Raise the Roof FAQs
Raise the Roof Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Come, let’s shout praises to God, raise the roof for the Rock of our salvation! Psalm 95:1-2
Overview of the Campaign
Why is Immanuel doing another capital campaign?
Since 1998, Immanuel has conducted regular capital campaigns every three to five years in order to support maintenance and improvements to our facility and infrastructure, pay down mortgage debt, and raise funds for special benevolence projects. These campaigns have allowed us to be faithful in tending to these critical needs, while maintaining the long-term health of our congregation. Immanuel’s capital campaigns also serve another important developmental function: by providing opportunities for incremental giving over and above our annual budget, they support our capacity for stewardship growth, help us flourish as disciples of God, and strengthen our overall commitment to the many missions we support.
What is the scope of our Raise the Roof Capital Campaign?
Our $400,000 Raise the Roof Capital Campaign will address Immanuel’s remaining big facility needs with needed roof repairs, HVAC replacement, updates to our IT network and computer systems, and general updates to our restrooms. Raise the Roof will also allow us to bless others with our gifts of benevolence. We will REROOF, RENEW & REJOICE!
Reroof:
- Replacing the rest of the old roof sections ($225,000)
Renew:
- Replacing the one remaining large HVAC unit for the Sanctuary ($65,000)
- Updating computers & IT network ($32,000)
- Updating our 4 restrooms ($20,000)
- Installing projection capabilities in the Living Room ($5,000)
Rejoice:
- Benevolent giving to Simpson Housing Services and Habitat for Humanity (10% of our campaign total)
In the interest of full transparency, capital fundraising campaigns do not come without some expenses for printing, postage, graphic design, and other related costs. In previous campaigns, we have also used the services of an outside fundraising consulting firm. This time, we have elected to take this all in-house at a substantial savings. The result is that our fundraising expenses will not exceed $5,000–less than 1.5% of our target goal–thereby ensuring that the campaign will be conducted with maximum efficiency.
Reroof
I thought we already repaired the roof?
We have indeed been systematically replacing parts of our aging roof over the last 8 years, replacing immediate and urgently needed sections first, while spreading the cost of roof replacement over several capital campaigns. Large sections over the Sanctuary and Luther Hall were replaced in the past few years, but other sections are still made up of our old gravel roof (weighing 11 lbs./square foot). These sections are being systematically replaced with an EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer) rubber membrane (weighing 1 lb./square foot). It’s a weather-resistant synthetic membrane that is especially UV- and ozone-resistant, and is excellent in low temperature environments like ours.
When the work funded by this campaign is complete, the majority of the entire roof will have been replaced within the last 6 years, putting us in a great position for the future. EPDM roofs last for a minimum of 30 years, and in fact have been shown to last as long as 50 years, based on tests conducted by the EPDM Roofing Association (ERA). (Find more information here: https://roofingmagazine.com/epdm-service-life/4/). As a result, we may also benefit from potential insurance discounts.
See the roof sections that will be replaced: Roof Replacement Project
Renew
Didn’t we already replace all of our HVAC systems?
Previous campaigns allowed us to replace our smaller furnaces and air-conditioning units as well as one of the two large HVAC systems in our building. We still have one large HVAC unit for the Sanctuary which needs replacement (and when we replace that old unit, we’ll also replace the roof underneath it).
What’s included in the expense for “computers & IT network”?
Over the last 10 years, digital technology has allowed us to connect with our congregation in a virtual way…keeping people connected and part of the church in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic. In fact, we were in a better place than many other churches in this regard during the pandemic, and we want to continue to build on our media-rich ministry opportunities as we adapt to this ever-evolving world.
A total cost of $32,000 is estimated to replace/augment our aging networking technology and computers over the next 3 years so that Immanuel can continue to have reliable internet connections for worship live-streaming, Zoom meetings and ministries, phone calls (we have an internet based phone service), internet-based electronic door control, and website maintenance. Improvements include:
- Replacing the 14 aging (7-year-old) computers used by staff to support our general operations;
- Replacing the network infrastructure (both main internet switches, along with modems, routers, and their backups). Upgrading to current technology will allow us to quickly replace a failed component so that our network can be back up and running in minutes rather than hours or days;
- Installing a new generation of WiFi for consistent and reliable virtual video conferencing. This will directly benefit Adult Faith Formation’s Bible studies, and will support Zoom video conferencing events for SALT, our Confirmation ministry, and children’s ministries, as well as providing general WiFi access for guests in our building.
What will be included in the renovations of our 4 restrooms?
Frankly, our bathrooms could use some help! While Immanuel has made many needed updates to most other rooms in our building over the last 10 years, the same cannot be said for our restrooms. Like it or not, people make judgments within minutes of entering churches, and restrooms are an important part of what makes a church a welcoming place. Ours need updating to provide a bright and clean space for members, guests, and their families. Things like:
- Replacing fixtures;
- Replacing countertops;
- Painting;
- Replacing ceiling tiles;
- Installing motion-activated lighting;
- Refreshing grout and tiles.
Why a projection system in the Living Room?
With a projection system installed in the Living Room, we will enable a rich media environment for students on Sunday (God Squad’s 5th and 6th graders), Women’s Bible studies, Confirmation students, and a wide variety of smaller groups that use this space for meetings. A projection system will also provide Immanuel with a medium sized room for effective hybrid meetings (simultaneous in-person and online meetings), which provide increased access to our ministries, especially as the pandemic lingers.
Rejoice!
What ministry partners will we support with the benevolence portion of our Raise the Roof Capital Campaign?
Two of our ministry partner organizations which are literally raising the roof over the heads for people are Simpson Housing Services and Habitat for Humanity.
Simpson Housing Services
Immanuel has supported the work of Simpson Housing Services for more than a dozen years: our Men’s Ministry has regularly served breakfast at the men’s shelter. In addition, we have contributed to their mission annually from our benevolence fund.
Simpson Housing Services plans to build a modern, welcoming space with a bold, comprehensive plan to support people experiencing homelessness while continuing to embrace the dignity and uniqueness of each shelter guest. Plans for the five-story facility include two floors of permanent supportive housing (42 efficiency units), two floors of emergency shelter (70 beds), a commercial kitchen capable of serving roughly 100 people, a 24-hour front desk, and offices/clinic space for service staff and community partners. The additional capacity will help guests stay healthy, maintain a safe social distance from one another, and experience greater comfort and dignity – an ideal model for operating and responding to community needs during a pandemic.
Learn more about Simpson Housing Services.
Habitat for Humanity
Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity works to raise the roof by bringing affordable housing to Twin Cities area communities and the families that live in them. Habitat connects these families to the community through neighborhood revitalization projects.
Immanuel has supported the work of Habitat over 25 years and has regularly sent volunteer teams to work on Twin Cities Habitat projects, raising the roof over our neighbors. Immanuel has also hosted fundraisers for Habitat, inviting people from the community to enjoy a spaghetti dinner in support of Habitat. In recent years Immanuel has annually contributed $7,500 of our benevolence to support the work of Habitat.
Learn more about Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.
How much of our Raise the Roof Capital Campaign funds will be gifted to Simpson House Services and Habitat for Humanity?
Our Raise the Roof Capital Campaign will give 10% of our campaign total in benevolence.
The Church Council, at the February 8, 2022, meeting decided to distribute the funds as follows:
- Simpson Housing Services: 5%
- Habitat for Humanity: 5%
General Questions
In the past we’ve applied some of our capital campaign funds to help pay down our mortgage, so why won’t some of our Raise the Roof funds be used to help pay down our debt?
At the Annual Meeting of the congregation on January 23, 2022, the congregation voted to use cash on hand and cash in reserve to pay off the balance of our mortgage ($333,000) in the spring of 2022. By doing so, we will pay off our mortgage early, saving at least $28,000 in interest fees. This will enable Immanuel to spend more of the dollars generously donated by our congregation on ministry initiatives and giving to partner ministries as opposed to directing it towards our mortgage. Rejoice! And yes, we are planning a mortgage burning celebration on Sunday, June 5, 2022!
Will we have another capital campaign?
Immanuel has historically conducted regular capital campaigns every three to five years in order to support maintenance and improvements to our facility and to raise funds for special benevolence projects. Because of the faithful way the people of Immanuel have supported these campaigns over the years, our building is in excellent condition. When the remaining needs included in our Raise the Roof Capital Campaign are addressed, Immanuel will be well-situated for the years ahead. We'll reevaluate the need for future capital campaigns as our priorities dictate.
Campaign Details
When should I make my pledge to the capital campaign?
Physical pledge cards will be mailed to your home the week of April 11, 2022. You can pledge online at any time, or submit your pledge in person at our "Celebration of Giving" worship services on Sunday, May 1.
How long will this campaign last? Over how many months will we make our gifts?
Campaign pledges will be spread over 36 months between May 5, 2022 and May 4, 2025.
How will gifts be made?
Gifts can be submitted weekly, monthly, annually, with some portion gifted upfront, or all at once. Recurring gift giving can be automated using our online tool or through our Vanco Mobile App.
Some may choose to give in other ways such as: Appreciated Securities; Qualified Charitable Distribution; Donor Advised Fund; Deferred Giving/Planned Giving; Bequest from will, trust or insurance; or other means. Contact our Church Administrator, Tammy Vergeront, tammy@immanuel.us, for details.
A member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.