Dear in Christ,

God bless you!

Thanks be to God, we’ve received the final set of estimates for all the work needing to be done for our parish beautification project, which the parish council announced in February.

QUICK RUN-DOWN OF THIS MESSAGE:

• We’re roughly 60% done with the beautification project – Phase One is nearly done.
• We’ve received approx. $25,000 in donations so far.
• We need about $16,000 more to complete Phase Two.
• Don’t forget about your regular pledging.

Read a more detailed description of the beautification project here.

PHASE ONE WORK COMPLETED:

With the donations we’ve received so far, totaling approximately $25,000, we have been able to:

1. complete most of the work for replacing all but one of the external doors and all the external locks (by far the most expensive and complicated piece of this project; this was needed whether we did the cosmetic work or not because of the age of the equipment),
2. install new aluminum Greek columns at the porticoes (the old wood columns were rotting, so this was also necessary),
3. remove old window shutters,
4. install related aluminum and other preparatory work on the porticoes, and
5. install new lighting in those same locations and shining on the front of the building.

This is the foundational work needed to be done before the more cosmetic phase can begin.

I think you’ll agree that our building is already far more beautiful than it was! The blue doors and Greek columns have already transformed the way we look and make our facade look much more like a church.

PHASE TWO WORK NEEDING TO BE DONE:

In order for us to complete all the work needed for the project, we will need an additional approximately $16,000 in donations. This will be used to:

1. install all the external iconography,
2. install a banner sign on the telephone pole out front,
3. install a cross above our main entrance,
4. paint the brown lettering white to match the main cross, and
5. finish up the door and lock work.

The parish council’s plan is to begin and continue this work as donations become available. We’ve made a detailed schedule prioritizing which pieces to do in which order. (If you’re interested in seeing this schedule, you can contact a member of the council.)

PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY:

We look forward to the blessing of further upgrading the external presentation of our church building, both for the edification of those who already worship at St. Paul’s and for the increased visibility of our parish in the Emmaus and Lehigh Valley community.

First, pray to ask God what He would have you do to (further) contribute to this project, then discuss it with your family, then make that commitment and follow through. No matter what you are able to do (even if it’s just a small amount), support the work of our parish with your prayers.

DON’T FORGET ABOUT YOUR REGULAR PLEDGES:

All this work is in addition to our regular pledges, which support the normal operating cost of the parish. So don’t “rob Peter to pay Paul,” so to speak, in order to give to this beautification project. Summertime is also one of the “leaner” times of the year regarding pledge giving, so remember to keep up to date on your regular commitment to support St. Paul’s operations.

Thank you, and may God bless all your generosity!

On Sunday, February 5, the parish council of St. Paul’s announced a major beautification project to enhance the visibility and beauty of the front of our temple and parish hall.

Above are “Before” and “After” images of the front of St. Paul Orthodox Church (Emmaus, PA). (Click for larger versions.)

The “After” is a conceptual artist’s rendering for a beautification project that should in its first phase be underway in the near future. This is the fruit of a lot of work by our parish council, especially with design work by Michael Sayre and a lot of input and logistical work from Joe Dunski, our maintenance committee head.

The “After” is just a conceptual drawing at this point — various things will likely change, and those icons you see are probably not the final images but are place-holders for the time being until we can finalize some images that we can use.

Large prints of these images are now in the narthex. Also included is a much more detailed list of the things that are going to be done, including replacement of most of our external doors. (That list is also below.)

If you’re interested in making a donation (no matter how large or how small!) to this project, perhaps in memory of a loved one or in honor of their continued health, you can speak with Fr. Andrew or any member of our parish council. You can also just drop a donation in the basket — be sure that it’s marked “beautification project” and that your envelope includes any names you would like remembered in prayer.

Please consider giving what you can toward this project — no matter how big or how small.

We will soon be getting estimates for more of the work that is needed to be done, and we’ve already received a significant amount in donations so far. This is your chance to make your mark for the beauty and visibility of our parish building. Both your prayers and your donations are needed!

Program of Repairs and Enhancements to Façade and Entranceways

REPAIRS
– Replace 3 front doors and 1 rear door
– Replace portico columns
– Remove window shutters
– Remove exterior sconce lights at doorways
– Replace all portico aluminum fascia and soffit trim
– Remove concrete walkway between central doorway and social hall doorway

ENHANCEMENTS
– Install 4’x2’ banner on telephone pole at sidewalk
– Repaint church name letters all white
– Add angel figures to left and right of cross above church name
– Add iconographic images to pediments (upper triangular front face of portico)
– Relocate double doors to central doorway
– New single door design with semicircular windows
– New double door design with split semicircular windows
– Add new classical style columns
– Change color of all portico soffits (undersides) to blue
– Install new recessed lighting in 3 portico soffits
– Add down lighting to illuminate the 3 pediment icon images
– Add landscaping between central doorway and social hall doorway
– Add parking bumpers in front of new landscaping
– Paint central entranceway pavement blue
– Add ‘kissing’ icons to central doorway to left and right of double doors
– Refurbish exterior illuminated bulletin board at left side of social hall doorway
– Add ‘greeting’ icon (Meeting on Road to Emmaus) to right side of social hall doorway
– Complete central entranceway with new cross mounted to top of pediment