Cabinet and Congregation Vote to Move Forward with Their “Preserving Our Future for Ministry” Capital Campaign

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
February 5, 2024

Sylvania, OH– As Sylvania United Church of Christ approaches its bicentennial, the Cabinet and Congregation overwhelmingly voted to move forward with their “Preserving Our Future for Ministry” Capital Campaign. It will be their first capital campaign since 1997.

The approximately $2.24 million capital campaign will focus on differed maintenance, which will allow the church to focus on continuing its dedicated and strong mission and outreach to serve and support the communities of Northwest Ohio. With the funds raised through the “Preserving Our Future for Ministry” Capital Campaign, Sylvania UCC will focus on updating the HVAC system and elevator; adding new roofs to the kitchen, nursery, and Wright Hall; adding additional solar panels across the church campus; repairing and upgrading the current solar panels, as well gutters, downspouts, and fascia; replacing windows throughout the church; resurfacing the parking lot; preserving the masonry and concrete around the church campus; modernizing the signage and building painting; upgrading lighting, electrical, and security, as well as upgrades to the Sanctuary. Additionally, up to 10% of funds raised will go to support mission efforts of the church.

This decision came after the conclusion of a 4-week Readiness Assessment period. During this period, an impressive 87% of Sunday church attendees attended a dozen Focus Group Meetings, where they participated in question-and-answer sessions based on the proposed campaign.

An Open and Affirming church, the congregation of Sylvania UCC is dedicated to social justice causes, which include immigrant and refugee support, environmental stewardship, LGBTQ+ support, voting rights advocacy, and racial justice. Sylvania UCC holds strong ties with the community through their mission and outreach work. The congregation supports a plethora of local community organizations, including Food for Thought, Sylvania Area Family Services, Church World Services, and the Toledo Seagate Foodbank.

“To witness Sylvania United Church of Christ’s dedication to spreading the love of Christ by supporting important and timely social justice issues, as well as their strong support of ministry and outreach throughout the community is humbling. It is truly a home for all to celebrate Christ’s love during these divisive times,” said Gregory Chadwick, Campaign Director with James D. Klote & Associates. James D. Klote & Associates is honored to partner with Sylvania Unitech Church of Christ on the next chapter in an already storied history.

James D. Klote & Associates, is providing full time resident service. With offices in Falls Church, Virginia; Chicago, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; and Toronto, Ontario, James D. Klote & Associates is the largest full-time, on-site stewardship consulting firm in North America. For additional information, please contact the firm at www.jdklote.com or (703) 532-7633.