BUILDING PROJECT STATUS:

We are expanding! The decision was easy in that our Sr. High youth group was running out of space in the North House where they currently meet. Packing in 25 teens plus youth leaders was becoming a challenge. When the old Hamlet Coop Weigh Station became available, we saw the opportunity for a much need ministry and activity center. The importance of and care for youth in a rural community can not be overstated. The population of our area is very small. There is not much to offer youth socially outside of public school without driving a distance to the nearest town of any size. It is our experience that in the absence of opportunities for social interaction that many youth will seek alternatives that are not always beneficial or appropriate. Our desire is to offer a safe place for youth that meets social needs while offering instruction and mentorship in their formative years that will help them succeed in later in life. To that end, this building would not simply house a weekly meeting of youth, but become a gathering place throughout the week. While the need for a larger facility to house our growing youth ministry was the primary catalyst for the purchase of this property, we envision that the use of this facility will go beyond youth. HUC has several other activities and ministries that could benefit from expanded facilities. These activities and ministries include: Sunday School, Bible study groups, instructional seminars, counseling, dinners and more. Finally, we want to offer back to the village of Hamlet a place that will strengthen it residents and bolster its image. Rural communities like ours are in decline and in some cases ceasing to exist. The greatest visual evidence of this is deteriorating houses and buildings that were once home to families and businesses. More than just vacant and empty of life, these structures are collapsing through disuse. We want to reverse this trend, albeit in a small way, and take a building that is still valuable and structurally sound and restore it back to usefulness while giving our community an attractive facelift, restoring a sense of pride and a measure of life to those who live here. Check back here for updates on the progress of the renovation.

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February Update

We are now on the home stretch and are just a matter of weeks away from completing our renovation of the old Hamlet Coop building. The transformation has been remarkable! Kitchen cabinets have been installed. Interior doors have been hung. Wood trim has been added to give a finished look.

Over the next month you can expect that siding and soffits will be completed. Steps will be built for the three entrances on the west and north with a ramp being constructed for the main entrance on the south. Carpeting has been ordered and will be laid in the north and south rooms as well as the connecting hallway.

Work days will be scheduled for the first two Saturdays of this month. We invite you to come and help with such things as sanding and painting door jams, filling nail holes in the woodwork, washing windows and general cleaning. If necessary, we will schedule additional Saturdays to complete any other tasks.

Presently The Way Station is without water, but the Building Team is addressing how best to supply water to the building. The addition of appliances, chairs, tables and signage are also being pursued.

If you have not personally viewed the progress, we invite you to stop by Sunday after church to take a look around inside The Way Station. The building will be open so that you can enter at your convenience.

                   

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January Update

We can see the light at the end of the tunnel! Much has been accomplished including the laying of tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms, the installation of lights and the staining and varnishing of woodwork. Most recently we had seven girls from the W/P School National Honor Society join with us as we painted the interior of the building. Since the start of the project and through December of 2009, we have had 88 persons contribute 1431 labor hours to the renovation. Thanks to all who have given of their time and abilities!

Some remaining projects include installation of interior doors, cabinets & countertops, carpeting, finishing the remaining siding & soffits, supplying the building with water from the church well and other miscellaneous things. We anticipate much of this being done in January.

Work days continue to be scheduled each Saturday morning. Come as you are able and bring whatever tools you will need. Bring a lunch if you plan to work through the day. For more information, talk with a member of the Building Committee or with Pastor Kevin.

Finally, to bring this project to completion requires financial support. We are so very grateful that through November of 2009, a total of $34, 011 has been received into the Building Fund. Thank you for your generosity in support of this project! We have estimated that the total cost of the renovation will be $85,000. If you would like to contribute to this project, make your check out to HUC, clearly mark it for The Way Station and place it in the Sunday offering. Oh behalf of the many who will soon use this building for the ministry of the Kingdom, we thank you!

“Moses summoned (them) along with all whom God had gifted with the ability to work skillfully with their hands. The men were eager to get started and engage in the work.” (Exodus 36:2 – The Message)

                   

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December Update

Huge strides were taken in our building project in the last month as several of our HUC folks teamed up with sixteen men from New Life Assembly in Kearney. These brothers in Christ gave of their time and abilities over two full days as they sheetrocked the entire interior of the ministry building. They also helped get us a long way on the installation of the siding! What a blessing to receive their gift of labor as well as to be encouraged by their heart for ministry and love for Christ!

Theirs was not the only contribution of labor offered in November. Kent McMinn of Hamlet graciously has given his time as well to completely finish the drywall including taping, mudding and texturing. A big thank you to Kent for serving in this extraordinary way!

All of this means that through November of 2009, a total of 79 different persons have contributed 1,300 hours on the renovation of The Way Station. Children, Youth, Young Adults and Seniors have all come together to make this vision a reality. What we have seen is the Body of Christ working together as it was meant to be.

                             

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November Update

The transformation of our new ministry center is becoming more noticeable. A new roof, building wrap and front canopy will do that! Many labor hours continue to be donated. In fact, as of October 25, fifty-three different HUC people have logged a total of 832 hours! Thank you for all your hard work!

On November 13-14 (Friday-Saturday), a rather significant project will be undertaken by a team of 15 men from New Life Assembly in Kearney. These brothers in Christ will be giving of themselves to sheetrock the interior of the building. We are calling upon our own folks to join them on these days and labor outside by putting up new siding. Come as you are able. Lunch will be provided. Talk to a Building Team member for more information.

As part of two day project with New Life Assembly, we will be hosting a potluck dinner on Friday night at 7 p.m. followed by a Praise Service. We will join together for fellowship and a time of thanksgiving to the Lord for what He has accomplished in our lives and through this project.

Yes, we have a new name for our ministry center. It will no longer be referred to as the “old Hamlet Coop.” The vast majority of our congregation cast their ballot for “The Way Station.” We pray that that this building would indeed point the way to Jesus Christ and bring honor and glory to Him!

                   

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October Update

Our new ministry center has experienced a very noticeable transformation in the past month as many volunteers have given of their time in the building’s renovation. Framing is nearly complete with a ramp being built inside to connect the north and south rooms. A new canopy was constructed to cover the front entrance. All exterior doors and windows have been installed. A steel support beam was placed in the south room on September 5. It took nineteen men, one young lady and a forklift to accomplish the task. On September 19, a total of twenty-four youth and adults climbed onto the building and tore off the old roof, and started placing down a new one.

All of this work has been no small accomplishment. We have been tracking the number of labor hours contributed by HUC folks and the total through September 19 is 705. We have had 52 different persons, young and old alike, working side by side, each offering their abilities.

Additionally, contractors have been at work. Plumbing has been roughed in and a septic system installed. Electricians have wired the building. A furnace, heat pump and ductwork have been installed.

One significant project that is being discussed by the Building Team is supplying the building with water either via the well that presently supplies the church or by the digging of a new well on location. This team, composed of seven persons from the congregation, is also discussing other design decisions such as flooring, lighting and exterior finishes.

The question that remains is what shall we name this building that will become a vital part of our church’s ministry? Well over a hundred suggestions were submitted by the people of HUC, each name being considered by the Building Team. After discussion and prayer, the team has pared down the offerings to what they believe are the best three.

1) The Way Station
2) Harvest Center
3) H.U.T.C.H.

These names and their meanings can be seen in the October edition of The Grapevine, available for download on this website. On Sunday, October 4, ballots will be distributed in order that you might vote for your favorite. Everyone, including children, will be given the opportunity to make their choice.

                   

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September Update

Since then three more work days were scheduled as many more of our HUC folk teamed up to begin framing out bathrooms and a kitchen, constructing a new floor for these same rooms, and installing a new support beam in what will be the north room.

The question has arisen, “What shall we call this building?” We do not want to simply call it the Hamlet Coop. We also do not want to refer to it as the Youth Center. While this building will serve our youth, it will also house any number of other ministries and community activities. A suggestion box has been placed in the church foyer for you to place your creative and colorful ideas. In the coming weeks we will select the best names and offer them back to you for your consideration.

As we continue to pursue this building project, the Board of Trustees will be appointing a Building Team to oversee and direct the ongoing work. This team will also regularly report the progress of the project as well as be available to receive suggestions and answer questions. This team will be presented to the congregation shortly. Please, pray for them as they take up this important role.

Finally, pray that the Lord who has opened up this door of opportunity will also grant to us the resources necessary to complete this building project. At the July meeting of the HUC Board of Trustees, a building fund was established, with a fund balance of $24,321.25. The estimated cost of the renovation including donated labor is $76,000 plus whatever furniture and equipment will be needed to make the facility totally functional. As you consider this need, keep in mind that this is really not so much a building project as it is an investment in the Kingdom and in the eternal lives of those who will be impacted by the ministry that this building will house.

We are pleased to announce the formation of a Building Team that will give oversight and direct the continuing work of renovating the old coop building.  The Board of Trustees has appointed Mike Bley, Josie Lytle, Alec McKillip, Cindy McKillip, Jean Wach, Larissa Wach & Marty Wheeler.  Pastor Kevin will serve as a consultant to the team.  Some of the responsibilities of this team include scheduling work days, speaking with contractors, design decisions and communication to the congregation.  Please be in prayer for this team!

As of Aug. 22, the people of HUC have contributed over 500 total hours of physical labor in the renovation of our new ministry building!  Thanks to all who have given of their abilities to bring this project along.  Your sweat is paying wonderful dividends as the old Coop building is transformed into a facility that will reflect the grace and love of our Lord.  Let's keep at the task!

Nearly 100 suggestions were given for the naming of our new ministry building. Thank you for your creativity! The Building Team is reviewing every submission and later this month will offer the best three back to the congregation for voting.

We continue to schedule every Saturday as a work day on the new ministry building. Come as you are available.  Bring whatever tools you might find helpful and useful such as a tape measure, hammer, skil saw, ladder, etc.  For more information, talk to a Building Team member.

                   

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August Update

With the purchase of the old Hamlet Coop building finally complete, the work of renovation quickly began and is going full steam ahead. The first step in rehabilitating the building was demolition and clean up of the interior, removal of windows and doors, and the tearing off of exterior siding. Ten full truck loads of debris were hauled away when all was said and done. Thirty five people (youth and adults) formed the work crew on day one of this project.

Since then three more work days were scheduled as many more of our HUC folk teamed up to begin framing out bathrooms and a kitchen, constructing a new floor for these same rooms, and installing a new support beam in what will be the north room.

We praise the Lord for His provision of this property! As our Sr. High youth group concluded its season of ministry this spring, it was not unusual to see twenty-five teens plus six adult leaders cram into the north house on Wednesday nights. Additionally, with several other ministries competing for space, we had come face to face with the clear realization that we had reached a point in our ministry where expansion was necessary.

The vision for this building is to use it as a center for ministry to our community…a place that will introduce people to Jesus Christ, disciple them as they walk with the Savior and honor His Name above all. To that end we are committed.

The question has arisen, “What shall we call this building?” We do not want to simply call it the Hamlet Coop.  We also do not want to refer to it as the Youth Center.  While this building will serve our youth, it will also house any number of other ministries and community activities.  A suggestion box has been placed in the church foyer for you to place your creative and colorful ideas. In the coming weeks we will select the best names and offer them back to you for your consideration.

As we continue to pursue this building project, the Board of Trustees will be appointing a Building Team to oversee and direct the ongoing work. This team will also regularly report the progress of the project as well as be available to receive suggestions and answer questions. This team will be presented to the congregation shortly. Please, pray for them as they take up this important role.

Finally, pray that the Lord who has opened up this door of opportunity will also grant to us the resources necessary to complete this building project. At the July meeting of the HUC Board of Trustees, a building fund was established, with a fund balance of $24,321.25. The estimated cost of the renovation including donated labor is $76,000 plus whatever furniture and equipment will be needed to make the facility totally functional. As you consider this need, keep in mind that this is really not so much a building project as it is an investment in the Kingdom and in the eternal lives of those who will be impacted by the ministry that this building will house.