"A Place at the Table for Everyone"
From the moment God called a faithful few to start Messiah Lutheran Church 94 years ago, our congregation has faithfully worked to respond to God's call, spreading God’s word and working to ensure there was a place at the table for everyone. Today, Messiah is one of the fastest growing congregations in the Upstate New York Synod, and was recently nominated as one of just 50 congregations to participate in an ELCA innovative ministry initiative. The reason for our success can be found in one simple action - we are coming together, as we have for generations, seeking new ways to engage and assist others in our community.
There is no way that the founders of Messiah, gathering just 9 years after WWI and having survived a pandemic of their own, could have envisioned everything that this congregation would become. Yet, with confidence and in community, they boldly stepped forward into the future.
Now it’s our turn.
No matter the challenges of the day, God has always faithfully been present with the people of Messiah, constantly bringing new life to our ministry. If those who stepped forward in faith all those years ago could hear the echo of those faithful footsteps today, they would surely celebrate all that God has done, and know that God’s plan for Messiah Lutheran continues. Today, as we live out our mission of being a Spirit filled congregation grounded in Jesus Christ, nourishing our local community in body, mind and soul, we have so many reasons to rejoice!
In joining Trinity and Messiah we welcome each other as siblings in Christ and work together to increase the impact we can make on our wider community. Witness the outreach of our Bread of Life food pantry, which this year serves an average of almost three hundred meals each week. The food that nourishes those families’ tables, comes, in part, from our gardens at Messiah. It’s a ministry that will grow as we realize our dream of creating a community center at Trinity.
Our A Place at the Table for Everyone campaign is a bold and faithful step to remove the barriers in our building that prevent people from joining together at Christ’s table.
We invite you to prayerfully consider the ideas and goals of both the accessibility and annual fund aspects of the "A Place at the Table for Everyone" campaign below. On Reformation Sunday, October 31st, we will all have an opportunity to faithfully take our bold step into the future!
There is no way that the founders of Messiah, gathering just 9 years after WWI and having survived a pandemic of their own, could have envisioned everything that this congregation would become. Yet, with confidence and in community, they boldly stepped forward into the future.
Now it’s our turn.
No matter the challenges of the day, God has always faithfully been present with the people of Messiah, constantly bringing new life to our ministry. If those who stepped forward in faith all those years ago could hear the echo of those faithful footsteps today, they would surely celebrate all that God has done, and know that God’s plan for Messiah Lutheran continues. Today, as we live out our mission of being a Spirit filled congregation grounded in Jesus Christ, nourishing our local community in body, mind and soul, we have so many reasons to rejoice!
In joining Trinity and Messiah we welcome each other as siblings in Christ and work together to increase the impact we can make on our wider community. Witness the outreach of our Bread of Life food pantry, which this year serves an average of almost three hundred meals each week. The food that nourishes those families’ tables, comes, in part, from our gardens at Messiah. It’s a ministry that will grow as we realize our dream of creating a community center at Trinity.
Our A Place at the Table for Everyone campaign is a bold and faithful step to remove the barriers in our building that prevent people from joining together at Christ’s table.
We invite you to prayerfully consider the ideas and goals of both the accessibility and annual fund aspects of the "A Place at the Table for Everyone" campaign below. On Reformation Sunday, October 31st, we will all have an opportunity to faithfully take our bold step into the future!
ACCESSIBILITY GOAL: $570,000
"A Place at the Table for Everyone" is about ensuring that our building allows us to live out our core value of being welcoming and inviting, by ensuring that our building is accessible to all, visible to the community, and ready for the next 100 years of ministry. It is an investment into God’s activity in our lives and the lives of those we serve. This $570,000 effort to make everyone feel safe, supported, and welcomed will include:
RENOVATIONS FOR ACCESSIBILITY
Whether it’s a first-time visitor, or a long-time member whose mobility has lessened, Messiah wants to be sure that everyone can access our facility.
IMPROVING OUR WELCOME
IMPROVING OUR SPACE
RENOVATIONS FOR ACCESSIBILITY
Whether it’s a first-time visitor, or a long-time member whose mobility has lessened, Messiah wants to be sure that everyone can access our facility.
- Installing a lift: The lift will allow movement between floors for those whom the stairs are a barrier and open our fellowship hall for use again as a sacred space for study, special worship, and fellowship.
- Accessible Restrooms: Two accessible restrooms will be added on the main floor adjacent to the current narthex.
- Widened stairs: The widened stairs will allow for reduced congestion and direct access from the new entry.
IMPROVING OUR WELCOME
- New Entry and Portico: Facing Guilderland St. the new entry will make it abundantly clear to visitors where the entry is, and welcome them to the center of the building with easy access to the lift, stairs, narthex, and restrooms.
- New Exterior Cross: Strengthening our welcome and witness we will add a new cross to the existing chimney.
- Enlarged Narthex: The enlarged narthex will help build community and extend our welcome by providing a natural space for people to gather and get to know one another before and after worship.
- Courtyard landscape restoration and improvement.
IMPROVING OUR SPACE
- New Library/Adult Education Space: The new library located in the back corner of the expanded narthex will allow additional meeting and study space.
- Relocated Office: The office will relocate, immediately adjacent to the new entrance allowing guest to be welcomed upon arrival and improving building security.
- Crucially needed infrastructure: During the renovation we will address critical infrastructure such as a storm water basin & drains, parking lot improvements, site signage, exterior lighting, and utility work.
ANNUAL GOAL: $11,500 INCREASED SUPPORT
The A Place at the Table for Everyone Campaign is a request for special above and beyond giving designated to the improvement described. However, it only enhances the generosity we each show annually to the Christ’s ministry at Messiah. As we move faithfully into our 95th year of ministry our ministry plans for 2022, made possible by our regular giving, will prepare us to utilize the facilities renovations we have invested in, to their maximum impact:
EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CONNECT AND FEEL WELCOMED
Messiah’s ministry has greatly expanded in the last few years, with new faces mingling with ones that have been around for years. Intentionally building relationships and community will ensure that everyone has a place at the table:
SUPPORT AND BE A RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
People with mental health challenges have a place at the table! Messiah will bring a focus to this aspect of our shared ministry. Our initial thoughts on how to accomplish this include:
SUPPORT AND BE A RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION
People struggling with drug and alcohol addiction also have a place at the table! Our initial thoughts on how to accomplish this include:
EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHURCH AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO CONNECT AND FEEL WELCOMED
Messiah’s ministry has greatly expanded in the last few years, with new faces mingling with ones that have been around for years. Intentionally building relationships and community will ensure that everyone has a place at the table:
- Messiah will continue developing in-person activities and events to facilitate these relationships. Based on member/community feedback, Messiah will further focus on family events, youth events, and Bible Study groups.
- People also experience a place at the table as they serve alongside others. Messiah will actively create more opportunities for volunteers to utilize people’s gifts and build connections.
SUPPORT AND BE A RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES
People with mental health challenges have a place at the table! Messiah will bring a focus to this aspect of our shared ministry. Our initial thoughts on how to accomplish this include:
- Reaching out to local mental health agencies/organizations that support people struggling with mental health issues and learning how to get involved.
- Developing monthly newsletters to members with information related to mental health wellness.
- Hosting weekly mindfulness/relaxation activities such as a yoga class.
- Creating youth-based and adult support groups.
- Developing a brochure that provides information about mental illness and places to get help.
- Hosting a mental wellness health fair.
SUPPORT AND BE A RESOURCE FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION
People struggling with drug and alcohol addiction also have a place at the table! Our initial thoughts on how to accomplish this include:
- Reaching out to local agencies that treat/help people struggling with addiction and learning how to get involved.
- Sending monthly newsletters to members with information related to drug/alcohol addiction.
TESTIMONIALS
KEY DOCUMENTS