A message to the Congregation
Frequently Asked Questions – November 14, 2022
What is P&E’s updated recommendation?
P&E narrowed the Art Task Force’s recommendation to focus on replacing the four stained glass medallions of concern and referred the decision to replace the protective window coverings to the Property Committee. Additionally, based on the congregational feedback, P&E’s recommendation includes providing a matching community grant and offering an opportunity for the congregation to contribute to the projects. Other aspects of the Arts Task Force’s recommendations remain unchanged, including contextualizing the removed and remaining images and continuing the work of engaging and educating the congregation on issues of racial justice.
Why are we not replacing the protective coverings of all the stained glass as part of this work?
Before committing approximately $300,000 to replace the protective coverings, P&E felt it was prudent to assess how effective they have been at preserving and protecting our windows. When they were installed approximately 40 years ago, the Lexan window coverings were fairly new technology, and their long-term effectiveness was untested. For example, while they have protected the windows from physical damage, it’s possible that they have trapped heat or moisture as well. Replacing the medallions identified by the Arts Task Force will require the removal of the protective coverings from the transept windows; that will afford the Property Committee an opportunity to inspect the windows and make an informed decision about how best to maintain them.
Does this undermine the substance of the Arts Task Force’s recommendations?
No. While studying the windows, the Task Force became aware that the protective coverings are nearing the end of their effective life and included that information in its Report as a matter of good stewardship. The Arts Task Force has affirmed that this recommendation was not central to its charge, and the decision whether to replace the coverings is purely an issue of building maintenance.
Why would Covenant make a matching grant to Habitat as part of this work?
Covenant has a long history of supporting community partners and views this as an opportunity to make a contribution associated with this work. The Mission and Outreach Ministry recommended to P&E that Covenant provide a matching grant to Habitat For Humanity of the Charlotte Region in support of the Meadows at Plato Price, an affordable housing development under construction in west Charlotte. The site is the former location of the Plato Price School, the centerpiece of a thriving African American neighborhood that closed in the 1960s.
How much will the project cost?
Based on a proposal from Willett Hauser Architectural Glass Inc. (which originally designed and installed the windows), we estimate the cost to remove and replace the four stained glass medallions (without replacing the protective coverings for those windows) to be $105,000. A matching grant of $105,000 would be made to Habitat. Thus, the anticipated net cost for this project is $210,000.
Any future cost for contextualizing the removed and remaining images in the windows will be determined by the new task force.
How will this project be funded?
We would establish a designated Habitat/Stained Glass fund to which interested members and friends of Covenant can donate. Money raised would be split evenly between the replacing the four stained glass medallions and the Habitat contribution. None of the funds will come from the annual budget (i.e., pledge dollars). If contributions exceed the amount necessary to complete both projects, the excess would be divided between an additional grant to Habitat and a reserve fund for future restoration of our stained glass windows.
If this plan is adopted by Session, donations to the Habitat/Stained Glass fund would be accepted through March 1, 2023.
Will this impact our existing Mission and Outreach budget?
This is a special giving opportunity that is not part of our annual budget and is in addition to our planned Mission and Outreach activities.
Who will be on the next task force(s)?
P&E will select members for the next task force(s). As is our tradition, the task force will consist of a broad range of perspectives and diverse representation.
Are all members of Session reading the letters submitted by the congregation?
Yes, Session is reading and carefully considering each letter. We greatly appreciate the input from the letters and learning sessions.
Will there be additional opportunities to learn from this work?
Yes, we view this as an ongoing learning opportunity. The new task force(s) will make recommendations on how we will contextualize the removed and remaining images. Additionally, among the recommendations is that Covenant will continue the work of engaging and educating the congregation on issues of racial justice.
P&E narrowed the Art Task Force’s recommendation to focus on replacing the four stained glass medallions of concern and referred the decision to replace the protective window coverings to the Property Committee. Additionally, based on the congregational feedback, P&E’s recommendation includes providing a matching community grant and offering an opportunity for the congregation to contribute to the projects. Other aspects of the Arts Task Force’s recommendations remain unchanged, including contextualizing the removed and remaining images and continuing the work of engaging and educating the congregation on issues of racial justice.
Why are we not replacing the protective coverings of all the stained glass as part of this work?
Before committing approximately $300,000 to replace the protective coverings, P&E felt it was prudent to assess how effective they have been at preserving and protecting our windows. When they were installed approximately 40 years ago, the Lexan window coverings were fairly new technology, and their long-term effectiveness was untested. For example, while they have protected the windows from physical damage, it’s possible that they have trapped heat or moisture as well. Replacing the medallions identified by the Arts Task Force will require the removal of the protective coverings from the transept windows; that will afford the Property Committee an opportunity to inspect the windows and make an informed decision about how best to maintain them.
Does this undermine the substance of the Arts Task Force’s recommendations?
No. While studying the windows, the Task Force became aware that the protective coverings are nearing the end of their effective life and included that information in its Report as a matter of good stewardship. The Arts Task Force has affirmed that this recommendation was not central to its charge, and the decision whether to replace the coverings is purely an issue of building maintenance.
Why would Covenant make a matching grant to Habitat as part of this work?
Covenant has a long history of supporting community partners and views this as an opportunity to make a contribution associated with this work. The Mission and Outreach Ministry recommended to P&E that Covenant provide a matching grant to Habitat For Humanity of the Charlotte Region in support of the Meadows at Plato Price, an affordable housing development under construction in west Charlotte. The site is the former location of the Plato Price School, the centerpiece of a thriving African American neighborhood that closed in the 1960s.
How much will the project cost?
Based on a proposal from Willett Hauser Architectural Glass Inc. (which originally designed and installed the windows), we estimate the cost to remove and replace the four stained glass medallions (without replacing the protective coverings for those windows) to be $105,000. A matching grant of $105,000 would be made to Habitat. Thus, the anticipated net cost for this project is $210,000.
Any future cost for contextualizing the removed and remaining images in the windows will be determined by the new task force.
How will this project be funded?
We would establish a designated Habitat/Stained Glass fund to which interested members and friends of Covenant can donate. Money raised would be split evenly between the replacing the four stained glass medallions and the Habitat contribution. None of the funds will come from the annual budget (i.e., pledge dollars). If contributions exceed the amount necessary to complete both projects, the excess would be divided between an additional grant to Habitat and a reserve fund for future restoration of our stained glass windows.
If this plan is adopted by Session, donations to the Habitat/Stained Glass fund would be accepted through March 1, 2023.
Will this impact our existing Mission and Outreach budget?
This is a special giving opportunity that is not part of our annual budget and is in addition to our planned Mission and Outreach activities.
Who will be on the next task force(s)?
P&E will select members for the next task force(s). As is our tradition, the task force will consist of a broad range of perspectives and diverse representation.
Are all members of Session reading the letters submitted by the congregation?
Yes, Session is reading and carefully considering each letter. We greatly appreciate the input from the letters and learning sessions.
Will there be additional opportunities to learn from this work?
Yes, we view this as an ongoing learning opportunity. The new task force(s) will make recommendations on how we will contextualize the removed and remaining images. Additionally, among the recommendations is that Covenant will continue the work of engaging and educating the congregation on issues of racial justice.
