Holy Cross Orthodox Church

Please use this page to acquaint yourself with all the specifics of our 'Big Dig' project. Browse the items in the sidebar to find out more about the project's specifics, as well as Fr. Gregory's letter to the parish regarding the financial challenge we have to meet and an overview of the project. If you've not already submitted a pledge card, you can do so by using our online Pledge Form.

Lastly, be sure to check the Photo Gallery, giving a pictorial history of little parish's transformation through the various stages of project completion. We'll try and update the Gallery at least once a week.

Contact us with any questions!

Overview

Christ is risen! Truly He is risen!

On Holy Saturday, April 7, 2007, we took action as a Parish Family to approve a borrowing and spending plan for the purpose of making some very substantial and long needed improvements to our Linthicum home. Of course, it goes without saying that if you want to borrow and spend, you also have to pay!

We moved into this building in 1997, a full ten years ago. Since that time, we have spent over $200,000 in paying off the initial mortgage, and in making improvements to the building and furnishing it beautifully. Now we need to borrow about that much again, to complete the job of making this building a permanent, attractive, and beautiful Orthodox temple. Our plan is to borrow money on an interest-only basis for the next year while we complete a number of building projects, and then create a permanent 10-year mortgage for the balance, which could be as high as $225,000. The projects we are hoping to get done for this amount include exterior waterproofing of the basement; new front entryway, steps and wheelchair lift; an entire new heating and air conditioning system; a small parking and drop-off area; extensive remodeling to the Parish Hall; and the possible addition of some portable classroom buildings.

In order to accomplish these goals we will need to raise a specific amount of money, either in gifts over the next year, or in pledges that will carry us for the next ten years as we payoff the new mortgage. Cash up front is wonderful, because it allows us to save the cost of interest expense over succeeding years. However, we are realistic enough to know making a substantial cash gift will not be possible for most of our members, so we anticipate raising most of funds we need via pledges. We have met financial challenges before and we should be able to do so again. Of course, this will require every family making a special effort to give and pledge sacrificially, over and above the amounts already pledged towards our Operating Fund and our Benevolent Fund.

It is our custom every fall to ask each family unit in the Parish to re-consider its financial as well as time commitment to the support of this Parish. We try to refrain from being pushy, because we truly believe that the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts and lives of God's people and motivate them to help as they should. This year, since we have already begun to get underway with some major building-related projects, we would like to have people consider increasing their support specifically for the Building Fund. Of course you will have another opportunity to make a pledge in October, but it would be very helpful in planning for the future if the Parish Council had an idea of how much of an increase in Building Fund pledges we can count on.

We are asking every family unit to complete the Building Fund pledge card and return it to me either by mailing in the hard copy available in the narthex, by placing it in the offering basket or by using our online form. (Reminder: only I and the Pledge Records Secretary see these pledge amounts!) I will total them up and let the Parish Council know what has been pledged. Please note that if you have a question about your current pledge amount, or about the amount you have given during the past or current year, you can contact me and I will get that information for you.

I know that you all rejoice that we are underway with these projects. I also know that each of you will pray and seek God's will in knowing how to support your parish family in this endeavor. May the God of Grace and Resurrection pour out His abundant mercies on you and all those dear to you!

In the Risen Lord Jesus Christ,

Related Documents

Per the special meeting held Holy Saturday to approve the funds for several building projects, please review the projects listed and phases of completion as discussed.

• Call to Special Meeting
• Project Details, Mortgage Terms, etc
• Notes from the Holy Saturday Special Meeting
• Snail-Mail Pledge Form

Pledge Form

 

Use this form to pledge towards completion of our building projects. Please remember that only Fr. Gregory and the Pledge Records Secretary see this information! * fields are required.

* I pledge to give a FIXED CASH gift to the Building Fund … (i.e. "I pledge to give $10,000", or "I pledge to give $500") * I pledge to give a RECURRING MONTHLY gift to the Building Fund …
* …in the amount of:	A dollar amount is required.
* …beginning on:	(MM/DD/YY) A date is required.
* Your full name:	A name is required.
* Your email address:	An email address is required.
Your comments (if any):	(If you're FIXED CASH gift will be paid in installments, please note the number of installments here. Other notes or comments may be listed here as well!)

Photo Gallery

 

Note: The gallery images may take a few moments to load, especially if you're on dial-up!