May 18-19, 2002

The Question: How come nothing's happening with the mold problem?

The Answer: Like a Swiss watch, even though you may not see a lot of movement on the surface, a lot is going on underneath.

The insurance company has given an initial settlement indication that seems very low. Our Project Lemonade team is developing its own claim for the insurance company-to ensure fairness and thoroughness.

Meanwhile, meetings are also ongoing in several different areas to study the best course of action for the future of our present facilities, regarding:

• the sanctuary to accommodate future growth of the congregation;
• the C.E. building to remediate and repair it;
• the C.E. building to possibly demolish it and replace it-and what would be desired in a new building;
• building code upgrades and their costs;
• classroom and office location issues;
• solving the parking issues that would arise from any expansion of the facilities.

At the same time the team is exploring the possibility of selling our current site and buying Grace Community Church near Clear Lake City Blvd. and Hwy. 3. Obviously this remains a long shot, but we are happy to explore the possibilities that could be on the mind of the God of the impossible. Toward such an end, we are exploring the finances, the suitability of the building to our needs and style, the soundness of the structure, the necessary and desired changes and improvements, the costs of such changes, increasing the size of our organ to fit the sanctuary and fill it with music, the school, and the accommodations for infants, toddlers, elementary, jr. hi, high school and adult classes, the Day School, MDO, VISIONS, scouts, music and all the myriad other programs of CLPC.

Clear Lake Methodist seriously considered buying Grace a couple years ago. (They actually voted to make the purchase, but their district superintendent vetoed the decision.) In order to prepare their due diligence, they developed thorough, professional studies of the facilities, including analyses by an architectural firm, an acoustic consulting firm, and studies by mechanical, civil, plumbing, structural and electrical engineers. They have given this information to CLPC, and are being very generous in sharing other information. They have already saved us thousands of dollars and months of work.

The Project Lemonade Task Forces are researching all alternatives to be proposed to the Session, who in turn will make its proposal(s) to the congregation. Then it will fall to the congregation to vote its mind on the options.

Given the complexity and interconnectedness of all the possibilities, we expect it to be a couple more months before any significant construction begins.

In the meantime, the various committees and task forces are working long hours, often taking time off from work to attend meetings, to visit other churches for ideas, to meet with architects, engineers and consultants, to meet with insurance specialists and insurance company representatives, and to explore all the different components needed to accomplish this. They covet and need your prayers and support and pledge themselves to provide as complete a package of information as possible for the congregation to consider and vote upon. They are working for you and for God's greater glory here at CLPC.

Please join with them in praying for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in determining where Clear Lake Presbyterian Church is being led and that whatever decision is reached, that it be the Holy Spirit's desire and not ours. God has great plans for Clear Lake Presbyterian Church!

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