Community Hall Tour
Sanctuary Wall Raising
Treasures In Our Attic
One of the topics of long and frequent conversation among our Building Expansion Team and congregation revolved around windows. Up in our attic, there are four stained glass windows that were placed about the Kraft Room and Kitchen in the last expansion of the sanctuary in the 1940s. They were original to the church when it was first constructed. People hoped that we might find a way to incorporate them in the new build.
Another long talked about topic were the windows that are hidden behind the wall of the altar, visible from the street, but not from within the sanctuary. Placed in such a way that no light can pass through and reveal their colors. Early on we determined that based on the size of the windows that they would be over powering to open into the altar space.
Imagine my joy when looking through some of our historic records, I found this pencil drawing of our church when it was first constructed.
This drawing revealed what the black and white photographs had held obscured. The windows behind our altar had originally faced the village green.
We are delighted that in our current plans, we will be moving the windows back to their original orientation to the village green. We have also found ways to incorporate the beautiful windows stored in our attic.
Even as we expand, we are honoring history and restoring some of the original plans of our building.
July 5, 2021
Cotuit Federated Church is a vibrant church where people experience being in beloved community. We aim to foster a community where people form relationships, build each other up, comfort the suffering, overcome loneliness, grow emotionally and spiritually, receive hope, grow in trust, and find purpose in life.
We are at an exciting moment in the history of Cotuit Federated Church. As a congregation, we share in the responsibility of being good stewards of our church, providing a safe and accessible space for our community to gather. To honor our mission, we must ensure that CFC meets the needs of our community, as well as those of future generations.
Since embarking on this campaign, we have raised $2.85 million. We are in awe of the generosity of our community. More than 130 members of the church and wider community have already committed to making this dream a possibility.
There are still several opportunities to be openly recognized in our building expansion project. Many people are choosing to honor loved ones by designating one of the new spaces in their memory (see below for these opportunities).
Diorama created by Peter Rohner
CFC leadership has created a building expansion plan that would not only meet our current needs, but also better prepare our church to sustainably meet the needs of future generations.
View from High Street
Together, we have a unique opportunity to ensure that our facilities reflect the purpose of CFC and provide space for our community to thrive and grow for future generations.
View from School Street
We humbly ask you to join us in the practice of gratitude and generosity, as this vision will be achievable only through the participation of the entire congregation and the broader community.
View from the park
Learn more about our history and our need for expansion (PDF) here
We Have Come A Long Way Since August 2018 . . .
2019 Milestones
- Feasibility Study with External Consultant; Set Goal of $3.5 million
- Fundraising – “Silent Phase”; By Year End $1.96 million raised with pledges and donations
- Discussions with UMC Leadership about Property Ownership
- Building Design Workshops with Congregation Members
2020 Milestones
- Fundraising receptions with Congregation Members (January & February)
- Congregation Design and Feedback Workshops (February)
- Property Transfers – Church and Parsonage (March – May)
- Capital Campaign – Public Phase postponed; fundraising on limited basis (throughout the year)
- Architect and Builder Selected – ConServ (October)
2021 Milestones
- Building Design with ConServ (late 2020 – Present)
- Capital Campaign – Public Phase with Congregation (March and Ongoing); currently at $2.85 million
- Grant Opportunities (commenced March)
- Community Communications (April – July)
- Cotuit Post Office — New Lease and Mortgage Payoff (May – August)
- Groundbreaking (after CraftFest/Fall 2021)
Floor plan of Sanctuary and New Building—includes classrooms, offices, music room
Naming Opportunities
As of June 14, 2021
Building on the generosity of previous generations, CFC’s building expansion will offer several opportunities for donors at the highest levels to acknowledge the importance of our community in their lives. Proposed naming opportunities are honorary only and do not reflect actual expenses associated with the space that bears the name.
| # | Space | Minimum Pledge Level | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Community Building | $1,000,000 | Available |
| 2 | Community Hall | $500,000 | Available |
| 3 | Altar Area Redesign | $500,000 | Claimed |
| 4 | Main Sanctuary Entrance | $500,000 | Claimed |
| 5 | Music Room | $250,000 | Claimed |
| 6 | Kitchen | $200,000 | Available |
| 7 | Elevator | $150,000 | Available |
| 8 | Lower Level Cotuit Nursery School | $150,000 | Available |
| 9 | Main Hall Entrance | $100,000 | Claimed |
| 10 | Interior Sanctuary Entrance | $100,000 | Available |
| 11 | A/V System: New Hall | $100,000 | Available |
| 12 | A/V System: Sanctuary | $100,000 | Available |
| 13 | Outside Terrace | $75,000 | In Progress |
| 14 | Large Group Sunday School Space | $55,000 | Claimed |
| 15 | Pastor Study | $50,000 | Claimed |
| 16 | Admin Office | $50,000 | Available |
| 17 | Small Group Sunday School Space | $50,000 | Available |
| 18 | Church Nursery | $50,000 | Available |
| 19 | Emergency Generator | $50,000 | Available |
| 20 | Sanctuary Lift | $25,000 | Available |
| Exterior Space as Appropriate | $25,000 - $50,000 | In Progress |
Purpose
The Campaign Recognition Framework and Naming Policies help to ensure that philanthropic gifts with associated naming opportunities at Cotuit Federated Church are managed in a consistent manner. These policies will help to ensure that CFC provides donors with equitable, consistent, and appropriate recognition and stewardship for their generous support.
Recognition Policies
Campaign recognition will be given for all non-anonymous gifts of cash and pledges made toward the objectives of the Campaign. Donors will be recognized and honored in select publications, unless anonymity is requested.
Naming Framework and Policies
Campaign naming opportunities publicly recognize leading gifts from significant donors. They also allow for highly personalized solicitations and can raise sights around giving.
Physical spaces will be recognized via signage, plaques, displays, or another physical installation to be determined by Campaign Leadership. The nature and attributes of the physical recognition will be commensurate with the level of the gift. Signage must be well-designed, tasteful, and consistent. Donors will be asked to list their name as they wish to be recognized when they complete their pledge for the campaign. Donors can identify verbiage preferences when naming a space, but the design of the signage will be determined by Campaign Leadership.
It is important to note that only written and recorded commitments are eligible to reserve naming opportunities. Planned gift intentions are not eligible to reserve named spaces. CFC leadership may revoke a naming right if the pledge obligation is unfulfilled and/or written off.
