Rebuilding & Renewing: An Update on our Bienville & Tonti Projects

We are daring to dream big - - and big dreams take big plans! Since Katrina, a
number of people have been involved in the planning and progress of the rebuilding
efforts for the properties on Bienville and Tonti, formerly the Central Congregational
Church. While some work has been done for maintenance
reasons, the majority of the property remains in need of
rebuilding. The exception to this is 329 North Tonti,
which is nearing completion.
Just how will we coordinate the work and how will
we determine the usage of these properties? And, oh yes,
where will we get the money to fund these dreams? At its
June meeting, the Governing Council approved a
committee structure to move forward with the grand
planning of this rebuilding and renewing campaign. Pastor Chris brought this plan
forward after consultation with over a dozen members who have been involved in the
process over the past five years. While the details of the plan and process are yet to
emerge, the structure will be in operation beginning early August.
The work will be coordinated by a four-member Steering Committee, with
each member as a leader and liaison to a sub-committee. Members of the Steering
Committee are Chris Mereschuk (Pastor/Internal Consultants), Fay Kaufman (Social
Justice/Ministry Programs), Carol Etter (Finance/Publicity), and Jim Bonds
(Property). Each sub-committee will have around five members. Both in the steering
committee and in the sub-committees, there is a balance of Central and St. Matthew
legacy members.
The sub-committees will convene to work on their designated tasks, reporting
back to the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will be responsible for
coordinating communication between the sub-committees, as
all will have some degree of interdependency. For example,
particulars of reconstruction will be dependent upon the
ministry programs we seek to have occupy the buildings. The
finance committee will need to know the projected costs of
rebuilding, and might also seek out grants or funding
depending on the nature of the ministry programs.
The "nternal Consultant" group wIll be an ad-hoc
gathering of individuals with specific historic and/or
professional expertise. For example, our legal professionals,
past congregational presidents, and Hume Center
representatives may be part of this group.

&RQWLQXHGRQSDJH
Glad Tidings

August, 2011

The Newsletter of Central St. Matthew UCC
Students from a Seattle area
church install new flooring
in 329 North Tonti.






Plans reported to the Steering Committee by sub-committees will be brought to
the Governing Council for final approval. In some cases, the Governing Council may
bring motions before the congregation for a vote. At all steps and phases, the Steering
Committee will make efforts to solicit and receive input and feedback from the
congregation. We are committed to having an open, transparent, and well-
communicated process. Updates will be provided in monthly newsletters and
occasional information sessions after worship.

To that end, here are some updates and informational points on the work thus far:

While the bulk of the work is needed over at Bienville, we will also address deferred
maintenance and improvements to the Carrollton campus. Interior and exterior painting, chapel
configuration and usage, and sanctuary audio-visual improvements will also be considered by
the Property sub-committee.
Work on 329 North Tonti began some time ago, and is nearing completion. Volunteer groups
coordinated through PNOLA are doing the finish work, which should be completed in
September.
The former office building (2415/2417 Bienville) is getting a new roof and structural support
improvements. The back half of the single home (2429 Bienville) had collapsed, and has since
been demolished (back half only) and boarded up to prevent entry.
Through the national United Church of Christ Disaster Recovery office, we have been granted a
total of $125,000 to begin work on the Central sanctuary complex. In order to begin building, we
must first approve architectural and mechanical plans, get permits, and clear the plans with the
city and state fire marshals. All of this will cost around $25,000, which will be covered by this
grant. The $100,000 grant is restricted to the sanctuary complex itself, comprising the worship
space, offices, lobby/restrooms, and second floor fellowship hall. Pastor Chris will be sending
quarterly updates to the national Disaster Recovery office to communicate our progress.
A meeting to review an early draft of the blueprints for the former Central sanctuary and
fellowship hall was held on June 29 at the Hume Center. From this point forward, the Property
Sub-Committee will review and revise building plans.













Page 2 of 8

Rebuilding & Renewing, Continued.
Roof replacement
and structural
reinforcement has
begun on 2415 &
2417 Bienville Ave.
This work was
necessary to avoid
fines from the city.






Central St. Matthew was well represented at the United Church of Christ 28
th

General Synod in Tampa, FL! General Synod is the biannual gathering of delegates,
visitors, and honored guests from all settings of the United Church of Christ (UCC)
throughout the world. Over 3,000 people came together for a time of worship,
fellowship, education, and business, discerning our common life as members of the
UCC.
This year, resolutions (proposals up for vote) included statements and action on
supporting same-gender couples right to adoption, advocacy against violence toward
Muslims, mutual recognition of baptism with the Catholic Church, and supporting
affordable health care. Details and results can be found at ucc.org/synod.
As a part of the General Synod, Central St. Matthew was honored on Saturday
evenIng for our wInnIng "magIne What's PossIble" essay. To read the full text of the
submitted essays, please read the July issue of our newsletter. Along with five other
congregations, we were given a beautiful parament (banner) to display in the
sanctuary.
CSM participants also attended dozens of workshops on topics such as
congregational vitality, open and affirming, financial stewardship, worship renewal,
and personal health. We brought back quite a haul of pamphlets, books, and
knickknacks that we will continue to make available during our Fellowship time after
worship.
During the closing session of Synod, our own Mrs. Dale Bonds was elected and
installed as an Assistant Moderator for the 29
th
General Synod to be held in Long
Beach, CA in June 2013. In this role, Mrs. Bonds will become a delegate to the
Executive Council, the governing body in the national setting that acts as the General
Synod ad interim. Mrs. Bonds will also share responsibility for leading the business
sessions of General Synod 29 along with the Moderator and a second Assistant
|oderator. Let's support 0ale wIth our prayers and presence over the next two years!
If you get the chance to attend a General Synod, do it! You will have the
opportunity to witness the broad spectrum of humanity that is represented across the
United Church of Christ. You will learn much, do much, and come away with much. It
is truly a blessing to be part of such a wonderful denomination!












Page 3 of 8
Central St. Matthew @ UCC General Synod
Mrs. Dale Bonds is installed as Assistant
Moderator of the 29
th
General Synod with Rev.
Libby Tigner as Moderator and Judge Brian
Holeman as fellow Assistant Moderator.
Marie Weatherspoon, and Preston Fuller hold
the 'Imagine Whats Possible` banner.
Dale & Jim
Bonds, Chris
Mereschuk,
Andrea
Gibson, Joan
Fairbank,
Sloan Letman,

















Vital Signs
Page 4 of 8
Prayer List
Please continue to pray for:

-Gary and Karen Arndt -Lavera Kelly
-Dorothea Boldt -Amy Miller
-Kyle Carter -Curry Miller
-Louis Carambat -Catherine Reigert
-Melvin Chaix -Verna Sileci
-Ethel Creel -Peter Saunders
-Nellie Crump -Ernest & Mathilde Smith
-Michael Englebracht -Dan Zidaru
-Eddie Gebhardt
-Mary Graves
-Cristi Grigoras (brother of Aurelia Zidaru)


The families of Ingrid Schleh, Joseph Beslin, Jamie Adams, Warren Green,
Wilfred J. Lodrig, Sr., Julia Pantermuehl, and Winnie Schumacher, Brian
Resor, and George Joseph Miller and Monica Shay.





Financial Update: We were blessed to end the 2010 year with a slight surplus. The budget for
the year 2011 is approximately $280,824 and therefore calls for us to collect an average of
$23,402 per month to meet our expense and outreach obligations.
As of the end of July, this would amount to about $163,814. Between our tithes, offerings and
rental income, we have received approximately $160,570 for the seven months ending July 2011.
Thank you for your generous gIfts, tIthes and offerIngs In support of our church's mInIstry and
outreach. By the way, please make all checks payable to Central St. Matthew UCC. Credit for
cash donations will be given when money is in an envelope, identified, and designated. Envelopes
are provided on the Welcome Table and/or from the ushers.
If you have any questions, please see Carol or Dale.

Neighborhood Meetings are Beginning
What are they? Social gatherings for the congregation organized by zip codes.
What is their purpose? One is to fellowship with your church neighbors in a warm and
comfortable setting. Another is to give Rev. Chris and his wife, Lila, a sense of what sections of
the city the members live. Also, they can get acquainted with folks faster than scheduling home
visits for several months or chatting on Sunday mornings.
Will these events be structured? No. they are simply social gatherings. There will be a brief
time for Rev. Chris to speak about the future and for you to share hopes and dreams if you wish.
:KDW LI , FDQW PDNH WKH PHHWLQJ VFKHGXOHG IRU P\ QHLJKERUKRRG" Please contact the
host/hostess of another group. The schedule is on page 7.
If I have a friend who is interested in our church, would it be appropriate to invite him or her?
Yes. What a wonderful opportunity for your friend to experience the warmth and vitality of our
members. It would be courteous to alert your host/hostess that you are planning to bring
someone.

















Page 5 of 8

For the FIock .

SE COND HARVEST F OOD BANK

The commodity for the month of August is Peanut Butter.

Please remember your donations on Sunday.

Central St. Matthew Sermons-to-Go!
Announcing the CSM Sermon Podcasts!
Listen to the Good News from Central St. Matthew UCC on your iPod, mp3 Player, or on your computer!
Announcing the launch of the CSM Sermon Podcast Series - - a new way to listen to and share words of
inspiration and meditation from our Sunday services.

What is a Podcast? Podcasts are Iree, downloadable audio recordings. New 'episodes will be published
('posted) weekly. Presently, we are Podcasting our sermons, but Iuture episodes could include special musical
selections, bible studies, or other events.

How Do I Listen? The Podcast episode can be downloaded to a portable mp3 player (such as an iPod), or you
can listen to it on your computer from the websites below.

Where can I find the CSM Podcast? To find our Podcasts, you can go to
http://centralstmatthewuccnola.podbean.com/ or listen on our website:
centralstmatthewucc.com.

II you use Apple`s iTunes music management program, open up the iTunes store and enter 'central st matthew
ucc in the search Iield. To download the iTunes program Ior Iree, visit: http://www.apple.com/itunes/. You can
then 'subscribe to our Podcast, and new episodes will be downloaded automatically as they are posted!
Questions? Contact Chris Mereschuk for more information!



SAVE THE DATES

September 17 - Leadership Planning Meeting/Retreat
If you are on the Governing Council, Board of Trustees, Board of Deacons, a chair or co-chair of a
committee or a committee member, please mark your calendars for September 17th for a leadership
planning meeting. More details will come in September.
October 15th and 16th - This is the 2nd anniversary of Central St. Matthew and plans are in
the works for a big celebration. Be sure to keep this weekend open and be ready to celebrate!







Our Funds
Have you ever wondered where Central St. Matthew maintains its funds? Under the
supervIsIon of the 8oard of Trustees, the church's treasurers have establIshed a prImary
banking relationship with Fidelity Homestead Bank. At Fidelity, the church has a general
checking account, a savings account with a balance of approximately $100,000, and a small
checking account for the use of the pastor in meeting requests for assistance. The
Benevolence Account is under the supervision of the Board of Deacons. In addition, the church
has a $77,000 Certificate of Deposit with maturity in July 2012, through the Bank of New
Orleans.
Each legacy church continues to hold separate Endowment Funds through the United Church
of Christ Investment Board. The use of these funds continues to be governed by the guidelines
established by that church. The Endowment Funds are not shown on the financial statements
provided by the treasurers to the Boards and Governing Council each month.
If you have any questions, you may speak with Carol Etter or Dale Bonds, our co-treasurers.



St. |argaret's Home
3419 St. Claude Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70117


My darling Christian friends:

Only a few lines to let you hear from me. I am doing about as well as can be
expected and hope you and famIly are also doIng well and enjoyIng lIfe and Cod's
many blessIngs. Please tell the Church famIly hello for me. can't wrIte as would
like. My hands have been bad since 2006, stiff, swollen, numb and hurt therefore you
must forgive me.
This letter is written to thank you for the wonderful service you gave me on the
Sunday you were here. I will never forget it. You must forgive me for being belated.
I am about as well as I was when you last saw me. I have some ways to go but am
feeling alright. Thank you for all your prayers, please keep them coming. The church
we had here was so uplifting I shall not forget it.

In Christian love,
Lavera B. Kelly
Page 6 of 8

For the Flock .





Hi all,
Great to see so many people still putting major thoughts into making Carrollton an even more
amazing place. In reference to Palmer Park... If there is any doubt that Palmer is NOT being
used by pedestrians or is only a place for drug dealings/muggings, well then, I invite you to
take another look. Palmer just underwent a MAJOR face-lift and is being used by even more
Carrollton residents now than ever before. The "Friends of Palmer Park" organization in
conjunction with Disney Corporation, The Points of Light Institute, the Dept of Parks and
Parkways and KaBoom! as well as over 350 neighbors/neighborhood organizations/local
churches and businesses, completed, in two days, the renovation of the Grand arch (doors
being custom made and are soon to come), the complete repair and renovation of the flag
pole which now flies the USA, LA and New Orleans flags, over $5,000 in new Landscaping
(more to come in the fall), 4 new doggie waste stations, the complete repair and painting of
all 92 wood bollards surrounding the park, 2 new wooden checker board tables, 5 new
beautiful glass sidewalk mosaics, 4 new trash/recycling stations, 2 new directional sign posts
(both designed and painted by the children of Carrollton), new sidewalk hopscotch games and
a custom made ADA accessible path leading to... last but not least... a beautiful (Carrollton
children designed), unbelievable, new Playground complete with swings! In addition, there
will be 17 benches installed in the park very shortly as well as $15,000 worth of fill and hydro-
seed and a $20,000 lighting repair project coming in the next few months (being led by
Nagendra on behalf of FOPP).
It's not the same 'ol Palmer anymore folks! Please drop by and enjoy your new park and as
always FOPP is always interested in new ideas that will enhance this amazing focal point of
Carrollton. Feel free to contact us with any questions and if you are a Facebooker you can
visit us at our "Friends of Palmer Park" Facebook page. There are tons of photos from the
renovation to enjoy.

All my best,
Anne Fuselier THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS!



CSM NEIGHBORHOOD MEETINGS

Metairie/Jefferson Sunday, August 7 Gil & Leslie Wilson 885-2684

70118 Sunday, August 21 John & Carol Etter 862-0684

70117, 70122 Sunday, August 28 |Ichele 0'AquIn E 7IckI 621-8954
Weeks

Westbank Sunday, Sept. 11 Rodney & Karen Plummer 344-7288

TO BE SCHEDULED:
RIVER RIDGE and NEW ORLEANS EAST
Page 7 of 8
For the FIock cont'd .










































Mailing Address:
1333 S. Carrollton Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70118
Phone:
(504) 861-8196
Fax:
(504) 861-8197
E-Mail:
office@centralstmatthewucc.com

Church Office Manager:
Ms. Lisa McKnight


Office Hours:

Tuesday - Friday
9 am to 2 pm

Pastor:
Rev. Christopher Mereschuk
pastor@centralstmatthewucc.com


tt
See us at:
www.centralstmatthewucc.org
and on
Facebook
Central St. Matthew UCC
Page 8 of 8




CENTRAL ST. MATTHEW UCC
1333 S. Carrollton Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70118

CALENDAR