MINISTRY EXPANSION CAMPAIGN
ministry expansion
campaign
AT A GLANCE
- Dedicated, reverential worship space with an altar area for Living Stone, compared to the use of the gymnasium for church services
- Flexible and inviting space accommodating larger congregational and community events, banquets, assemblies, women’s seasonal events, presentations, VBS, receptions, and celebrations.
- Enhanced stage for presentations and plays
- Spacious new fellowship gathering lobby with food reception area, adjoining modern kitchen
- Meisch Music Suite with appropriately-sized music rehearsal and instrumental spaces
- Same number of parking spots
- Drop-off porticos retained, plus new east rear drive
- Gym with regulation-size court, dual practice courts, locker rooms, and concession stand
- Four new classrooms, plus collaboration rooms
- Tell the Wonders He Has Done represents the planned Phase II of the 2017/2018 campaign Tell the Next Generation
St. Paul's On Air
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KFUO Radio interview on expansion
St. Paul's hit the airwaves in July 2024. From our log-cabin beginnings to exciting new chapters, listen on KFUO Radio for an on-air discussion about St. Paul’s “HIStory” with Pastor Thomas, Mark Cannon, and Sherry Whitlock. KFUO hosts of The Coffee Hour, Andy Bates and Sarah Gulseth, interviewed the trio in-studio this week in a conversation about milestones and memories in our 175-year history, outreach, expanding ministries, and our recent groundbreaking.
pRayer resources
To begin each week with God's Word in mind, our campaign prayer coordinators and pastors share a Mindful Monday devotion.
Mindful Monday devotion | "How Should We Pray?" | Read here
Authored by Becky Blake, prayer co-coordinators for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Rivers of Blessings" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinators for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Rejoice in the Measure of Our Spiritual Life" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinators for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Break the Flask" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinators for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "A Challenge and a Promise" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinators for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "What Happened to the Rich Young Man" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinators for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "The Children Yet Unborn" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinators for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "No Time for Lukewarm" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinators for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "The Secret of Great Joy" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinators for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "He Isn't Done with Us!" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Glen Thomas
Mindful Monday devotion | "Sacred Service" | Read here
Authored by Becky Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Pass the Salt" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Tanner Wade
Mindful Monday devotion | "Broken and Redeemed" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "The 'Coming' of a New season" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Glen Thomas
Mindful Monday devotion | "Hurry Up and Wait" | Read here
Authored by Becky Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "That Time of Year" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Tanner Wade
Mindful Monday devotion | "The Awesome Gift of Godly Sorrow" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "A New Start" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Glen Thomas
Mindful Monday devotion | "Aha!" | Read here
Authored by Becky Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "A 'Day One' Approach" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Tanner Wade
Mindful Monday devotion | "Saints" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Well-Worn Pages" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Lawton Thompson
Mindful Monday devotion | "Repenting the 'Lutheran' Way" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Glen Thomas
Mindful Monday devotion | "Ready to Share: The Wonders of God" | Read here
Authored by Carla Kirby of St. Paul's LWML
Mindful Monday devotion | "Tragedy and Triumph" | Read here
Authored by Becky Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Repentance Is Not Easy Work" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Christ Walked the Road" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Glen Thomas
Mindful Monday devotion | "Embrace the Loneliness" | Read here
Authored by Becky Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Rising from the Ashes" | Due to technical difficulties this devotion is not available online
Authored by Pastor Tanner Wade
Mindful Monday devotion | "Everlasting Covenant" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "The New Life of Spring" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Glen Thomas
Mindful Monday devotion | ""The Gift of Change" | Read here
Authored by Becky Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "What Are You Looking At?" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Tanner Wade
Mindful Monday devotion | "What Is More Energizing Than Eternal Life?" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Spring's Song of Creation and REcreation" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Lawton Thompson
Mindful Monday devotion | "New Wine in Old Wineskins" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Glen Thomas
Mindful Monday devotion | "The Legacy of Faith" | Read here
Authored by Becky Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "It's a Huge Adjustment" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Tanner Wade
Mindful Monday devotion | "Zeal for the New Life" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Hearing the Voice of Jesus" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Glen Thomas
Mindful Monday devotion | "Bullseye!" | Read here
Authored by Becky Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "A Different Perspective" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Lawton Thompson
Mindful Monday devotion | "Safe to Shore" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Tanner Wade
Mindful Monday devotion | "Masks of God" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Glen Thomas
Mindful Monday devotion | "God Gives the Growth" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Into the Lion's Den" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Tanner Wade
Mindful Monday devotion | "The Heart of Service" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Lawton Thompson
Mindful Monday devotion | "What Is Your Why?" | Read here
Authored by Becky Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Some Demolition Reflections" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Glen Thomas
Mindful Monday devotion | "Demolition" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "What Is to Be Learned?" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Tanner Wade
Mindful Monday devotion | "Keeping in Step With the Spirit" | Read here
Authored by Becky Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Faithful Focus" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Lawton Thompson
Mindful Monday devotion | "It's Not About You!" | Read here
Authored by Jessica Thompson, deaconess intern at St. Paul's
Mindful Monday devotion | "The Fruit of Peace" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Glen Thomas
Mindful Monday devotion | "Planted and Rooted" | Read here
Authored by James Blake, prayer co-coordinator for our ministry expansion campaign
Mindful Monday devotion | "Evident vs. Eternal" | Read here
Authored by Pastor Tanner Wade
campaign timeline
- September 24 | Prayer Walk | Noon | read more in tab below
- September 24-October 22 | Sermon series
- October 5 | 7:00 p.m. | Guest Presentation: Tax-Efficient Charitable Giving | read more in tab below
- October 6 | Prayer Vigil | read more in tab below
- October 8 | Cottage Meetings at Church | read more in tab below
- October 22 | Concert of Prayer | read more in tab below
- October 29 | Commitment Celebration | Reformation | Brat & Pie Fry | read more in the two tabs below
- December 17 | Voters’ Meeting | Approve final building project
- January 7 | First Gifts | Epiphany Sunday
- Sunday, June 30 | Noon | Groundbreaking Ceremony
- January 2026 | Projected Completion
Read more about ministry expansion campaign events by expanding the tabs above
PRAYER WALK
Sunday, September 24 • Noon
Join us for our Wonders prayer walk, the first of at least three organized prayer opportunities as we journey together in our ministry expansion campaign. You're invited to follow along a guided prayer path, stopping to pray at specific locations on St. Paul's grounds — the same sites where new ministry spaces and buildings will be constructed. The vision of the walk is to offer intentional prayer, with scripture readings provided at each stop, and to conclude the walk with an optional foot-washing ceremony.
PRAYER VIGIL
Friday, October 6 | Noon through midnight
Time slot signup | Prayer Guide
As we continue to journey through the Tell the Wonders He Has Done ministry expansion campaign, we would like to invite the congregation to the next planned prayer event.
Please join us in a prayer vigil at church beginning at noon on Friday, October 6 through midnight. The 12-hour period will be divided into specific time slots of 30-minute increments, with the goal of having one or more congregation members sign up for each in-person slot; you are welcome to select more than one slot. This deliberate time of continuous prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17) is offered up specifically for St. Paul's ministry expansion campaign.
The vigil will be held in the sanctuary, which will keep our praying intentional and sacrificial. A prayer guide will be provided with scriptures and contemplative questions to focus on during your prayer time. The prayer guide will also be available in advance on the Expansion menu tab of our website.
For those who can't join in person, we encourage you to take a moment to pray at home. Personal prayer is another opportunity to deepen our faith and expand our prayer life so God’s plans and purposes can be carried out as we continue to Tell the Wonders He Has Done. “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16
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WHAT IS A VIGIL?
vigil | noun | ˈvi-jəl
1 "The act of keeping awake at times when sleep is customary"
2 "An event or a period of time when a person or group stays in a place and quietly waits, prays, etc., especially at night"
3 "A watch formerly kept on the night before a religious feast with prayer or other devotions"
Merriam-Webster Dictionary
COTTAGE MEETINGS
Our Cottage Gatherings for the Tell the Wonders He Has Done ministry expansion campaign are proving to be a great blessing for all who are attending them. Good news! There are still cottage gatherings planned in various homes, and we encourage you to attend one of them. There will also be one final Cottage Gathering at St. Paul's on Sunday, October 8, at 9:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall.
- If you are planning to attend one of the Cottage Gatherings in members' homes (dates, times, addresses, and host contact info was emailed to congregation members), please call the hosts to let them know you are planning to attend.
- If you are planning to attend the October 8 Cottage Gathering at St. Paul's, please email Vicki Brosch or call 314-686-7877 and let her know you are planning to attend.
The Cottage Gatherings include Bible study, an explanation of the new ministry facilities that could result from this effort, and a great opportunity to enjoy food and fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ here at St. Paul's. We would love for you to join us!
Thank you in advance for your participation in these cottage meetings. Thank you also for your prayers in support of this historic ministry expansion opportunity. May God bless us as we seek to be a greater blessing to others in His mission to “Strengthen the saved and save the lost!”
God's abundant blessings to you in all things!
In His Service,
Pastor Thomas
CONCERT OF PRAYER
Sunday, Oct. 22 • 4:00 p.m. | Gym
Join us for an afternoon concert as we continue our prayerful focus in the Tell the Wonders He Has Done ministry expansion campaign. This special Concert of Prayer will include scripture readings, prayer, music, and congregational songs led by our Living Stone band, with instrumentalists on piano, guitar, vocals, and percussion.
REFORMATION BRAT & PIE FRY
Commitment Sunday Celebration
Sunday, October 29 | Noon - 2:00 p.m.
Join the festivities at St. Paul's second annual Reformation celebration, featuring German specialties and themed activities.
This year, the Brat and Pie Fry serves as our congregation-wide celebration event for our Tell the Wonders He Has Done ministry expansion campaign — the morning when congregation members bring commitment cards to church services.
- Homemade pies
- German food by Chef Krueger | Brats, homemade German potato salad and chunky applesauce | Brat bar with sauerkraut & all the fixings | Hot dogs and chips for kids
- Fitz's root beer on tap
- Kettle corn
- Soccer darts & axe-throwing inflatables
- Accordion player
- Games & kids' crafts
- Pretzel Boys fresh pretzels
- "Indulgence Bar" candy station
- Giveaways
1:00 p.m. Celebration Announcement: Stay to enjoy a time of celebration together at 1:00 p.m. as we unveil the grand total of pledges for the campaign.
Like to bake? Bring a pie to share!
Print a flyer
A variety of fun volunteer positions are available; event volunteers will get a free limited-edition t-shirt!
COMMITMENT SUNDAY | WORSHIP SERVICES
The September and October information forums and cottage meetings have concluded and were a great blessing for our congregation. As we wrap up the “Inspire” phase of Tell the Wonders He Has Done, we progress to the pivotal time when church members prayerfully consider what they can give to support our ministry expansion campaign.
We will come forward as a congregation at our Reformation Day worship services on October 28 and 29 (all five services) with formal commitments. Please bring your completed commitment card with you to church (privacy envelopes are provided).
Reformation worship services will include festival music with choir, orchestra, and Holy Communion. You are invited to wear red to church, a long-standing tradition on Reformation Sunday.
At noon, join the festivities at St. Paul’s second annual Brat and Pie Fry — a Reformation Day celebration featuring German specialties and themed activities. Stay to enjoy a time of celebration together at 1:00 p.m. as we unveil the grand total of pledges for the campaign.
learn more
FAQs also outlined and updated in section below
Floorplans and Architectural Renderings
Updated February 2024
Forums Held August 26-29, 2023
Held August 26-29, 2023
Rejoice!
CELEBRATION TIMELINE
October 29, 2023 | Reformation Sunday
Pastor Thomas on Celebration Sunday: “God continues to bless us abundantly! There are times in life when you have to realize that you are witnessing God at work. Today was one of those times for me personally. When we all heard that the amount pledged was $14.3 million*, I was filled with a sense of joy and awe. How moving it was to see people cheering, clapping, and wiping tears from their eyes!
Congregation votes to commence building
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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For the church, the Living Stone service will gain a much-improved and dedicated worship space, the entire congregation will gain a much better fellowship space for the Fellowship Breakfast, and the outreach efforts of the church will gain greater opportunities to engage the outside community in these expanded facilities.
In addition, the dramatic increase in school enrollment over the past three years has caused even the new school building to be filled. There are no open classrooms, and even Spanish instruction will need to be moved from room to room beginning this fall.
This enrollment expansion is continuing, with two kindergarten classes again needed in the 2023-2024 academic year. In addition to the quantity-related need, there are quality-related education improvements that the new expansion will provide, particularly in the areas of student-teacher interaction, music, drama, and athletics.
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While the cost of the current building design is nearly $20 million, the design is being reviewed by a committee from St. Paul’s, Cordogan Clark Architects, and Pinnacle Construction.
The goal is to bring costs down without sacrificing valuable ministry space.
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The current plan calls for no decrease in parking spaces once the project is finished.
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The architect’s renderings depict a very attractive design that blends seamlessly with the existing structures.
The new buildings and the 2020 school were designed architecturally to fall below the visual sight line of the sanctuary, keeping the church building as the most prominent structure on the St. Paul’s campus.
The new structures are two stories tall, with a small-footprint storage level below ground.
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Over the past three years, as school enrollment rose, a dramatic increase in Baptisms and confirmations occurred.
For example, the number of adult confirmations more than doubled from 32 during the three years prior to the new school being built to 74 in the three years following the construction of the new school.
The number of Baptisms directly attributed to the school, Early Childhood Center, and Parents’ Day Out Program increased from 10 in the three years prior to the new school to 41 in the three years following the construction of the new school.
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The remaining 1950s and 1960s facilities will continue to age and deteriorate, requiring increased maintenance and equipment replacement costs.
The school will not be able to expand to two classes per grade, as needed, and will need to turn children away in the coming years. We will have two kindergarten classes again this coming year, resulting in the absence of a dedicated room in which Spanish can be taught.
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As members of the body of Christ, we are not only excited about ministry efforts that directly benefit us.
We are also very supportive of any ministry effort that will bring others into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. This is why we are so supportive of foreign ministry opportunities around the world. They do not benefit us, but they bring abundant and eternal life to many.
While the vast majority of St. Paul’s members will benefit directly from this ministry expansion campaign, we all rejoice and give thanks to God that many others will be added to the Kingdom of God as a result!
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The campaign “kick-off” was Sunday, August 27, and the “Commitment Sunday” (when pledges are received) is Sunday, October 29.
It is a five-year campaign because of the amount that needs to be raised. It is hoped that the same amount of monthly sacrificial giving that is over and above normal offerings for a three-year period could be extended by those making offerings for an additional two years.
It is also hoped that a five-year campaign will avoid the need for a “debt-reduction campaign” after the initial campaign has concluded. With strong and enthusiastic participation by members, a very manageable debt will be incurred by St. Paul’s.
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Five years is the longest campaign timeline recommended in the capital campaign industry because it is very difficult for people to project beyond that time horizon. Therefore, they become extremely hesitant to make a significant sacrificial commitment for seven to 10 years. It is believed that St. Paul's has the capacity to raise the needed funds within the five-year time horizon, and due to the nature of the construction project, it simply can't be easily broken into smaller pieces and pushed into the future. This project needs to be fully planned on the front end to be effectively executed by the construction company. So the available funding must be accounted for to get lenders and contractors aligned around the construction plan.
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Building costs have increased dramatically over the past three years.
One source indicated that the same project three years ago would have cost approximately $15 million. Unfortunately, there is no indication that building costs will decrease in the future.
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The more that is raised, the less that needs to be borrowed. With this in mind, the goal for Tell the Wonders He Has Done is $15 million.
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In addition to providing a much more appropriate, reverent, and attractive space for the Living Stone worship service, the space will also serve as the school’s lunch dining space Monday through Friday.
It offers a “comfortable space” for events, presentations, dramas, banquets, and celebrations for audiences of up to 250 guests.
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From a church and ministry standpoint, St. Paul’s is fully staffed with the exception of an assistant kantor.
It is also an excellent time to build upon the momentum of the past three years and make it possible for our school to continue its enrollment expansion.
Finally, costs and interest rates continue to climb and there is no indication that either will decline in the future.
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At the earliest, construction could start in April or May 2024.
Construction is projected to take 16-18 months.
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It is important to note that we have not voted to build anything yet and will not do so until all pledges have been received.
The plan is to hold a special voters’ meeting on Sunday, December 17, 2023, in order to make a decision on the projected building program.
If sufficient funds are not pledged by that time, different options will be discussed by the voters at that meeting.
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A significant number of parking spots will be lost during construction.
The City of Des Peres will be adding 30 parking spaces next to St. Paul’s older school buildings very soon.
In addition, St. Paul’s plans to resume the van shuttle that operated in the past between the Edward Jones parking lot and St. Paul’s east lobby.
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The ministry expansion campaign will have no impact on school tuition.
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Absolutely. Only the campaign financial director and the pledge recorder will see the pledge cards, by necessity.
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The dramatic increases in Baptisms and confirmations that followed the construction of the new school (see above) demonstrate that our school, Early Childhood Center, and Parents’ Day Out Program are powerful community outreach ministries.
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Absolutely not. St. Paul’s will continue aggressive efforts in all areas of ministry to “Strengthen the saved and save the lost.”
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Circumstances can certainly change over five years, for the better or for the worse. Some may not be able to give the full amount they desired and pledged. Some may be able to increase their pledge amount.
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St. Paul’s has very generous financial aid available and does not want finances to be the reason that children do not attend St. Paul’s.
Parents who have financial concerns are always encouraged to speak with Principal Walker about these concerns.
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A Contingencies Committee, including members from church, school, and other impacted groups, will be formed to explore options and make recommendations months before a change is needed. The team will look at alternative worship gathering spaces, as well as school lunch options, and athletic/PE considerations.
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This is difficult to know exactly, but based on data from a private school handbook, there are 31 parochial (religious-based) primary schools with an average attendance of 226 children (which takes into account ECC and preschool; St. Paul’s is listed as having 369 children). If you exclude five schools with fewer than 100 children (outliers), the average size is 259 children. The two largest are Christ Community Lutheran (745) and Zion Lutheran Harvester (560). Class sizes are very difficult to estimate as the data is listed by student-teacher ratios; frequently, there is more than one teacher per class.
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Even though the basement level is no longer "large" because the kitchen, cafe, and Living Stone will be on the main floor, what would be the cost of putting in a full basement for future needs?
We are awaiting this information from the architectural firm.
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Cost savings are the reason there is not even more storage. It is important to point out that the basement storage is about 2,800 square feet and that there is additional storage available on the ground level and second floor.
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Yes, it is already in the plans to have the school building open for cutting through to get to church, both for safety reasons and for inclement weather.
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The solar panel option is complicated, but we have asked the architects to look at the possibility. We will also need to look at the savings and how the incentives are structured. Since the church does not pay property taxes, there may be a limitation on the incentives that we could receive.
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The alcohol policy is a matter for the board of elders, church council, and pastoral staff to consider. The current policy does not allow any alcohol on campus.
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It is being considered but is not in our current plans due to cost. We have requested an estimate from the architectural firm to see what the additional cost of this would be. The covered walkway could be added in the future.
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More parking, like more storage, is always wonderful to have. Our campus is landlocked, however. We simply cannot go out in any direction without going over property lines. This is why we are digging down to gain additional storage space. Simply stated, we cannot add parking without taking away square footage of building space. There will be parking available in Des Peres Park; we have a joint-use agreement with the City of Des Peres to allow us to use the park for parking for church and other events.
OUR VISION STATEMENT
"To be devoted followers of Jesus Christ, passionate about sharing the Gospel in word and deed."