News

Village Church ~ EMPOWERING THE FUTURE

You are invited to help Village Church discern how to best Empower Our Future!

Using the work of Vision 2020 as our guide, the Village Church Council has been faithfully considering a Campaign focused on three priorities: caring for the environment through an energy-sensitive HVAC installation to replace Wellesley’s aging oil-powered system and the greening of our Weston campus; providing for future generations through establishing a Children & Youth Ministry Endowment and strengthening our Property Reserve; and serving others through Village Table and other outreach ministries.

Throughout October and into November, our congregation will discuss these priorities and the accompanying financing and fundraising options. Our intention is to reach consensus and be ready for a Congregational Meeting by November 17th.

Please plan to attend these important conversations; your presence, questions, and thoughts are a valued part of our process.

Here is a link to the PowerPoint presentation used for the conversations >

Here is a link to an informative video: Drill for Geothermal Energy | This Old House

Sunday, November 10 – Congregational Hearing

• In-person in the Wellesley Chapel or Sanctuary/Zoom (approx. 11:15am) following 10am Worship

Sunday, November 17 – Congregational Meeting and Vote

• In-person in the Wellesley Chapel or Sanctuary/Zoom (approx. 11:15am) following 10am Worship

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85247221488? pwd=fhdy9HiNG7QhisrodkyBfuYE780NSP.1

If prompted:

Meeting ID: 852 4722 1488

Passcode: 686162

We need to replace the way we cool and heat our church. The current system in Wellesley creaks toward its well-earned old age. We now have an opportunity to go from a fossil-fuel-based system to a geothermal one that would allow us to approach the future using renewable energy while saving on ongoing fuel costs.

We are at a crossroads where the congregation must make a choice during a congregational meeting this fall.

A leadership task force secured two bids for a replacement system.

• A natural-gas system that includes an upgrade to gas boilers and electric heat pumps with a 30-year life. The estimated cost, with rebates, is $1.85 million, with a fossil-fuel running cost of $25,000 per year.
• A geothermal system that includes ground-sourced units powered by wells with a life of 100 years. The estimated cost, with rebates, is $2.3 million (to be finalized in late August), and eliminates the spend on fossil fuel.

Both options represent a significant improvement over the current system. And both options also will require a significant fundraising campaign, which will be part of a broader capital campaign, “Empowering Our Future.” The combined campaign is an ambitious effort to ensure a bright future for the next 225 years and would include:

• Kitchen upgrades to enhance our Village Table ministry’s capacity to serve our community.
• Upgrades to the Weston campus for congregational use and as an interfaith center.
• Energy-efficient lighting upgrades throughout the church building.
• A backup generator and sanctuary window replacements to complete the building’s “greening” efforts.
• Endowment enhancement to secure funds for future needs.

With a potential goal of raising $3 million in 3 years, we understand that Sarah’s reminder that “God makes more of us together” takes on special meaning. We pray for the congregation’s discernment, a clear call, and an ever-stronger community. A feasibility and planning study will soon be underway to help us prepare.

This journey requires your participation. We need volunteers for various tasks, from short-term activities to working groups. Please contact Joe Morray, Kathy Schleyer, Candace Sutcliff, or Mark Lenci to offer your expertise and energy.