There she goes!

Yes, indeed, our parking lot is now about half what it once was. In the continuing construction process, another large chunk of asphalt has been removed today to make way for further development of our new Worship Center.

What does this mean for us?

First, we have no sidewalk or walkway between the Christian Life Center and the Aldersgate House. All Sunday School classes or groups meeting in Aldersgate House will need to exercise a great deal of caution in making their way across the grassy slope to the building. Flintco has assured us pouring new sidewalks to restore easy access is a top priority, but cannot take place until certain other steps are completed.

Second, our available parking for Sunday worship services is now roughly half what it was before construction began. The paved area now ends at a line roughly parallel to the entrance to the CLC. All points south of that line are bare dirt. Several families have already made the switch to parking at Wal-Mart and taking the shuttle bus to services and we would encourage as many more as possible to follow in their steps. (Parking at the back of our lot in the dirt area is no longer advisable as it is part of the construction zone.) In the spirit of radical hospitality, let's leave the remaining parking spots for our guests, the elderly, families with small children and any others who would have difficulty riding the shuttle bus.

In addition, you may have noticed the developing crater in our one remaining driveway. This is due to the heavy equipment which must use that entrance. Ray, our Flintco construction foreman, has assured us the damage will not only be repaired, but the driveway actually improved with a deeper, more solid rock base before being repaved. But, again, the repairs must wait until the traffic causing the damage has ceased. With this in mind, please be careful when entering or exiting our property. The crater is in the middle lane of the driveway (the lane used by vehicles who are exiting our property and turning left) and may cause traffic to move slower on Sunday mornings, so your vehicular courtesy will be much appreciated by all.

In light of this stage of our current progress, PLEASE remember to exercise caution at all times when you are on any part of the property! We are smack in the middle of an active construction zone. Also, please continue to exercise patience in the midst of our temporary inconveniences. It may get worse before it gets better, but it will all be worth it and more when we worship together in our new building this winter!

Let's keep praying and consider how we can show radical hospitality to the work crews as well. We've already received comments that we are the most pleasant group to work for, so let's build on that good foundation and love any of these guys who don't know Jesus right into the kingdom!

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend!