Dear All,
I am having the hardest time believing we are now at the end of March. The first quarter of 2025 is now over, and it has flown by. We are more than half-way through Lent, which hopefully means our flowers will be blooming soon. From my office window, I can see the poor daffodils desperately trying to continue blooming in the recent cold and windy weather.
I have often been heard saying that I would love to have a month go by where we do not have to deal with any building issues. Well, that is not going to be true for March or April. Early this week, water was found on the landing in the south stairwell of the Parish Building. Also, it was observed that the ceiling seemed to be bowing a bit. After a quick phone call, a ladder, and some investigation, it was discovered that above the ceiling, everything was sopping wet, including the insulation, joists, and any other item in the area. Additionally, black mold was present as the area had been wet for a considerable amount of time.
The leak was located in an area where the gutter ended with no downspout to direct the water away. And if I know one thing, water will always find a place to go, and it is usually where you least want it to be. The water has come into the ceiling, where the grouting has deteriorated and flowed not only into the ceiling but down the wall, impacting the south wall in the third-floor library.
First thing to know: The stairwell cannot be used at this time! Either the elevator or the stairwell through the kitchen will need to be used to go either downstairs to the classroom or upstairs to the offices. Dust from the work being done is something you just don’t need to inhale, although the workers are very good at keeping the dust to a minimum.
Second thing to know – you cannot use the Memorial Garden door entrance at this time as there is a large lift parked in that area. You will need to enter either through the main church doors or through the parking lot doors.
The third thing to know – this is going to be an expensive repair job. New joists, new beams, new insulation, new exterior flashing and caulking; wall repairs in the library, etc. The total amount of the work to be done or its cost is yet to be determined as they continue to find problems. Vestry has approved $20,000 for the work at this time but they are fully aware that the price may go higher very quickly once we understand the full extent of the work to be done. The money will come from the estate gift Max Pierce left us a few years ago. Max was very involved in our building and its care.
But . . . we still have a roof over our head, and the toilets are flushing. So, life is good. God is good all the time. Please take care of yourself.
Blessings to you and yours,
Karen+