As I sit here and write this report it is hard to believe that it has been only been 8 weeks (as of 10.31.11) since the flood at the church.  In that time we have been working hard to restore the building.  Besides the visual things that you see, there was a lot done that you did not see.  Our Leases and Insurance Ministry work with the insurance coverage and they dealt with tenant issues.   So thank you Ken Johnson and Kathy Loveland for all the hard work they did and are still putting in long hours working with the insurance companies.

For the first 2 ½ weeks we were not allowed to start the reconstruction process until all of the de-con and demo was done.  During that time we loaded several dumpsters of damaged contents from the church as well as the day care. The members of the Knights of Columbus and Notre Dame church worked hard with our members on several occasions.  We also took all of our belongings that could be saved and put them into a trailer donated by Pioneer Freight.

But once we received the clean bill to enter, the work started with all the contractors under the direction of the General Contractor – Cowley Construction.  In Sunnyfields Day Care the walls were opened 4 foot high to remove any hazards.  All the electric outlets were replaced, new sheetrock installed and painted, new cabinets and new vanities were put in the classrooms, the boys and girls rooms updated, new exhaust system was installed in the restrooms and in all the class rooms and boys and girls room.  We had a new boiler installed to heat the offices, Sunnyfields Day Care and the CE building.  The new boiler hangs on the wall 2 feet off the floor.  With the new technology we only need one boiler not 2, the size is about 2 by 3 foot in size.  The hot water heater was also replaced.

In the hallway, offices and library the walls were opened 2 foot high.  All the electric was updated, new sheetrock installed by the contractor and then painted by volunteers from our church, Knight of Columbus and members from Notre Dame Church.  New carpet was installed in all of the offices, library and sanctuary.  A wifi system was also installed as well as networking the offices to the copier.

In the sanctuary volunteers from all of our resources painted all of the pews.

Due to the damage, all of the heating and air-conditioning ductwork, and the 3 furnaces and air handlers as well as the compressors needed to be replaced, which heats and cools the Sanctuary itself.  We now have an efficient new system that hangs from the beams in the basement.

The fire alarm system was brought up to the new code standards.  The sheds needed to be replaced; they will be put on a concrete base (which has already been done) to help prevent standing water and rotting of the wood.

All of the pew cushions, the carpet on the stairs to the balcony and the balcony carpets were cleaned, and the new carpet in the sanctuary was scotch guarded. Stanley Steamer cleaned the library and the furniture in Pastor Don’s office.

All the office furniture needed to be replaced. Some furniture was donated from JP Morgan on Jefferson Road as they closed their offices.

So who did the rebuilding and upgrades:  General Contractor Cowley Construction LLC, ServPro, MAKKO Heating and Cooling, Esposito Electric, AC Drywall and Painting, Rocco Ciufalo Plumbing and Heating, City Fire, Shaugher Group, and Stanley Steamer.  These fine contractors worked hard and no one got hurt and all work was done on time.

Our hard work by many members including the Sr. Highs on Saturday October 22nd allowed us to be at our “home” on October 23rd. THANK YOU!

The work will be starting in Phase 2 shortly as we are waiting for drawings and town approval for the kitchen and restrooms.  There are structural repairs as well as re-wiring of that end of the building.  Parish hall and the restrooms will be made handicapped accessible. We hope to have all the work done by the end of January of 2012.  We will keep you informed as we make progress.

Thank you for all of your help and support during this project!

Yours in Christ,

Dale and Kathy

Property Ministry

A photo gallery is now available on our web site.  Here you will find pictures of the flood as well as the damage and reconstruction of the church.  You can access the gallery from the "News & Events" menu, or click here.  Updates will be posted regularly as work progresses.  Event pictures will also be made available here in the future.  Check back often!

With the prospect of winter weather just around the corner, your church session wants you to be informed and safe.  On Sunday mornings when the weather is questionable, please check your e-mail.  By 8:30 a.m., when the weather is troublesome for driving, there will be an e-mail that will inform you about church operations that day.  If you don’t have e-mail, there will be a message on the church answering machine (973 -887-2197) by 8:30 a.m. that will inform you about church operations on inclement Sundays. Please be patient when you call; others may be calling and causing the line to be busy.   In all cases, always use your best judgment in traveling during poor winter conditions.   

The 2012 MONTHLY FLOWER CHART for January - February has been posted on the bulletin board in the hallway. Those signing up will be asked to provide the following information:
·For the bulletin - Whom are the flowers being given by? (For example the bulletin may read “The flowers this morning are given to the glory of God by the Smith family” or “by Joe & Jane Smith” etc…)
·For the bulletin - Are the flowers in loving memory of someone and/or in honor of someone? (For example would you like to bulletin to read “by the Smith family in memory of loved ones” or “by the Smith family in honor of Joe’s 50th birthday” etc…)
·Would you like to donate one vase or two
·Would you like to take any of the vases home with you or have the Scribe deliver them to a sick or shut in member.

Once you sign up to place flowers in the sanctuary you will receive either by email or regular mail a request for the above information. Vases are $25 each.