In the final days of 2011 and as we anticipate 2012, we can begin to see some of the finishing touches being applied to our project.  Our electrical service was updated to accommodate our enlarged kitchen. 

While still six weeks or so from completion, the project is beginning to wind down with the near-completion of several items.    As a result, the possibilities for ministry are coming into focus as we visualize how the finished product will look.   

One of the benefits of our project has been the chance to upgrade things that have needed attention.  One of these things was the lack of leg room in the balcony.

Progress continued to be made as we moved toward the inspection of the plumbing and electrical work prior to the installation of sheetrock.  It is fun to see the "new" building take shape.  There is something new to see every week, if not every day. 

While my personal experience with building projects is limited, I have certainly talked to plenty of people who have undertaken the challenge of building or remodeling a house.  One of the things they have told me is that there are always surprises along the way, things you did not anticipate and must address. 

Things felt a bit more normal at the end of the week of October 17-21 when the "back stairs" (the ones near the church office and across the alley from the large parking lot) were finished and declared ready to use (see photo).  While the old handrails were reinstalled temporarily so that the stairs could be usable, it made much easier to enter the building.  It no longer required a road map (or GPS unit) to navigate the corridors and hallways of the basement to get upstairs to the sanctuary and offices.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011 - Marilyn and I used Skype last Sunday to talk to our one-year-old granddaughter Abby and her parents in Maryland.  Abby had "studied" the story of Joshua and the battle of Jericho in Sunday School that morning.  As part of the lesson, the children made a paper "trumpet" that they "tooted" while they marched around to illustrate the story.  Abby, who is in the early stages of language development, demonstrated her trumpet for us quite skillfully and was declared the best "tooter" in the class.  It took a day or so to reach Port Angeles but we had our own re-enactment of the story.  It may not have been quite Joshua and the walls of Jericho (or even Abby and her classmates) and the wall didn’t come a-tumbling down but the wall was definitely removed.

Those of you who live in Port Angeles know that the construction is proceeding more quickly than my writing so this posting is my effort to catch up so that a weekly post can then document just the latest developments.  If I do not catch up, we might be starting our next project before you realize that this one is completed.

September 12, 2011- Removal of East Windows in Sanctuary – The planning of any construction project requires difficult decisions to be made when there are two good alternatives and you can only choose one.  That was the case for us regarding the expansion of the Fellowship Hall and its impact on the sanctuary, particularly the two windows on the sanctuary's east side.

Early September – Getting Ready – While waiting for the final loan approval, there was work to be done by members of our congregation to get ready for construction to begin.   While there were a number of people involved, a few deserve recognition. 

Construction began in earnest on Tuesday, September 13^th, when work began in three key areas – the Fellowship Hall, the kitchen, and the ramp.  Flowers were dug up, sidewalks were demolished, and bricks were removed.

September 4, 2011  - Ground-breaking – On the Sunday of Labor Day weekend, a ceremonial ground-breaking was held between services to commemorate the start of what is the most extensive building project in the Church’s 97-year history.

April 6, 2011

Dear Members and Friends of First Presbyterian Church,

What an exciting time for the First Presbyterian Church of Port Angeles! God is on the move creating a spirit of service and generosity that is fun to see and experience. Fifty of us have volunteered to do a variety of things at a local elementary school.