The Vine - News Blog

All Arborlawn Events Canceled for Sunday, December 8 Due to Effects of Winter Storm

 
Because of the icy weather situation in Fort Worth, all Arborlawn events are canceled for Sunday, December 8: Worship Services, Sunday School, Youth Group, Nativity Pageant, and any other scheduled events.
 
Please help us get the word out.
 
Stay safe and warm everyone!
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

A columbarium at Arborlawn?

 
[Editor's Note: This is the third in a series of articles about columbaria. Read the first and second articles.]
 
In the past two months, articles were presented in The Vine defining what a columbarium is and describing why there are so many of them being constructed on church grounds. If you missed these articles, here is a brief review:
 
A columbarium is a place for storage of a person’s cremated remains. The choice of cremation over preserved body burial has risen 40 percent in the past 10 years. It is estimated to rise to 75 percent by 2050. With state laws modified in Texas to allow churches to provide columbaria, many are doing so as a service to their membership. The desire to be laid to rest near one’s church home is increasing as well.
 
For these reasons, a committee has formed to determine the feasibility of offering such a service at Arborlawn. Although the committee has only met twice, we wanted to share with you some initial concepts that we are considering:
 
Location: After joining with the Labyrinth Committee, we all agreed that a garden location bordering the labyrinth in the area between the Elizabeth Cramer Chapel and the Sanctuary would be ideal.
 
Design: The current concept is of a semi-circular 6- to 7-foot wall at the north end of the labyrinth, possibly separated from the labyrinth by landscaping. Embedded within the wall would be sections containing the columbarium niches. Each section, conceptually containing between 50 to 100 niches, could be completed as needed, in a phased approach after the initial semi-circular wall is built. We hope to have conceptual drawings done by early 2014 to better explain this concept.
 
How: We are still discussing funding for the project. We know that to move forward, detailed design and construction drawings will need to be prepared. We plan to continue discussions of funding options into next year with the goal of presenting a funding plan to the Arborlawn Trustees and the Arborlawn Foundation early in the year. Our hope is to begin construction next year.
 
In summary, if you believe a columbarium would be a beneficial service to the Arborlawn community, we invite you to consider making a donation toward its construction by designating a portion of your year-end church support gift for the AUMC Columbarium Fund. Thank you for considering this option.
 
Any questions, suggestions, and concerns may be directed to Paula Thomas.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Why a columbarium?

 
[Editor's Note: This is the second in a series of articles about columbaria. Read the first article here.]
 
Three main factors seem to be driving the trend toward columbaria, according to a 2013 Star Telegram article:
 
* Churches are embracing the traditional concept of churchyard burial;
* Cremation and niche cost significantly less than casket and gravesite; and
* The option is environmentally friendly.
 
Changing demographics and the easing of Christian objections have helped drive the increase in the acceptance of cremation in recent decades. For many of the faithful, it's a comfort to know that their earthly remains will sit in a place of peace and beauty, close to where they spent many meaningful hours over their lifetimes.
 
Quoting the president of Thompson's Harveson & Cole Funeral Home, the number of people choosing cremation in the DFW area has increased from 5 percent to 40 percent in the last 15 years. Furthermore, it may increase to 75 percent in the next 10 years.
 
Columbaria are environmentally friendly when compared to traditional graveyards. According the owner of a firm that has built columbaria in 1,200 churches of various denominations, "A columbarium with 200 niches holding 400 urns can easily fit on the space of one cemetery plot; you cut out the emissions from mowing the grass every week, the water needed for the grass, and on and on."
 
In 2009, the Texas Legislature changed the law to allow columbaria anywhere on a church campus.The appeal of building a columbarium must be carefully weighed against a church's long-term facilities vision, due to the sanctity of the area.
 
Our next article will provide an overview of such considerations as might be applied should a columbarium be constructed at Arborlawn. For more information, please contact Paula Thomas.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

What is a columbarium?

 
[Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of articles about columbaria.]
 
This fall a new church committee is gathering  to consider building a columbarium at Arborlawn to provide a unique, meaningful end-of-life option for church members and their families. In response to hearing about this committee, many of you have asked, "What is a columbarium?"
 
According to Webster: A columbarium is an ancient sepulchre with recesses for urns containing the ashes of the dead. (The word is derived from Latin word columba meaning pigeon or dove.)
 
And from to Wikipedia: A columbarium is a place for the respectful and usually public storage of cinerary urns (i.e. urns holding a deceased person's cremated remains).
 
There are many examples of ancient columbaria scattered all over Europe, but it may surprise you that there are also many examples of contemporary columbaria closer to home here in the DFW area. According to a Star-Telegram article, there are 26 church columbaria in North Texas with several more being considered.
 
In our second article next month, we will discuss why so many of this type of building are springing up in mainstream churches today. Until then, if you are curious, visit First United Methodist Church in downtown Fort Worth, Saint Stephens Presbyterian, or University Christian Church for some local examples of established columbaria.
 
For more information on planning for a possible Arborlawn columbarium, please contact Paula Thomas.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Arborlawn realizing energy cost savings through special program

 
In an effort to be the best stewards of energy resources, Arborlawn is in a business arrangement with Ideal Impact that is helping us greatly reduce the amounts of energy we use in the operation of the church. A wonderful side benefit of this program is our realizing notable cost savings of late.
 
The partnership with Ideal Impact began last March with training from the firm's engineers and managers on energy consumption basics. The company then installed programmable thermostats and electric timers for coffee pots and some water fountains throughout our campus.
 
Ideal Impact then grouped all of our air-conditioning units into various zones throughout the facilities and organized them within those zones based on usage. This allowed the firm to configure an "Ideal Scheduler" that works in concert with our resource calendar of events and meetings to optimize energy consumption for those times when rooms are being used.
 
This optimization and scheduling of energy resources is why we have been asking for a few months that those who lead meetings and events please schedule them through Arborlawn's Office Manager, Sherry Roth. And because you've been doing your part and helping us with this program, the church saw energy savings of about $4400 in the second quarter of this year.
 
So our arrangement with Ideal Impact is proving to be just what we envisioned: a way to help us be responsible stewards of the finances with which God entrusts us.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Please reserve a room for your meeting at the church (and help us be responsible energy stewards)

 
Arborlawn is such an active church. We are extremely blessed to have so many wonderful events, classes, missions, ministries, fellowship festivities, and discipleship opportunities. But a challenge of this type of blessing is the organization and logistics of the meeting spaces and resources for the activities. (We're up to it, though!)
 
One very important resource we must all consider is the energy to power the air conditioning and lighting in our spaces. To that end, we've entered into a business relationship with an organization called Ideal Impact to help us with energy conservation and good stewardship. Ideal Impact will work with Arborlawn to help us program and schedule thermostats so we can maximize energy efficiency.
 
Because of this new energy conservation strategy, now more than ever before we are asking classes, organizations, ministries, groups, and individuals who hold meetings at Arborlawn to please use our Event Request Form to reserve meeting spaces and resources (such as tables, audio/visual systems, child care, etc.).
 
The Event Request Form is available in the church office. Or you can contact Sherry Roth to have a form emailed to you. Or you can download it from our web site.
 
Thank you so much for helping us be good stewards of the facilities we've been given by God and entrusted to administer.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Farewell to a landmark: Bell Tower to be razed

 
It has stood for more than forty years, serving as a constant witness to the work and ministry of the church and a familiar landmark for the community. For decades, the chimes and carillon bells have brought music and beauty to the congregation and the surrounding neighborhood. The Bell Tower has served its purpose well.
 
As you recall, the Trustees unanimously recommended razing the structure due to serious concerns related to integrity of the brick façade surrounding the metal infrastructure. A chemical adhesive used in the original construction process to bind the bricks to the metal supports has shown signs of deterioration and weakness, resulting in numerous cracks and fissures in the brick exterior. The danger is not in the metal infrastructure but primarily with the possibility of bricks becoming dislodged, which poses a serious safety concern.
 
While none of us want to lose the Bell Tower, the safety issues cannot be ignored. Upon the recommendation of the Trustees to remove the Bell Tower, we hosted a Town Hall meeting last Fall to bring the congregation up-to-date and invite and answer any questions that might arise.
 
Here are a few questions and answers that might be helpful:
 
Q. When will the Bell Tower be removed?
A. As scheduled, the demolition project will take place between April 3 and April 12, 2013.
 
Q. Could the Bell Tower be repaired?
A. No. The structural engineering reports stated the condition of the bricks and adhesive made it virtually impossible to repair.
 
Q. Are there plans to construct a new Bell Tower?
A. Not at this time. The initial estimates to build another tower similar in scope and size range from $180,000 and above. We do not have the funding at this time to consider building a similar tower.
 
Q. What will happen to the chimes and carillon bells?
A. The Bell Tower only holds the speakers for the carillon bell system. The speakers will be removed prior to the demolition and relocated to another site on the roof of the existing building. The music and chimes from the carillon bells will continue.
 
Q. Can we still access the building through the entrance near the former sanctuary and offices during the demolition?
A. Yes, the entrance near the offices will remain open. Part of the parking lot will be cordoned off during the demolition process to ensure the safety of our people. Plans to mark off part of the parking lot will be available prior to the demolition.
 
Q. Will the cross on top of the Bell Tower be retained?
A. Yes. The cross will be retained and we are currently exploring ways in which to relocate and display the cross properly.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Farewell to a landmark: Bell Tower to be razed

 
It has stood for more than forty years, serving as a constant witness to the work and ministry of the church and a familiar landmark for the community. For decades, the chimes and carillon bells have brought music and beauty to the congregation and the surrounding neighborhood. The Bell Tower has served its purpose well.
 
As you recall, the Trustees unanimously recommended razing the structure due to serious concerns related to integrity of the brick façade surrounding the metal infrastructure. A chemical adhesive used in the original construction process to bind the bricks to the metal supports has shown signs of deterioration and weakness, resulting in numerous cracks and fissures in the brick exterior. The danger is not in the metal infrastructure but primarily with the possibility of bricks becoming dislodged, which poses a serious safety concern.
 
While none of us want to lose the Bell Tower, the safety issues cannot be ignored. Upon the recommendation of the Trustees to remove the Bell Tower, we hosted a Town Hall meeting last Fall to bring the congregation up-to-date and invite and answer any questions that might arise.
 
Here are a few questions and answers that might be helpful:
 
Q. When will the Bell Tower be removed?
A. As scheduled, the demolition project will take place between April 3 and April 12, 2013.
 
Q. Could the Bell Tower be repaired?
A. No. The structural engineering reports stated the condition of the bricks and adhesive made it virtually impossible to repair.
 
Q. Are there plans to construct a new Bell Tower?
A. Not at this time. The initial estimates to build another tower similar in scope and size range from $180,000 and above. We do not have the funding at this time to consider building a similar tower.
 
Q. What will happen to the chimes and carillon bells?
A. The Bell Tower only holds the speakers for the carillon bell system. The speakers will be removed prior to the demolition and relocated to another site on the roof of the existing building. The music and chimes from the carillon bells will continue.
 
Q. Can we still access the building through the entrance near the former sanctuary and offices during the demolition?
A. Yes, the entrance near the offices will remain open. Part of the parking lot will be cordoned off during the demolition process to ensure the safety of our people. Plans to mark off part of the parking lot will be available prior to the demolition.
 
Q. Will the cross on top of the Bell Tower be retained?
A. Yes. The cross will be retained and we are currently exploring ways in which to relocate and display the cross properly.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Please reserve a room for your meeting at the church (and help us be responsible energy stewards)

 
Arborlawn is such an active church. We are extremely blessed to have so many wonderful events, classes, missions, ministries, fellowship festivities, and discipleship opportunities. But a challenge of this type of blessing is the organization and logistics of the meeting spaces and resources for the activities. (We're up to it, though!)
 
One very important resource we must all consider is the energy to power the air conditioning and lighting in our spaces. To that end, we've entered into a business relationship with an organization called Ideal Impact to help us with energy conservation and good stewardship. Ideal Impact will work with Arborlawn to help us program and schedule thermostats so we can maximize energy efficiency.
 
Because of this new energy conservation strategy, now more than ever before we are asking classes, organizations, ministries, groups, and individuals who hold meetings at Arborlawn to please use our Event Request Form to reserve meeting spaces and resources (such as tables, audio/visual systems, child care, etc.).
 
The Event Request Form is available in the church office. Or you can contact Sherry Roth to have a form emailed to you. Or you can download it from our web site.
 
Thank you so much for helping us be good stewards of the facilities we've been given by God and entrusted to administer.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Trustees recommend demolition of Bell Tower

 
By Ben Disney
 
An open town hall meeting was held this past Sunday (Oct. 21) to share information regarding the Arborlawn Bell Tower and to discuss the plan of action recommended by the Trustees. We recognize the Bell Tower has served as a visible part of the church landscape for many years and is an important part of our identity and visibility in the community. The primary issue is the exterior brick, which has experienced decades of stress and cracking compounded by a material used in the original construction which has weakened the mortar in some places. After a lengthy and exhaustive investigation of options, the Trustees of Arborlawn are recommending the demolition of the tower in light of safety concerns. The tower is not in danger of collapsing. The concern is with the exterior façade and the possibility of a brick becoming dislodged and causing injury or damage. Unfortunately, the problem caused by the material used in the original construction makes the repair of the tower virtually impossible.
 
In summary:
 
* The Trustees are recommending the demolition of the Bell Tower in light of safety concerns.
 
* Five different proposals for the demolition project were reviewed by the Trustees. The recommended proposed cost for the project was $21,050.63.
 
* There is no designated funding available for the project since this was an unexpected and non-budgeted expense. We will raise the money necessary through donations and additional funds. If you would like to contribute to the effort, there is a Bell Tower demolition fund now set up through the church office. Work will begin when we have the funds in place.
 
* There are no immediate plans to rebuild the tower, but we have secured bids for those who want more information about the possibility of replacing it with a new tower.
 
* The carillon bells, a generous gift from Bill and Pat Claypool, will be recovered and reinstalled at another location at the church so that we may continue to enjoy the music.
 
* The cross on top of the Bell Tower will also be retained by the church.
 
Though we’re grieved by the demolition of such a visible part of our church campus, we must do everything we can to ensure the safety of our people. We continue to do everything we can to be open, transparent, and honest about the issues that arise and to address them responsibly. We express our deep appreciation to the Trustees for their leadership and hard work on our behalf. If you have any questions please contact Larry Dillon (chair of our Trustees) or Ben Disney.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Town Hall meeting Sunday, Oct. 21

 
On Sunday, Oct. 21, after the 11 a.m. and 11:11 a.m. services, we’ll host a town hall meeting in the Worship Center to share information regarding safety issues and concerns related to the Bell Tower. The internal structure of the Tower is not at risk, but over the past four decades the brick exterior has shown signs of stress.
 
In response, the Trustees authorized two structural engineering reports which clarify the source of the problem, particularly with the exterior brick. In light of the reports, the Trustees of Arborlawn have now recommended a plan of action to address the concerns related to the tower.
 
We simply want to convey the information to the congregation, explain the situation, discuss the options available, and recommend a course of action. We hope you’ll join us after church on Oct. 21 in the Worship Center.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Dub-Mobile drivers sought

 
You've probably seen the Dub-Mobile whizzing around our parking lot, taking riders to and from Sunday School classes, church services, and other events. We all look at that and remember Dub Graves fondly. He taught us so much about service to God through being available to people.
 

Now you can help honor Dub's memory and serve others by being a volunteer driver of the Dub-Mobile. Initially, we are specifically asking for drivers who can pick people up at their cars in the parking lot and drive them to the Sanctuary 15 minutes before the 8:45 a.m. service, the 9:45 a.m. Sunday school hour, and the 11 a.m. service.
 
Are you one of our future drivers? If so, contact Bryan Bellamy (817-731-0701).
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Alternative entrance on the west side of the Sanctuary

 
By Ben Disney
 
Due to construction of the Elizabeth Cramer Chapel, the west entrance to the Arborlawn Sanctuary will be partially blocked for the duration of the project. You can still enter the Lower Commons from the west side through the double doors next to the main entrance.
 
Ushers and greeters will be on hand to guide you as we make the temporary adjustments. You’ll still be able to park on the west side of the building and enter with relative ease. An open sidewalk next to the construction trailer will lead you to the secondary entrance. The secondary entrance is special-needs accessible and leads to a door near the elevator in the Lower Commons area.
 
We simply want to alert you to the minor inconvenience posed by the construction of the Elizabeth Cramer Chapel so you are aware of the alternative entrance when you arrive at the church. This minor inconvenience, of course, is also a wonderful sign of growth and a celebration of the remarkable gift of the Elizabeth Cramer Chapel to the people of our congregation and community.
 
The people of Arborlawn have a gift for dealing with change and minor inconveniences better than anyone I know. We never lose sight of the big picture or the real blessing. A partially blocked entrance is not an inconvenience or a source of frustration; it’s a sign that God is at work in this place called Arborlawn.
 
Thanks be to God for holy inconveniences. Thank you for being the church you are.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Groundbreaking July 22 for the Elizabeth Cramer Chapel

 
Join us this Sunday, July 22, at 12:15 p.m. for a special groundbreaking ceremony as we begin construction of the Elizabeth Cramer Chapel. The ceremony will take place outside the west doors of the Sanctuary on the future site of the Elizabeth Cramer Chapel. The chapel is made possible by the remarkable generosity of Jud Cramer and family.
 

We’re deeply grateful for the extraordinary gift and excited about the important role the Chapel will play in our future ministry with our congregation and community. We invite you to join us this Sunday as we celebrate the beginning phase of the Elizabeth Cramer Chapel.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

The Dub Mobile has arrived!

 
Perhaps you’ve already seen the new golf cart patrolling the parking lots and transporting people to the door of the church. That cart is a special gift given to Arborlawn by the friends and family of Dub Graves. It’s affectionately known as the “Dub Mobile” in honor of one of the more remarkable men we’ve known and in keeping with his love of people and fun.
 
The “Dub Mobile” has already been used to transport hundreds of guests who came to the Fourth of July concert and others who came to worship with us this past Sunday. We recently blessed the golf cart and commissioned it to serve others in memory and appreciation of Dub Graves. If you’re wondering about how we can bless a golf cart, go back and read Acts 8:26-40. It’s not just a golf cart; it’s a chariot that leads people to Jesus.
 

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ArborlawnUMC.org

Family Life Center floor taking shape in old Sanctuary

 
As we noted in a special email blast late last week, our old Sanctuary is undergoing changes that will eventually result in our church having a Family Life Center!
 
As part of that larger process, the floor is now down and being fused together. The floor stripes for basketball and volleyball still need to be painted. At that point we will completely restrict access until the floor is cured and set properly.
 

Everyone's invited to come see the finished floor at a luncheon on May 6 after the late worship services. On that day we'll be holding the final luncheon of the year Student Summer Missions, and we're excited to celebrate the new floor, confirmands, and summer missions all in one event.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Renovation of the former Sanctuary under way!

 
By Ben Disney
 
We’re pleased to announce that work has begun on a project designed to convert the former sanctuary space into a recreational, multi-purpose facility. It’s an exciting time in the life of our church! We’ve received a generous gift from an anonymous donor expressing a desire to do something specifically for the students and children of our church. The donation was placed in a designated fund and we now have the resources to create a wonderful multi-purpose recreational facility that will be used by children, students and people of all ages and stages in our congregation and community.
 

You’ll notice several obvious changes and temporary disruptions when you come to the church, the first being the pews which are temporarily set in the Gathering Area awaiting distribution. Some of the pews in the former sanctuary have already found a home in a church in Arkansas. The remaining pews are temporarily set aside in the Gathering Area and will be picked up by members of another church sometime in the next two weeks. You’ll also find a dumpster at the double glass doors at the west entrance to the Gathering Area. The dumpster is there temporarily as the old flooring is taken up and discarded. You can still enter the building from the west side by the double glass doors or the single glass door near the Chancel Choir rehearsal room.
 
We want to offer a special word of appreciation to the members of the Saints and Sinners Sunday School class and others who have been passionate advocates of the project and involved in the preparation and planning for the conversion. All the volunteers have been remarkable. Once the project is complete, we’ll have a wonderful facility that will house all kinds of recreational activities, congregational events, concerts, and special events.
 
We’re blessed to have such a remarkable and generous donation in hand and grateful that we will soon have a wonderful recreational, multi-purpose addition to the church to help us serve the people of our church and community.
 
It’s an exciting time to be at Arborlawn. God is good. Our faith is strong. Our people are generous. Our future is bright.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Spring is here, and the gardens are looking great

 
With spring in full force, one doesn't have to look too far around Arborlawn to see the beauty of the season. Ponder the wonderful flowers and plants you see landscaped around the premises.
 

When you see Tom Martin, please say a big thanks to him for the great work he does in keeping our plants and flowers so healthy. The man obviously has an accomplished green thumb.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Reserving rooms for Arborlawn events

God has blessed us with some wonderful new meeting spaces, and many groups are using them for important ministry work. If your group is planning a meeting or event, please start by contacting Sherry Roth (or 817-731-0701) in the church office to get your plans on our resource calendar.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

The Spoken Word in a Sacred Place - Aug. 22-26, 6-8 p.m. each night

Join us every night this week (Aug. 22-26) from 6-8 p.m. each night as volunteers read selected scriptures aloud in the new Worship Center and new Sanctuary. Hear the word of God in fifteen minute intervals as we prepare to move into our new facilities.
 

We still have some spots available. If you're interested in reading, please call the church office at 817-731-0701.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org