St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

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UPDATE ON CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LITTLE LIGHT HOUSE

Our Focus Team and three Little Light House representatives met with the Session meeting on December 14, 2006, and heard the Light House representatives make a verbal offer to purchase our property to build their International Headquarters.  They will deliver the written contract on Monday, along with a copy of their check for $10,000 earnest money.  They are offering $7 per square foot of land, not to exceed 6 acres.  At 43,560 square feet per acre, that would mean between $1.5 and $1.8 million (depending on the exact number of square feet in the property).  No action was taken.  If and when the Session signs the contract, this is ultimately your decision (the whole congregation), and would need to be approved by the Presbytery.

For us to be good stewards, however, substantial repairs and renovation would have to be made to this building.  Some people have joined St. Andrew’s in spite of the obvious overdue maintenance needs; others have been turned off.  Although some renovation and repairs have happened through the years, much more needs to be done.  Here is an estimate of needed repairs and renovation to our building:

Our Focus Team has Focused on God, our members, our neighbors and our building.  They acknowledged to the Session on Thursday night that this building has become a liability rather than an asset, and recommended finding something we can afford which would allow us to continue as St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church (PCUSA).  However, there are no church buildings for sale within five miles.  There are five church buildings outside a five-mile radius — one in north Tulsa, two in west Tulsa, one in far east Tulsa and one in Broken Arrow.  All other available buildings have never been used as worship space, and would need extensive reconfiguration.  Sale prices exceed $1.2 million.

Some may think this will be “the end” of St. Andrew’s, but remember that endings always signal beginnings.  Not only would selling our property help another ministry reach their full potential, it would also be an opportunity to increase our ministry.  God is always doing something new!  There are possibilities for joint Presbyterian ministry in this general area if we work together toward that end.  We feel excited about the direction we see God leading us.  The Focus Team welcomes your comments and thoughts.  Send them to focus@standrewstulsa.org or write them out and place them in the box by the Office.

EIder Emerson Parker                                                   Rev. Ann LaMar

Clerk of Session                                                    Moderator of Session

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