Join the Campaign: An Invitation from the Elevating Our Vision Team

Dear Cedar Lane Members and Friends,

Have you been to Cedar Lane recently? There is such positive energy as Cedar Lane regathers this fall! Each week we welcome new families and people interested in nurturing their spiritual lives and in building a more just world.

Our beautiful, renovated space is taking shape. You can see the spacious new social hall with the beautiful wall of windows and the outdoor deck that will allow for more opportunities to connect and gather both on Sundays after service and for community events!  You can see the new 3-level elevator shaft poking out of the roof and the new accessible and gender affirming bathrooms. And there are more improvements that aren’t as visible – waterproofing, insulation, a state-of-the-art fire alarm system. Construction is proceeding exceptionally well, on schedule and on budget.

New deck and social hall window wall, October 2023.

This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity – an opportunity to invest in Cedar Lane in a way that says our worship, our programs, our work for justice, and our beloved community are the best investment we make for ourselves and for our community. This transformation is happening because of the congregation’s shared vision and shared investment of time, talent, and treasure. We are so grateful for your commitment and generosity to this vision!

Five years ago, Cedar Lane launched a capital campaign to fund this project, raising $5.7 million, including $4.8 million for construction costs. Many Cedar Lane families participated in the campaign, giving with exceptional generosity.  

Now, we look forward to how we can fully realize our vision to transform Cedar Lane’s campus to better meet the needs of current and future members and our mission and ministry. We are excited to announce the launch of a special fundraising campaign, Elevating Our Vision, to meet our commitment. Elevating Our Vision will:

• Help ensure the congregation has a high-quality digital experience, increasing Cedar Lane’s audiovisual capabilities for those who worship with us in-person and those who join us online. Many current and future Cedar Laners expect to have the flexibility to join us where they are – from home, from the sidelines of kids soccer games, or while at work. In addition to enhanced AV capabilities, the renovated sanctuary and the new social hall will both make our space more inviting and accessible and also substantially increase our ability to rent space for events and conventions to local groups and community partners.

• Purchase furnishings for key areas of the building that increase accessibility, comfort, and the flexible use of each space. Our vision includes furnishings for the sanctuary, social hall, deck, and new family lounge.  

• Allow us to refurbish classrooms on the lower level that are primarily used by our youngest members on Sunday mornings.  Refurbished classrooms will be attractive and welcoming with new paint and finishings, and have updated AV capabilities that support and nurture the spiritual lives of our children and youth.

• Ensure Cedar Lane can complete construction debt-free and without incurring large interest payments. 

The goal for Elevating Our Vision is $950,000 – and we are well on our way to achieving it. As we write this, a number of leadership gifts have been made and we have over $445,000 committed. 

Would you consider making a pledge to this once-in-a-generation transformation?

As we embark on this special campaign, Elevating Our Vision, we hope you will consider carefully with your family how you might invest in the present and future of our congregation.  If each of us and all of us give within our means, we will succeed.

Please note that your gift to Elevating Our Vision can be given over the next two years on the schedule that best meets your needs.  You are welcome to return pledge cards received in the mail or make an online pledge at https://bit.ly/ElevatingOurVision.  

We are so grateful for your generous support of and commitment to Cedar Lane.  

The Elevating Our Vision Team,

Regina Dull, Chair Don Bliss Kathie Bryant

John Dunn  Kathleen Knepper Mary Means Joe Merenda

Interior of Social Hall, October 2023.