In 2006, preliminary considerations began for a future building at Benson Memorial UMC. This was a broad investigation which began forming a future vision. In May 2008, the current building committee was formed to make this vision a reality. Since this time, the committee has been planning and visiting other churches to gain ideas for Benson. This future building is for God’s Mission at Benson and YOU are a vital part of the mission. Your thoughts and ideas will help create Benson’s future. The Committee’s Purpose Statement, Guiding Principles, and Members are shared with you on this page of the Benson website. The website is one way the Committee will keep you up to date on the building progress. The committee wants to hear from you. Feel free to contact the committee to share your thoughts You may e-mail the committee at bensonsfuture@gmail.com.

PURPOSE: Building for God’s Mission Meaning. IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BUILDING. IT’S ABOUT GOD’S MISSION. Guiding Principles:

• Focus on God’s Mission and purpose for Benson Memorial.
• Contribution by all Members- Seeking input from all of you.
• Open and Transparent- Information on the entire process is readily available to every member of the congregation.

The Building Committee is pleased to announce Hagar Smith Design, PA has been selected as the Architect team for the preliminary design of the proposed building. Many of you have already met the Hagar Smith team during multiple meetings held during January and February 2010. Prior to these meetings, Hagar Smith met with the building committee to put together a Basis of Design for the new building. This information will be used to begin developing a schematic plan. In addition, you were asked to complete a Congregational Survey. The results of this survey are included HERE for your convenience.

SUBCOMMITEES:

• Visitation: Visiting other churches to get ideas for our building. Click HERE to see other churches the committee has visited.
• Finance: Determining the feasibility of the building financially.
• Scheduling: Setting a timeline to keep the tasks of the building on schedule.
• Fundraising: Future Subcommittee.
• Steering: Facilitating the overall process to ensure the purpose and guiding principles of the committee are met.
• Conceptual Planning/Footprint: Envisioning the future campus expansion.

FEEDBACK: The new facility can fill many needs for the accomplishment of God’s mission by Benson Memorial such as:

• A Fellowship Hall and Kitchen for church meals and receptions.
• Increased recreational opportunities such as: basketball, volleyball, exercise classes, additional classrooms, living space and showers for WIHN, venue for alternate worship services, expansion of administrative office facilities.
• The possibilities are endless. What are your ideas? Share them with us! Send an e-mail to bensonsfuture@gmail.com