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The Invitation We've Always Offered — Now Made Real
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28
Emmanuel has always been a place of welcome. We say it in every service, we live it in every meal, every ministry, every open door.
But every summer, the heat has quietly worked against that welcome. Summer Sundays have been sweltering. Fellowship hours cut short. Programs that could run year-round haven't — simply because the heat made it impractical.
This campaign is how we change that, for good. This is not just a facilities upgrade. It is a physical expression of the invitation Jesus extends: Come. Be refreshed. Rest here a while.
And as a one-time capital campaign — entirely separate from our annual stewardship — it is a chance to invest in Emmanuel's home without touching the ministries your pledge supports.
Two Phases: One Story of Welcome
Phase 1 — Cool the Sanctuary ☀️
Air conditioning for our worship space, the heart of our common life. Work begins this summer, with completion anticipated before the heat of July.
Cost: $41,000 — vestry approved, contractor selected
Phase 2 — Grow the Welcome 🌿
Air conditioning for additional gathering spaces — beginning with the parish hall and potentially including the choir room and other areas. Scope to be finalized as Phase 1 is completed. Our aspiration is 2027, and every dollar raised above Phase 1 brings us closer.
Estimated cost: ~$40,000
Total vision: ~$81,000
Watch the Thermometer
Thanks to the quiet generosity of several Emmanuel households and the church's own commitment of $20,500, we enter this campaign with $35,768 already secured — 87% of Phase 1 funded before we even asked the parish.
Your gift helps us close the gap and seeds Phase 2 for 2027.
Phase 1 goal: $41,000 — $35,768 secured
Remaining: ~$5,232
Your Gift Cools Things Down
Every contribution — at any level — moves the thermometer and makes Emmanuel more welcoming for everyone.
💧 A Cool Drink of Water — $250
🌿 Shade and Rest — $500
💨 Refreshing Wind — $1,000
🏞 Still Waters — $2,500
✨ Be Refreshed — $5,000
🏛 Cornerstone Gift — $10,000+
Gifts of any amount are warmly welcomed and gratefully received.
📄 Want to share this campaign?
Download our Be Refreshed brochure -
perfect for sharing with friends, family, and neighbors.
Questions? We have answers.
Does this affect my annual pledge? Not at all. This is a capital campaign — a one-time investment in our building — completely separate from annual stewardship. Your pledge supports our everyday ministry; this is something above and beyond.
When will the sanctuary be air conditioned? Phase 1 is planned for this summer. The vestry has reviewed bids, selected a contractor, and approved the project.
What about the parish hall and other spaces? That's Phase 2 — beginning with the parish hall and potentially other gathering spaces. Estimated at ~$40,000; scope to be finalized as Phase 1 completes. Our aspiration is 2027.
Why not just use the endowment or reserves? Emmanuel has the reserves to cover Phase 1, but a campaign invites the whole community to own this together, reduces the draw on capital funds, and builds real momentum toward Phase 2.
How will I know how the campaign is going? Watch the Reverse Thermometer — updated weekly right here on this page, and in the Sunday bulletin and newsletter all summer long.
Ready to Give?
Every degree counts. Every gift matters. Every dollar moves us closer to a cooler, more welcoming Emmanuel — for everyone who walks through our doors.
Questions?
Contact us at fundraising@emmanuelwakefield.org