Maple Grove
Renovation Project

Why We Must Do It

How We Will Do It

When We Can Begin

Architect's sketch of proposed renovation

Our Need to Renovate

Maple Grove United Church has encountered a “crisis of success”.

This success is built on the warmth of our congregation, a culture of inclusiveness based on a desire to be a Golden Rule Church, a wide range of activities in the community (both local and global), a healthy mix of members and adherents, and an uplifting leader in our minister.

But our building does not let us support our mission. Beyond the obvious fact that it is aging and outmoded, we need to make changes if we are to preserve and expand on our success. We need facilities to accommodate growth, and space to support church activities.

To be a Golden Rule Church, we must grant access to all who seek admittance. As Jesus admonished in Luke 14:13 “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind”. Our building must meet the tests that Morar put to us a while ago:

Does it enhance our worship?
Does it enable us to serve others better?
Is it going to improve our hospitality?

These were the goals that motivated our renovation planning and the design that the congregation approved (see the links in the navigation panel on the left).

How We Will Do It

Pie-chart of our total fund-raising goal

Our congregation has decided that we must transform the church building. Now we must provide the means to accomplish it.

We believe the cost of what we should do is approximately $2 1/2 million. We are asking members and adherents to provide half of this in direct givings. Together with our signature gift of $250,000 already received from The Toronto-Dominion Bank, our fundraisers, and limited borrowings and other actions, we believe this goal is possible.

To achieve our direct givings target, we need to raise five times the total givings (envelope, PAR, and collection plate) that were made to the Church in 2005. Over five years, this would mean doubling that amount each year.

We know that some of us cannot afford to give this, so we ask that we each give what we can afford. We are truly mindful of Jesus' lesson in Mark 12:42-43 — A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury."’

We hope some of us can individually exceed the target so that any shortfall can be cured. But if most of us can meet the target, we will succeed. More details are in this Powerpoint presentation by Alan Wheable to the Maple Grove Men's Group, which can be found here.

Let us make our theme Paul's comment in his second letter to the Corinthians (9:7):"Each of you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

When Will We Renovate and What Will We Do?

This is in your hands. No one is more anxious than your Renovation Committee to get on with the job. But your committee has promised that we won’t put the Church at financial risk. We need to know what our congregation will do in response to this request.

We ask you therefore not only to meet or exceed the target but do so early, or at least give us your firm pledge early. We are pleased to say that some members have already met or exceeded their individual givings target.

Pledge forms have been provided on this website in both Microsoft Word and Adobe PDF formats that you may download for printing and filling out.

Please make use of the pledge form, and:

Give Large
Give Early
Carry the Message

Thank you, on behalf of the Renovation Committee and Maple Grove United Church.

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Maple GroveRenovation Project

Why We Must Do It How We Will Do It When We Can Begin

Maple Grove
Renovation Project

Why We Must Do It

How We Will Do It

When We Can Begin