now scheduled for SATURDAY, AUGUST 22nd to insulate and raise the rest of the drywall.  The electrical crew needs a few more hours to complete their work for the rough wiring inspection.  They have been working hard, but it is a HUGE job.

 Each week brings with it a tremendous amount of progress.  It is so encouraging to see how God is putting each detail into place, including all helpful hands and willing hearts to be a part of His plan for CBC.  Our last workday held Saturday, August 8th had 20 volunteers involved with wiring, drywalling, weeding, cleaning of bathrooms, sanding prep of exterior siding, and the donation of muffins.

Andrea and Caroline, keeping our garden beautiful!

This week has been no exception!  Many other little things are going on, but here are a few of the week’s highlights:

• Steel studs are all up and drywall completed on one side.
• Rough plumbing is finished and passed by the plumbing inspector.
• Two used, identical double stainless sinks and faucets have been donated for the kitchen.
• Taping, filling and sanding of drywall contract has been given out.
• Insulation has arrived.
• Interior doors have been ordered.
• Architect made a site visit and will get the mechanical engineer to make a couple of changes.
• Building inspector made an initial visit and found all is going well.
• Sheet metal crew has main auditorium ductwork nearly completed and oldest furnace has been removed for demolition.
  

  Neil, Steve and Dale: working while Gary supervises!

• Sound and light team was in to plan their part.
• Nursery team was in to plan their room.
• The stage was measured for curtains.
• The budget has been brought up to date and we are on track.

Each week brings more progress to our renovation… in large part by our great team of volunteers.  We continue to be thankful for such a wonderful group who give of their time and abilities in large and small ways.  As we build this church physically we are constantly reminded that we are also building this church in less tangible ways:  friendship, teamwork, good works and spiritual growth.  May we all use this opportunity to encourage each other and let our light shine at 1600 Main Street!

Front of Sanctuary (stage), Prayer Room, Kitchen

The highlights for this past week include:

• A small mechanical problem has been solved so the remaining steel studs can go up
• Work crews were here Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings to do wiring, install drywall, and weed the front garden
• A 12′ ladder has been donated
• The plumbing contract has been given to Jim Mills Plumbing using a hot water tank versus on-demand heater because of the great difference in cost
• Prices continue to come in for dryall taping, filling & sanding

THIS SATURDAY (Aug. 8) we would like several people to help with wiring and install more drywall, a few dozen muffins donated to help fuel the work crews, and someone to clean the four washrooms.  The church will be open by 8 AM for work to begin.  If possible, please let Kay know if you are able to help.

Back of Sanctuary

As soon as the rough wiring has been inspected and passed, we can use MANY helpers to raise the remaining drywall.  We have several skilled people but could use other strong men to help lift the sheets of drywall.

We are anticipating needing many hands for painting and cleaning during the last two weeks of August and early September – please keep this time frame in mind.