A very positive part of the project is that the city of New Brunswick has begun repairing the faces and hands of the “Town Clock.”

As we step into the new year, two special events are on the January calendar. First, on Jan 19th, the Board of City Market, the association of businesses and organizations that advocates for New Brunswick and works for improvements, will have their monthly meeting at First Reformed Church. As a member of the board, Pastor Hartmut has been invited to present the preservation project to the group. Sherri Novack has given him technical help with the PowerPoint presentation, and the whole Fund-raising Committee will prepare breakfast.

At the coffee hour on Jan 23rd, we as a congregation will say “thank-you” to a group of individuals who have helped the church substantially the last few years with everything from legal assistance to advice about fund-raising. We hope that many will be on hand to recognize these folks for their gifts of time, enthusiasm, and expertise.

Throughout the year, a mixed group of graduate and undergraduate had worked on this Preservation Plan.

You might remember that 75% of the corresponding Preservation Plan for our buildings was funded with $50,000 planning grant from the NJ Historic Trust. This gives you an idea how expensive these kinds of plans are – even if the Preservation Plan for our cemetery is substantially shorter. Now the students presented their findings to a public audience in a very involved PowerPoint presentation. They started by delineating the existing conditions of the cemetery. The results were compiled in a digital database, easy to store, expand and share with others in years to come. It includes pictures of our grave stones – an irreplaceable documentation of the current status quo.

Following this, the plan entailed treatment recommendations, beginning with a chart of priorities and concluding with a cost estimate for restoration. Finally, there were the treatment reports. Again, at no cost to the church, the students had cleaned 46 grave markers with an architectural antimicrobial. They had also repaired two grave markers that had broken apart.

It was an evening of interesting speeches, much appreciation for our history, and a good fruit punch in the end. A great thank-you goes to Erie Beemsterboer who presented Christine Miller Cruiess with one of her beautiful handmade quilts. We also thank Ethel Salamone, Joan Fekete and Pastor Susan for the wonderful reception afterwards.

The Easement requires a corresponding resolution from Classis before it can be recorded with the County. This recording is the presupposition for the NJ Historic Trust to release the first part of our preservation grant to us. The Easement has a duration of 20 years, beginning in 2014.The Easement has some implications for our day-to-day life. Upon completion of our project, we have to file an annual Easement Report. In it, we will give account of all maintenance work of the preceding year. The report will also entail a minimum of twelve photographs, as well as evidence that our buildings and property were sufficiently open to the public during that year.

Another implication of the Easement is that, from now on, we need to inform the NJ Historic Trust before we do repair work or significantly alter the landscaping around the church (for example, by taking down trees). Changes to the buildings will need written approval from the Trust.

Aside from the preservation project, there is no further news on other grants. Our grant request for remediation work in connection with our former oil tank is still waiting for approval from the agency in charge. In April, we filed several additional reports and we hope that something will soon move in this regard. It would enable us to complete the remediation efforts and to replace the temporary sidewalk.

With this in mind, on Rally Sunday we will get a chance to start up the new Fall season and the return of regular programming of our church. With the start, we will celebrate newly painted pews, new upholstery on the chancel furniture, and even a new Communion set on the Communion Table. That’s a lot of new-ness! And to add to our celebration and new things list, over the summer we were informed by letter from the Acting Commissioner, Charles A. Richman that Governor Corzine signed into legislation funding for NJ Historic Trust, which includes our state grant for the historic preservation project.

This may sound a bit surprising and scary in these economic times, especially since the grant is a matching one. However, may we continue to remind ourselves of several things: First, that we have four years for this project and the fund-raising; second; we are free to limit our 2010 preservation efforts to a very conservative scope. With that said, it is clear that, at this time, we want and need to address the steeple and the church roof, the beam in the church attic, as well as the soffit of the education building.

As you can imagine, there are still many things on our buildings that will need to be worked on. Let me just mention the worst problem, which is the structural situation beneath our sanctuary floor. These must do building issues seem overwhelming, though. Inevitably, when we look at the big picture, they appear to be impossible. And so we loose hope. But, as my grandmother used to say, “To eat a whole cake, you have to take one bite at a time.” I think that it is the same for our building needs.

How can I respond so hopeful? Well, let me just remind our doubtful minds of how our pew painting project went this summer. At first, it was awful. We started out sanding lightly, then washing it down, then spot-painting it with primer. And, wow, after two weeks it appeared to be done. Then, we noticed that the paint was pealing. OH NO!!! So we had to start all over again, only this time we did it more thoroughly.

Several of us thought that we were doomed, and it would never be finished. “Impossible!” they claimed. Yet, YOU ALL responded to the call for help. In total, there were 13 church members who helped Julius Fekete accomplish the impossible, not counting the numerous helping hands that brought lunches and other support. Yes, we did it together. One day, it was two other volunteers. Another day it was a whole family. A little bit at a time. And now, it is finished.

It is our calling to remain hope filled even in the midst of uncertainty. Likewise, with the grant monies and our fund-raising efforts for our buildings: we have to do it one step at a time – together.

Hopefully yours,
Pastor Susan