First Congregational Church

Last night’s Skylight Serenade free-will offering raised $1129 for the Capital Campaign.

The potluck and Broadway show were well-attended by enthusiastic members and friends who enjoyed the choir’s presentation of the Manhattan Melodies medly, led by director Virginia Dunbar and staged by Neal Luebke. Neal directed an ensemble concert reading which delighted the audience. Organist Dr. Christopher Schindler presented two piano solos as well as accompanying the choir and soloists throughout the evening.

Soloists from the choir presented songs from My Fair Lady followed by the return of the entire choir for the Ascot Gavotte. The audience joined in the singing for Edelweiss from The Sound of Music before the choir sang So Long, Farewell – also from The Sound of Music. The choir closed with a reprise of the Ascot Gavotte tune but using words written by Dr. Mary Craford, The Skylight Serenade.

Thanks to all who made this an enjoyable outing, including the audience!

Cory Saum-Blystone announced during worship this morning, June 7, that last Sunday’s First Fruits offering for the Capital Campaign totaled $34,100. This brings the total amount received, including early gifts, to $46,311. We are off to a great start! The fulfillment period for the campaign will extend through May, 2012.

Continue to check this space for regular updates on the campaign and the progress on the design and preparations for next summer’s work on the skylights and roof.

On Sunday, May 31st, Capital Campaign chairman Bert Martin announced that seventy-nine pledges totaling commitments of $425,307 were received on the preceeding two Sundays for the Capital Campaign. The announcement concluded the first phase of the Capital Campaign.

Bert passed the campaign baton to Cory Saum-Blystone who will lead the pledge fulfillment phase of the campaign which begins with the First Fruits offering on May 31st.

If you missed the premier of the Capital Campaign video after church on May 10th, all is not lost… you can watch the video right here! Be sure to watch all the way to the exciting conclusion – it runs about four minutes (and don’t forget to turn on your computer’s sound).

FORWARD – Restoring for the Future, the movie! (click the link to see the movie)