As I informed you in an earlier e-epistle several weeks ago, after meeting with our architects and contractor, we were informed that the costs of our projects has had a sharp increase.  As this was quite a shock to everyone, myself and our building committee has re-grouped and are working on alternatives in order to reduce these costs and maintain our stated budget.  Our goal is to do this while still preserving the integrity of the projects, and meet the needs of our parish.
One of the suggestions, which has the potential of having a large impact on our projects, is to put a call out to our parishioners and ask for your help.  And you might say, “here we go again, asking for money”.  But that’s not the help I am asking for here (although we will never turn down additional financial support).  We believe we can reduce our costs if we have parishioners with businesses and/or skill sets in construction, who are willing to offer these materials and/or trades at either their costs or at least at a discount greater than the costs we are getting from the general contractor.   Currently, we have a few parishioners who have approached us and are helping in this way, but we could use a lot more!

We are asking for building materials; everything from concrete and re-bar to doors and windows, to lumber and steel, to wall tile and carpet, and everything in between.  If you are a tradesmen, we need excavation, surveyors, site utility installers, framers (wood), trim carpenters (exterior and interior), structural welders, waterproofing, insulation, sheet rock installers and finishers, acoustical ceiling mechanics, painters, masons, stucco installers, cabinetry and case work,  ceramic tile installers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC contractors, vinyl tile and base installers, door and window installers, hardware installers, job site and building cleaning, irrigation and landscape professionals.   I’m sure I have left someone out, so fill in the rest. We have a place to put it, we just need the buildings. 

If you feel you could offer assistance in any of these areas, please contact me by email, pastor@emmausparish.org or call the office, 512.261.8500.  I would be happy to discuss this with you and answer your questions.  I, and our building committee, believe our parishioners can offer a significant contribution to these projects by working together as a parish community!