Dear Church Family,

For 150 years, Pearl River UMC members have lovingly nurtured our church home, enabling us to have a place to gather, to worship, to support one another and to grow in our faith together.

Today, it is our responsibility to continue that tradition, to renew and enhance our sacred spaces of worship, to educate, welcome all, serve and witness to the world.

As stewards of our church home, we are entrusted with an abiding responsibility to use our talents, gifts, and energies in commitment to God and our congregation – and to make possible the mission of our church – to be rooted in grace, growing in faith and reaching out with God’s love.

In fulfilling our mission, we honor our past. From our original gathering space on Middletown Road to our current facility, PRUMC has been a steadfast beacon of service and mission to our local community. We give thanks for the great cloud of witnesses that have sown the seeds of God’s grace and love. In honoring our legacy, we are now called to build for future generations.

We are currently at a point where we need to address two major issues with our beloved church. First, the building must be made more accessible, by providing an improved entrance area off the main driveway. Second, the stability of the sanctuary must be addressed by reinforcing the structure.

The theme of our campaign is REACH: Renew, Enhance and Access our Church Home.

Why “Reach?” Firstly, it is a reminder of who will be able to REACH by making our building more accessible for all. Secondly, REACH implies a need to stretch a little further. We realize that any building campaign needs the commitment of the community, but we are confident that through the support and gifts of this faith community we will REACH our goal of providing a renewed, enhanced and accessible church home for the future generations to continue God’s work in this community. It’s our turn to be faithful stewards of our church home, so that future generations may continue to be rooted in grace, growing in faith and reaching out with God’s love.

With God’s love and blessings,

Rich RoseCyndi Stouffer

Church Council ChairPastor

Reach Team:

Amy Andrews | Bob Anschick

Chris Connor | Helen D'Agostino

Bill Gesner | Maria Halzack

Gwen Kendall | John Murphy

Sara Pafford | Rich Rose

Pastor Cyndi Stouffer | Steve Stouffer

The Pearl River UMC was organized as a church June 26, 1865. At that time, worship services were conducted in private homes. In 1868, we purchased the local Baptist church as a space to gather and worship. It was 1894 that the present site was donated to us by Mr. and Mrs. George Braunsdorf, and a building was erected.

In 1901, we had grown enough so that we were appointed our first resident Pastor, Rev. Ora Shoop, and we built the Parsonage next to the church building. In 1922, an addition was built onto the church to accommodate our growing membership and again in 1957, the Education Building was added to provide more space for the expanding congregation.

Last year we celebrated our 150th Anniversary of ministry and mission in the Pearl River community. We have been blessed to have a facility that allows us to reach so many both in our church fellowship and in our local community. Over the years there have been times when our church has needed to adjust this facility to meet its changing needs. Our facility is currently at one of those points. Our goal is to Renew the current structure of our sanctuary, Enhancing our building through capital improvements to flooring and our walkways and make our facility Accessible to all, so that our Church Home might continue to be a beacon of God’s love for future generations.

Our plan is to address two major issues around the safety and accessibility of our facility:

First, the stability of the sanctuary must be addressed by reinforcing the structural supports. There is significant bowing of the walls in and around the choir loft. We need to address and correct this issue before it comes an emergency situation. While these changes may not be that visible, they will ensure that our church will have a space to gather and worship safely for many years to come.

Second, our building is not accessible to all. For those in wheelchairs, with walkers or even strollers, it is a challenge to enter our facility. In order to address this challenge we will be providing an improved entrance area off the driveway. This will include a ramp, an enlarged welcome space and a unisex handicapped accessible restroom. The driveway will be widened to include several more handicapped spaces and new improved sidewalks will provide a safer entrance for all.

Sanctuary Repair

Accessibility Improvements

Cash Gifts

Cash is one of the easiest ways to donate, and is especially appreciated because it can immediately be put to use. A cash gift can be in the form of a personal check, cash or debit card payment. Some companies offer matching gift programs for their employees that support Non-profit organizations. Check with your company to see if this is a possibility.

Make Your Gift Online

To make your gift online please click on the button below. If you would like help on making your pledge donations online please contact John Murphy - jmurphy10965usa@gmail.com and he will gladly talk you through the process.

Donate to Capital Campaign

Questions and Answer about PRUMC’s Capital Campaign

Why does our church home need updating now?

In 2015, we celebrated our 150th Anniversary of ministry and mission in the Pearl River community. We have been blessed to have a facility that allows us to reach so many both in our church fellowship and in our local community. Over the years there have been times when the members needed to address this facility to meet its changing needs. Our facility is currently at one of those points.

Our goal is to Renew the current structure of the sanctuary, Enhance our building through capital improvements to flooring and our walkways and make our facility Accessible to all, so that our Church Home might continue to be a beacon of God's love for future generations. Now it is our time to step forward and address the needs of our church home in order to ensure that PRUMC stands strong into its next 150 years as a vital testimony to the power and love of Christ.

What changes will be made in our building?

Our plan is to address two major issues around safety and accessibility of our facility:

First, the stability of the sanctuary must be addressed by reinforcing the structural supports. There is significant bowing of the walls in and around the choir loft. We need to address and correct this issue before it becomes an emergency situation. While these changes may not be that visible, they will ensure that our church will have a space to gather and worship safely for many years to come.

Second, our building is not accessible to all. For those in wheelchairs, with walkers or even strollers, it is a challenge to enter and access our facility. In order to address this challenge we will be providing an improved entrance area off the driveway. This will include a ramp, an enlarged welcome space and a unisex handicapped accessible restroom. The driveway will be widened to include several more handicapped parking spaces and new improved sidewalks will provide a safer entrance for all.

What will the project cost?

We are estimating that the total cost of this project will be close to $475,000. At this point, initial gifts have raised over $62,000. We have already spent over $19,000 on an engineering study and architectural plans.

What is our financial plan?

Our financial plan anticipates that we will be funded by proceeds of this capital campaign and a renovation loan. We will also pursue grants and other outside funding opportunities. We have currently raised over $62,000 towards the REACH campaign. The more successful our initial contributions are, the smaller the loan will need to be to complete the projects. The size of the loan will be finalized by the Finance Committee, and affirmed at a future Church Council meeting in the coming months, but is anticipated to be around $400,000. Once this is done, construction schedules will be coordinated and finalized and shared with the congregation and membership. Target date is to start after Easter Sunday 2017 and complete by Christmas that year.

Cost Estimate Summary

Sanctuary Structural Repairs$242,121.00

ADA Entrance & Bathroom$155,179.16

Driveway / Sidewalk Site Improvements$37,631.00

Professional Services$30,000.00

Total Estimate$464,931.16

If you would like a broken down estimate of the above please email John at jmurphy10965usa@gmail.com

What if the capital campaign raises less than we need?

If the amount raised will not cover all projects, then projects will need to be prioritized based on urgency of need and safety. The confidence of the Finance Committee to commit to the necessary loan will be based in great part on the results of the Capital Improvement pledge campaign and the financial commitment to the church by its members, both now and in the future.

What is expected of me?

Each of us has a unique contribution to make to the future of this faith community, a part of the REACH campaign that only we can provide. Only we can determine what our contribution will be – over and above the amount we return to God through our ongoing pledges each year. This is a time to ask what God would do through us – through God’s grace and our faith as we REACH beyond what we thought was possible. We are asking each of you to pray daily, “Lord, what would you have me do?” This is not simply a decision about money. This is a faith statement that reflects our sense of calling, a way we will share our faith with future generations.

What should a capital campaign gift be?

In order for us to complete this campaign and ensure that our gathering space will be safe and accessible to all, we will need significant initial commitment from our church family in the next three years. This is sacrificial giving. PRUMC is asking each person to give prayerful consideration for how you may contribute from your resources (income, assets, estate plans). We cannot all give equally, but we can all sacrifice equally.

What happens on Sunday May 1, 2016?

At this Sunday’s special worship service we will have the opportunity to respond to the challenge by indicating our financial commitment and turning in our commitment card, signifying what we will give in the next three years to honor PRUMC’s past and REACH out to build for our future. Special envelopes will be given so that pledges may begin June of 2016.