Capital Campaign

Dear Fellow Lakewood Methodist Members,

Thanks to the incredible generosity and hard work of so many here at Lakewood UMC, 2007 was our best year ever.  We rejoice not only in the numerical and spiritual growth of our membership, but also in the almost constant usage of our remodeled and new facilities, including the FAITH (Fellowship And Inspiration Through Him) Center and the newly opened Scouting and Community Ministries building.  We are now taking the next step forward in becoming totally debt-free as a congregation as quickly as possible, as per the words of Romans 13.8, “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another.”  We begin our permanent financing later this month of the approximately $6.8 million which is still owed for all of the previous projects at Lakewood (including the construction of our sanctuary, now more than ten years ago), and we determined that by reducing that amount by $300,000 and then paying off half of what is owed (or three million dollars) within the next three years, we could not only cut the period of servicing our debt by several years, but we could actually save almost five million dollars in long-term interest. This would also free up more than $500,000 for other ministries and programs each year that follows!

Towards that end, Sunday, March 30 was a great day at Lakewood as we formally inaugurated the three-year giving period of our "No Debt But Love" campaign, designed to reduce the amount of our principle indebtedness prior to the start of permanent financing.  Contributions on that date totalled $317,612, the largest single-day giving in our history!  If you have not yet made a pledge towards this program, extra commitment cards are available on Sunday mornings in the Narthex or at the rear of Asbury Hall, and they may be turned in to the office.

“No Debt But Love” Steering Committee

            Gary Countryman                              Lorie Hougland                                    Colin McLeod

                Beth Parnell                                   Sally Stewart                                      Julia Sweny

            Chappell Temple                                  Joye Thorne                                     Ben Trammell