Renovation and Renewal Update
After insurance delays, materials delays, and technician delays, work is underway at the church building again. Space by space here is what is happening at the building right now, and what is upcoming.
**Update Sept 29**
Carpet installation has been completed throughout the building. This is a big step toward completing this project!
Classrooms
COJ classes are underway, making use of the classroom wing of the building. We are grateful for the flexibility of our staff, teachers, and families during this time of transition.
The classroom hallway and the open space in the middle of that wing have all been re-carpeted.
Worship Space
Thanks to generous donors, a new livestreaming system has been installed in the Worship Space, and has been in use the last few weeks. This new system will grow with us, and allows us to stay connected to our online community without causing a distraction to the in-person community.
At the same time as the livestream upgrade, we moved the sound and light systems to a digital system that will grow with us. This was also funded by a generous donor. The sound and light upgrades were able to leverage a minimal equipment investment to replace 20 year old technology.
The installation of the new luxury vinyl plank flooring has been completed in the Worship Space. This new flooring provides a more relaxing, worshipful feeling while still having the durability to be used as a play space for our Children of Joy students.
The carpet on the stage has been replaced. We are now waiting on baseboards in here and in the offices, so that we can start relocating the boxes and items that are stored in the Worship Space back to the places they belong.
Kitchen
Along with the Worship Space, the Kitchen has been updated with luxury vinyl plank.
The biggest delay in our renovations in the cabinet work. Supply line problems mean that we are still waiting on the final designs for the cabinets in the Kitchen, Workroom, and Conference Room.
Gathering Space
Carpeting for the Gathering Space, Hallways, and Offices has been installed.
The area we usually serve coffee and food, next to the kitchen, has vinyl plank to make cleanup easier.
In addition to the flooring, the Gathering Space is getting its own furniture. Replacing the 8 foot round tables and Worship chairs will be comfortable seating options, cafe tables, and a much more welcoming space for our Sunday mornings and for everyone who uses that space during the week.
Offices
The Office Space is where the greatest amount of damage occured.
The drywall has been replaced and refinished, and the offices have been repainted (the hallways, kitchen, and Gathering Space have also been repainted).
New lighting has been installed to replace the lights we lost in the flooding, and a new drop ceiling installed as well.
New furniture has been ordered for the Administration area, the COJ office, the Conference Room, and Pastor’s Office. The Conference Room tables and chairs (which are moveable) will arrive next week giving us furniture to begin working from. The rest will be arriving in a month or so.
Safety & Security
A new security system has been installed at the church, replacing the systems we used to have. These include a monitored intrusion alarm and security cameras. This system will allow us to protect not just the building, but more importantly the children and families who use our space.
The primary exterior doors have been failing mechanically for the last three years. While we have been able to make them work, replacing them now saves us from being in a crisis when they fail completely. These door have been ordered, and will be installed in the next couple of weeks. As with the security system, these new doors are a great improvement in the safety of our building. In addition, they give us the option down the road of making the building more handicap accessible by installing auto-openers for people in wheelchairs and those for whom the doors are too heavy.
Reminder: Worship is currently happening BOTH online and in-person.
You can RSVP to let us know that you are coming to worship on Sundays in person with us, or join us on Facebook for the livestream.
Many donors have contributed to this work, to help us create a space that is welcoming, productive, and worshipful. Thank you so very much!



