Q: How long will the renovation last and what will happen to our worship during this time?

Answer:
As the New Year 2009 began, renovation of the Nave, Narthex and Chapel was expected to be complete by late February. Although permitting requirements delayed the start of these significant repair and enhancement activities over the summer of 2008, progress has been rapid and impressive. With a short delay, we expect to complete a liturgy of transition back into these spaces and to rededicate them by March 22, 2009.

Our Worship Committee and the new Audio Visual Support Team has done a marvelous job of adapting our worship to the temporary spaces in the Parish Hall and Multi-purpose Room. Some adjustments will be required to take full advantage of the newly enhanced original spaces, but getting comfortable with the new lighting, acoustics, choir location and other aspects of the enhanced layout will be a task that we can anticipate with great relish. The final renovation item will be installation of the refurbished pipe organ. This event is expected in mid-summer. 

Q: Where will flowers in the nave be placed under the new plan?

Answer:
The details of this and other aspects of the nave redesign have not been worked out as yet. Please understand that these drawings are conceptual. Much more definition will be required before architectural drawings are ready for the bid process.

Q: How long would we be unable to use the nave for worship? Will we worship in the Parish Hall?

Q: Will the organ be refurbished at St. Andrew’s?

Answer:
No, it will be transported to New York and to Pennsylvania for the required refurbishments.

Q: What is the timeline for the organ project?

Answer:
It will be removed from St. John’s, Norwood Parish by the end of June 2007. It will then be transported to the two different venues for cleaning and restoration and should be refurbished to our standards by the Summer of 2008. It will remain in storage until it can be installed at St. Andrew’s.

Q: What is the approximate cost for the organ refurbishment?

Answer:
The bid is expected to be $300,000 for removal, restoration and installation. Including a contingency fee for cost override of approximately $42,000 the cost could go as high as $340,000. The organ builders have said that once the restoration is completed, it will sound like a brand new instrument that was specifically designed for our space. The instrument will not need major work for approximately 50 years when the organ leathers might need attention. The pipe organ is not only a better instrument qualitatively speaking, but also a better investment requiring only modest maintenance on an annual basis-- underscoring the benefit of a pipe organ vs. a digital organ.

Q: Where will the organ pipes be located?

Answer:
That may well happen. We may have some overlap between completion of this three-year campaign and next steps with the property development. We anticipate that conceptualizing, designing, and developing the property will most likely take 4-5 years or longer.

Q: Are we moving full-steam ahead on the purchase of this property? I really think we should!

Answer:
Definitely, yes. The property owner has indicated they are positioned to sell at this time. They want to move to Leesburg to be closer to children. As soon as Mr. X recovers from his recent knee surgery, we anticipate hearing from him about next steps. The owner really likes us, and they want to sell to us---we just need to come to terms on a fair price. Serious negotiations have started. It is providential timing for both St. Andrew’s and the owner.

Q: Is there any known competition for the property?