We're Going to Keep On Moving Forward
Growing Our Legacy: What’s Happening?
Latest Figures: As of April 4, 2008, we have pledges and cash totalling more than $1,800,000.
Have You Pledged Yet? More than 80 volunteers have been meeting with members of our community -- in their homes or pre-arranged locations. These Visitors are sharing information about the work to be done on Hamilton Hall and how you can help – and they are taking the time to learn more about you and how our community can better meet your needs.
If you have not already been called, one of these visiting stewards will contact you. Please answer the call with openness and warmth. It is vital to the success of this campaign that you readily schedule a time to meet with them.
Kick-Off Party a Success! More than 135 adults and 20 children celebrated the start of the Capital Campaign on Feb. 2 at a gala dinner in Wendte Hall. Many thanks to Linda Propert Sanford, Kelly Jonick, and Suzanne Van Houten who led the team that brought us this event. Following dinner, we gathered in our sanctuary, Hamilton Hall, for a brief program. There we learned that the campaign already has (in cash and pledges) more than $1.1 million toward our goal of $2.0 million. We are truly grateful for the commitment and generosity each and every member is showing.
Want to know more about the renovation of our building or the capital campaign to raise the necessary money? Check out our Capital Campaign brochure or read the more detailed FAQs.
Architect Meeting. Architect Jim Goring and Structural Engineer Pak Hui spoke to about 20 members of our congregation on Nov. 11. They shared several architectural drawings, answered questions, and discussed some design elements:
- Significantly reinforce existing redwood arches to help handle the load in an earthquake; use discretely visible steel and carbon fiber reinforced plastic
- North and South walls braced with new tube steel cantilevered posts
- Vestry floor raised level with the sanctuary becoming a more usable room
- Soundproofing between Hamilton and Wendte halls
- Tower strengthening work augmented
- Significant strengthening of external brick and stonework; repairing and strengthening roof
There will also be non-structural work such as fire sprinklers, electrical, lighting and heating upgrades, and gutters and downspouts and interior work such as reconfiguring the chancel, improved access, soundproofing, etc. Our target for the project is 2009, and it is estimated to take about 6 months to complete.
Sept. 30, 2007: Capital Campaign Approved
Sunday, September 30, our congregation voted unanimously to begin a Capital Campaign to raise money for renovations to our sanctuary, Hamilton Hall. Sixty-plus members gathered at a Special Congregational Meeting where they heard presentations by Gail Schulz and Renee Harper, followed by a few questions and answers. The proposal which was unanimously accepted reads:
“Whereas our sanctuary, Hamilton Hall, is the place where we are experiencing the power of transforming love and where our dream of community is coming true, and
Whereas Hamilton Hall is a city, state, and federal landmark building that is essential to the vibrant neighborhood of which it is a part, and
Whereas Hamilton Hall, is an unreinforced masonry building which is unsafe in the event of an earthquake, and
Whereas we understand the scope of the construction project that will be needed to make Hamilton Hall safe for us and for future generations, and
Whereas we are prepared to work together, stretch together, and give generously together, as a spiritual community, to make such a construction project a reality,
Therefore be it resolved that we, the congregation of the First Unitarian Church of Oakland, do hereby approve undertaking a Capital Campaign to take place early in 2008, for the purpose of raising the funds needed to make our sanctuary, Hamilton Hall, safe in the event of an earthquake.”