Watch your step!

You know the old saying, "It's always darkest just before the dawn?" Under the circumstances, we might edit it a bit to say, "It's always messiest just before it's finished!"

Yes, our parking lot has been even more reduced by the construction activity this week. Large sections of asphalt have been removed to make way for the new concrete islands which will direct traffic flow in the finished parking lot. As I write this Thursday, August 13, the workers are busy laying new rock and building forms for the curbing on the first four islands. According to the foreman, they hope to have at least the curbing poured by the end of this week. This is a necessary step in the process of expanding our parking.

That's right. The finished parking lot will be larger, but it will also feature a completely different traffic pattern and layout of parking spaces, so you will need to pay attention to the markings and curbing and be aware your favorite parking space may not be there anymore. In the meantime, for this Sunday at least, parking will be even more limited. Please, please, please park at Wal-Mart this Sunday if you are able and take the shuttle bus to church. If you park in our parking lot this Sunday, please, please, please be careful and watch out for the safety fencing which marks the construction spots for the new islands.

The good news is we should have a completely finished, expanded, newly repaved and striped parking lot by Homecoming, which is scheduled for September 20! Mark your calendars to come celebrate fall with us as we enjoy a cookout together after services. More information on Homecoming will be coming soon, so watch for future postings and newsletter articles in The Heartbeat, available online at www.aldersgatechurch.com.