From Keith’s Desk

As of Wednesday morning, March 24, 2004, Carolina Beach Presbyterian Church can call the property at 903 Dow Road ours for the mission of the Church. A worship service was held in the sanctuary that evening to give all the thanks, praise and glory to God.

Our property experts agreed that our offer of $475,000 was, despite its enormity, a fair price for Pleasure Island property, and that the value of the land will only increase. If we didn't say yes to this opportunity now, someone else would, but fast, which would place the expansion of this growing church out of the realm of possibility.

In the financial realm of church stewardship, the term "giving units" refers to the number of individuals or families who can and do support the church by giving money. We have 125 "giving units" (the term doesn't exactly make you feel warm and fuzzy, but it's extremely helpful for careful planning). Many are already supporting the church financially to the point that they literally have no more they can give than what they already do. This church exists because of them, and its mission is to serve them as they serve others in and through the body of Christ. If that's you, thank you for all the contributions you have made beyond the regular offering of your tithes, and for all that you do, and have done, to build this church. Now it's our turn at the shovel—or the offering plate. 

The first payment is due May 10^th, from which point forward, monthly payments of about $3,000 will be required. To that end, a letter, a pledge card, and special offering envelopes for the remainder of this year will be arriving at your door within a week or so of your reading this.

Imagine if 60 "giving units” gave $50 a month to this crucial effort—we would be right on target. Some may be able to give more. Many want to contribute, but can’t give that much—their offerings will be as crucial as any. Some may also give one-time gifts. (Please bear in mind that the more money we can give sooner rather than later, the better off we will be in the long run—by far). And if some can't give anything monetarily, they can give their support in faithfulness to those who can.

If you choose not to participate in this campaign for personal reasons, I honor your prayerful decision and simply ask two things: first, that you read the pledge letter before tossing it; second, that you remain gracious enough to allow those of us who have come to the opposite conclusion to carry out the congregation's decision.

Every penny given for this land will allow the mission of the Presbyterian presence to remain and thrive in Carolina Beach, paving the way for such immediate needs as additional parking, and such long-term needs as additional building space. For the urgency of that, ask the experts: crowded choir members, Scouts with no permanent storage area, youth groups who don't have a recreation room, fellowship planners who are running out of room, Vacation Bible School teams who need more rooms or more space, and the list goes on from there. What a great problem to have—a living, faithful church with a thriving mission!—and what a great opportunity to help build this church for the present and the future.