First, we imagined we could build a Faith Formation Center! Then, we began to dream about what came next!
In early 2019, parishioners were asked to “Imagine if” our parish eliminated our nearly $6,000 monthly debt payment for the Moisant Faith Formation Center, which was completed in September 2013. Parishioners were asked to “dream big” with their recommendations to the parish.
And dream we did! Parishioners suggested nearly 200 dreams, which were published online (https://rcparish.org/imagine-if/). And many parishioners increased their offering to help reduce the remaining Moisant Faith Formation Center debt. The looming nightmare for the parish had been that we might be forced to use funds from our operational budget to pay the mortgage, which would impact our daily operations, our ministries and our community outreach. Instead, the Faith Formation Center debt was eliminated in September 2019.
A new Dream Big survey was begun in March 2021. You can specify a Dream Big gift or regular support in your offertory envelope or when you give online.
Before and after the mortgage payoff, projects ranging from church improvements to education to community service were considered and implemented by a committee of parishioners and Fr. Bill. To date, the projects below were suggested by parishioners and supported by our Dream Big donations.
- Moisant Faith Formation Center: With large and small donations from parishioners for over 10 years, the Moisant Center building was paid off in September 2019. Fr. Bill burned a mortgage document in the courtyard during the Taste of Italy dinner held on October 5, 2019.
- Pew cushions and risers: In the fall of 2019, parishioners began seeing improvements where they sat in church. Pew cushions and risers were replaced, following the replacement of the church carpet the previous year.
- The Atrium, a curriculum for the Preschool and Kindergarten: The Preschool and Kindergarten were enriched by the The Atrium curriculum and retreat space where children visit with Teacher Amanda, beginning in the 2019-20 school year. This is a special and sacred space where students hear Bible stories, interact with hands-on materials and are taught that God has infinite love and countless precious thoughts about them that He wants to share. The children learn that they can have a friendship with God and that He can help them make decisions. We pray for our children and our families and we teach the children to pray. We teach them to open their ears to God’s voice, which they can hear through nature, the Bible, situations, dreams and visions, in their minds and in their hearts. We teach them that God’s voice will always give them peace, even in the hardest of situations. Children are born with spiritual eyes and ears; it is our job to nurture this and lead them into an intimate relationship with God.
- Rossman Hall kitchen update: Approximately $2,500 from the Dream Big fund was used on kitchen improvements. The parish brought in an Oregon Department of Health Inspector to “pre-inspect” the kitchen, recommending some improvements:
- Event clean-up had not been able to use the commercial-grade dishwasher due to a tap water temperature too low to sanitize, but this was corrected. In early February 2020, a new hot water heater that serves the kitchen was installed, insuring the correct temperature for the dishwasher to work properly.
- Shelves for drying tubs, dishwasher racks and other large items were installed near the dishwasher.
- With the increased hot tap water, safety and warning signs will be posted near affected sinks to help avoid scalded skin.
- In late February 2020, a professional cleaning service completed a “deep clean” in the kitchen, including stripping and re-waxing the floor for easier clean-up.
- New procedures, based on the health inspection, were implemented, including one person per group using the kitchen will need a State of Oregon food handler card. Hairnets and gloves were strongly recommended.
- Hay Barn gutters: This multi-use building on the parish campus, which has seen many different uses, has a constant need to be kept in good condition. Funds from the Dream Big campaign paid for new gutters in the spring of 2020.
- Father’s Heart Ministry: The Father’s Heart Street Ministry is a Christian-based day facility for those in need in the Clackamas County / Oregon City area. The Ministry provides a safe refuge for those who need a shower, a warm meal, clothing, mailbox, a computer and rest in the peaceful presence of the Lord. It’s virtually the only drop-in resource in the county. Many parishioners have volunteered to support TFH, including serving hot meals from a pizza truck fully manned and contributed by a parishioner; serving meals at the center; assembling 100-200 sack lunches monthly, which includes decorated bags, desserts, and lots of snacks; EDGE donations of hygiene and snack bags; shopping to cover donation gaps such as men’s underwear, razors, wipes, peanut butter, bottled water, sleeping bags and more; and, assembling and serving breakfast burritos. (See also https://tfhministry.com and https://rcparish.org/ministries/fathers-heart-street-ministry/)
- Floors: In May 2020, laminate floors designed for long-term, hard traffic replaced stick-down carpet sections that had become impossible to keep clean. Floor materials and installation were paid for by Dream Big funding.
- Monday staff person: Before the parish support, TFH was open Tuesday through Saturday. Following the parish’s increased attention on the ministry, parishioners began to make monetary contributions to TFH Dream Big fund, which allowed the parish to help day-shelter staff with a much needed additional paid
- employee to serve those houseless and in need in our community on Mondays, beginning in August 2019.
- Family Promise of Tualatin Valley: Founded in 1988, Family Promise is a nationwide program that is dedicated to serving families with children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Local affiliates organize congregations, civic organizations, social service agencies and community members into volunteer coalitions. The Family Promise of Tualatin Valley affiliate was formed as a separate and independent 501(c)3 organization to provide services to local families. In October 2020 and in February 2021, Resurrection donated $2,000 each time to assist with families needing with rental applications and related expenses to help move families off the streets and out of temporary housing situations into more permanent housing (https://www.familypromiseoftv.org).
- Red Cross wildfire relief: $5,000 was donated to the special Oregon wildfire relief fund following the September 2020 wild fires in Oregon. Donations are still being accepted – click here to give online and choose Disaster Relief on the drop-down menu.