2.      MCC has hired an architect.  He is Phillip Markwood and he has a special niche designing and renovating churches.  His local projects include the addition at Church of the Redeemer in Hyde Park, an addition and renovation at College Hill Presbyterian Church, and renovation at Christ Church Cathedral downtown.  We were impressed by Phil’s innovative ideas about how our buildings could be adapted to better suit our ministry needs.  We are hoping that Phil will be able to join us for worship on an upcoming Sunday morning so that many MCC’ers will have the opportunity to meet him.  Phil will also be meeting with leaders of the various MCC ministries to talk to them about their needs.

3.      Our tentative schedule for renovation of the buildings is to start on the Chapel late in 2007 and begin work at the Parish Center in the spring of 2008, completing the work in the fall of 2008.  We are planning to hold our Sunday services in the Chapel while the Parish Center is renovated.  Discussions with the Mariemont School Board are underway about using space at Dale Park School for kid and adult Sunday classes during that time.

4.      The Parish Center will be vacated, with the exception of the MCC Preschool, during its renovation.  Church offices will be temporarily relocated.   Lois Barbro has been notifying the many groups that use our buildings that they will need to find temporary meeting and storage space while the Parish Center is being renovated.

5.      Harry Badanes, Mike Cambron, Michael Barnes, and Tom Dewey – our finance team - are investigating foundations and businesses that may be interested in contributing to our project.

Pastor Denis, Don Keyes, Anne Badanes, and Joy Norman visited the Mariemont Village Council Meeting on Monday August 13th and shared our vision and needs with them.

6.      God has blessed us tremendously with the expertise and skill of one of our more recent attendees.  Jim May is a construction manager who is donating his time and great knowledge to help us plan for the construction process.  

7.      Thanks to Rena, Sara, and Barb for sharing this past Sunday the impact of Whiz Kids on their lives, as well as the lives of the children of John Parker School.  Investing our gifts and talents in God’s Kingdom always comes with great rewards.  We hope to share other testimonies in the weeks ahead of how God is moving in our midst.  

8.      A LOT HAPPENED THIS PAST SUNDAY TO KICK OFF THIS JOURNEY.  IF YOU MISSED IT, PLEASE PICK UP A CD OF THE SERVICE AT THE RESOURCE CENTER AND LOOK FOR YOUR COPY OF THE IMAGINE JOURNAL IN THE MAIL.

9.      COME AND LEARN MORE!!  We will be holding Information Meetings following Sunday worship this Sunday, August 19, and next Sunday, August 26.  Childcare and refreshments are available.  

10.  Most importantly, we invite you to continue to pray the daily covenant prayer – distributed on Sunday and available on the web site – each day, we will join together to ask for God’s special favor on our expedition of surrender and faith.

With great expectancy of how God will change us all into a closer image of His Son…