the Bethel idea

Please remember in your prayers the Bethel idea Building Committee:

For patience and openness of congregation members to the possibilities, and for faith to accept challenges associated with the development. Amen.

 

Link to Bethel idea Building Committee & Sub Committees

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THANK YOU for your participation!

 

Thanks to everyone who participated in the Church Assessment Tool (CAT) survey in March. The results will be tabulated, shared with congregational leadership, and then with the congregation.

 

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From Pastor Scot Sorensen, March 6, 2013

 

PLANNING OUR FUTURE TOGETHER!

As you may be aware, Bethel is in the midst of a time of discernment during which we are gathering information to guide our decisions about the Bethel Idea specifically and our future in general. Recently, you have heard and read about one aspect of this process: The Church Assessment Tool (CAT). This tool will provide a clearer picture of who we are as a church and what directions might be important for our future. Your response is very important to us.

We are asking the entire membership of Bethel to participate in the CAT. Each active member of the church in your household that is over the age of 16 and capable of responding to the questions is invited to participate. We ask that you take the on-line assessment as soon as possible, but before March 31. All answers are strictly confidential. We have no way of matching any assessment to a particular person, so please feel free to candidly share your perceptions, opinions and experiences. The assessment will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. Please set aside enough time to complete the survey all at one time. Our future together is dependent on your participation and honest answers.

Many thanks,
Pastor Scot

 

PDF of February 25, 2013 Letter to Congregation

 

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From Pastor Scot Sorensen, January 16, 2013 Bethelite:

Executive Summary Architect of Design Selection Process

The Selection Team: The Site Preparedness Committee (formerly the Urban Site Committee) was tasked with the responsibility to select a design architect for the Bethel idea.  The members of that committee are: Jill Derr (chair), Randy Alexander, Vern Leibbrandt, Paul Moen, Peder Moren, Tim Semmann, Diane Wiedenbeck, Fred Zimmermann, and staff members Darren Chicks, Alice Mowbray and Pastor Scot Sorensen.

The Process: In September ten local and regional architectural firms were given a Request for Proposal (RFP) and submitted their interest and qualifications for the Bethel Idea project.  Those proposals were reviewed and three firms were selected to enter a design competition.  The three competing firms were Aro Eberle Architects/Cunningham Group, BWZ Architects and Strang Inc. They were all provided the Master Site Plan document submitted to the city and asked to provide exterior elevations and floor plans.  In early November all three architectural firms presented their design proposals to the committee. 

The three proposals were then submitted for peer review.  The peer review noted such things as total square footage, code compliance and cost estimates.  The ingress and egress of each design was submitted to the City of Madison traffic/parking for their review.

All three designs, and all three firms showed creativity as well as demonstrated experience in working with client, community and city.  All three firms were enthusiastic about the possibility to partner with Bethel in this project.

The Selection: After several meetings, detailed peer review and honest conversation the Committee recommends Aro Eberle Architects/Cunningham Group to be the Architect of Design for our Bethel Idea.  Their stated goals for the project are:

• Provide ways to better serve existing ministries
• Allow for development of new ministry programs
• Broaden outreach to the community – in form and function strengthen relationships through collaboration during design, entitlement and construction
• Secure parking for Bethel Lutheran
• Create logical and efficient traffic flow for various programs
• Create compelling, sustainable building design embraced by the congregation and community

These goals are met in a design with a tapered building off of Carroll Street which serves as welcoming arms and provides logical entry way for the entire campus.  The design also features one-way entrance to the underground parking garage off of Johnson Street and one-way exit onto Gorham Street. 

The design creates a strong, efficient circulation spine between the new and existing building.  It provides an open, yet secure outdoor daycare space maximizing daylight.  There is a new, welcoming entrance off of Carroll Street with a shared public garden inviting pedestrians on to the campus.  There is a centralized vertical circulation that will efficiently serve all levels.  There is a clean and separate vehicle circulation between parking garage and day care drop off.

The design has some downsides that will need to be addressed.  The short-term surface parking count is low, only 12 space.  There is along travel path for day care drop off.  An additional stairwell will be needed to service the third level where the gymnasiums are located and the central stairwell will need be enclosed.  As currently drawn the third floor extends over the property line and more restrooms will be needed on the third floor, too.

Even with the stated downsides of the proposed design, the selection committee did not see those as insurmountable obstacles. 

 

Executive Summary Capital Campaign Consultant Selection Process

The Selection Team: Barb Armstrong, Bob Westervelt, Ed Young and Pastor Scot Sorensen

The Process: After reviewing references, four national firms were selected to be interviewed; Horizons Stewardship, Kairos & Associates, James D. Klote & Associates, and RSI Stewardship.  The interviews were held in October and three of the four firms sent the consultant who would be assigned to Bethel for the interview.

The Selection:  The selection team was impressed with three of the four firms interviewed.  The relative costs of each of those three firms were similar.  In the end, the selection came down to “fit” and “feel.”  Two finalists were chosen and more reference checks were researched.  Both received glowing referrals from congregations who would choose them again.  In the end, the selection team chose Kairos & Associates and the Rev. Blair Anderson to be Bethel’s ministry partner in leading our capital campaign. 

The Phases: There will be four phases to the campaign.  Phase One is the Listening Phase.  During this time period in the winter/spring small group and individual interviews will be held, along with a full congregational online assessment.  Phase Two will be to take the learning’s from the Listening Phase and apply them to the Preparing Phase.  At this time in the spring/summer the appeal will be designed and the leadership team recruited and trained.  Phase Three is the Inspiration Phase where communication of the Bethel Idea, the vision and our Biblical, faithful response as stewards will be explored.  Finally, during the Fulfilling Phase commitments will be received and celebrated and a long-term tracking strategy implemented.  This final phase will take place in the fall.

 

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From Pastor Scot Sorensen, November 21, 2012 Bethelite:

At a Special Congregational Meeting in May, the Church Council was charged by the Congregation to move forward with the Bethel idea. I want to take this opportunity to share with you the progress that has been made.

On September 11 an information and organizational meeting was held to launch all of the Building Sub-Committees. These sub-committees (listed on the Bethel website), are Child Care, Congregational Use, Education, Food Service, Parking, Recreation & Sports, and Operations Development. Subsequently, one more Sub-Committee has been added, Luther's Table. They continue to meet regularly and if you are interested, I encourage you to go the Bethel website, read the background and progress to date and then contact: council@bethel-madison.org.

Another group that has remained busy is the former Urban Site Committee, now named the Site Preparedness Committee. This group is charged with the relocation of the Steensland House and is shepherding that process forward. They also were charged with doing the research for architecture selection and to bring that selection to the congregation. This fall, a number of architectural firms were invited to participate in, what I will call, a sort of design competition. Three local firms were chosen to submit their vision of the Bethel idea. Those three designs are now under independent peer review and will subsequently be evaluated by the Committee. Their recommendation will be brought before the congregation.

Yet another group that has been at work is the Capital Campaign Research team. This group's recommendation is that Bethel engage the services of a stewardship consultant to assist with a capital campaign. Over the past few months a number of national stewardship firms were researched and four were interviewed. Their selection will also be coming before the congregation.

In early January, both on a Sunday morning at the 10:15 am Adult education time slot, as well as at other times during the week and possibly throughout the month, an update from all of these groups will be brought before the congregation in open forum settings. Then, at the Annual Meeting scheduled for Sunday, January 27, the congregation will have an opportunity to vote on the Architect for the Bethel idea, as well as select the Stewardship Consulting firm to assist with our capital campaign.

These are exciting days in the life of Bethel. God has put a passion within our hearts to love and serve our neighbor in new and old ways. God has invited us to continue this 160 year journey of being a blessing of God on the corner of Wisconsin and Johnson and around the world. Even after Architects have been selected and a Capital Campaign firm chosen, our work will be just beginning. A myriad of details still need to be determined as the scope and shape of the Bethel idea continues to be formed. Your voice, passion and participation are needed and I invite you to connect with any of the sub-committees, and most importantly, I would ask you to be in prayer… pray as together we continue to discern God's promised and preferred future for Bethel Lutheran Church.

 

- Pastor Scot Sorensen

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Updated 3/11/2013

Building Committee

Paul Moen - Chair

Vern Leibbrandt, Tim Semmann, Bev Thom - Assistants to Chair

 

Building Sub-Committees

Congregational Use - Al Schultz

Operations Development - Kevin Gould

Childcare - Jenee Jerome

After School / Summer Programming - Dennis Barber

Recreation & Sports - Norv Bernhardt

Parking - Dan Murray

Food Service - Nancy Young

Luther's Table - Gisela Kutzbach

 

If you would like to join a subcommittee, send your name, contact information and subcommittee preference to council@bethel-madison.org.

 

Site Readiness Committee(formerly the Urban Site Committee): Jill Derr (chair), Randy Alexander, Vern Leibbrandt, Paul Moen, Peder Moren, Tim Semmann, Diane Wiedenbeck, Fred Zimmermann, and staff members Darren Chicks, Alice Mowbray, Pastor Scot Sorensen.

 

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Results of the Special Congregational Meeting – May 20, 2012

Reports were received from Jill Derr, Chair of the Urban Site Committee, and from Pr. Sorensen, on the current discernment process for the expansion. Following a question and answer period, all three motions were approved by the Bethel membership in attendance. With this congregational affirmation, Bethel Lutheran Church will continue to be a vibrant community of faith, centered in worship, growing in discipleship, serving with Christ-like love. New areas of mission, ministry and service will be open to us as even more people come to find hope, health, compassion and community here on the Bethel campus.

Shortly, a Building Committee will be formed that will have the task of developing sub-committees that will work to define the various areas of the Bethel idea. If you have a strong interest in one of these areas, or a general interest and just want to help, please sign-up:

· Education & Child Care

· Community Center

· Congregational Uses

· Recreational & Sports

· Underground Parking

· Food Service

· General

If you would like to help, please sign-up at the Reception desk, or through the Urban Site Committee email: urbansite@bethel-madison.org . Please include your name, email and phone.

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Special Congregational Meeting
May 20, 2012 2:00 pm ‐ 4:00 pm

Three motions for consideration will come before the congregation:

Motion No. 1 The congregation of Bethel Lutheran Church reaffirms their support of the Bethel idea.

 

Motion No. 2 The Church Council is empowered to form a Building Committee and all necessary subcommittees to move the Bethel Idea forward so that Schematic Design drawings may be brought before the congregation at a future date for congregational approval.

Motion No. 3 The Church Council is empowered to form a Capital Campaign selection committee who shall research capital financing options and bring before the congregation a capital campaign plan proposal.

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The next step in this on-going discussion of planned expansion for Bethel's downtown campus will focus on Deep Listening Bible studies for Bethel members April 18 - May 9, developed and written by Pr. Sorensen. --Urban Site Committee

Deep Listening Bible Study, April 18 ‐ May 9

Beginning April 18, Pr. Scot will lead this four week Bible Study. For the past several years, the Bethel idea has stirred the hearts and imaginations of the Bethel community. Now it is time for the Bethel community to gather together in a short season of Bible study and discernment to gain focus for the next steps. You will be asked to listen deeply to the scriptures and one another as we collectively discern God's preferred and promised future. Besides a weekly study led by Pr. Sorensen, every existing group will be encouraged to use prepared studies and response forms as the process of discernment moves forward. Wednesday nights, Dinner 6:00 ‐ 6:45, Study 6:45 ‐ 7:45 pm.

 

Week 1 Study Guide

Week 2 Study Guide

Week 3 Study Guide

 

Here are the comments received during the four week Deep Listening Bible Study sessions. Thank you for your participation and intentional discernment during this early stage of the Bethel campus expansion process.

 

Week 1 - Becoming - Comments

Week 2 - Enthusiastic - Comments

Week 3 - Disciples - Comments

Week 4 - Sent - Comments

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Congregational Letter dated April 26, 2012

Letter from Senior Pastor Scot Sorensen, Church Council President Vern Leibbrandt, and Urban Site Committee Chair Jill Derr to Bethel Lutheran Church Community

 

the Bethel idea Letter of Intent

Letter from Bethel Church Council President, Al Schultz to City of Madison Dept of Planning and Development RE: Intent, Bethel Expansion, PUD-GDP

 

the Bethel idea Land Use Application

Land Use Application to Madison Plan Commission

 

the Bethel idea Zoning Text

Zoning Text – Bethel Lutheran Expansion; followed by a Site Plan, Parking Level layouts, First-Second-Third-Mezzanine Floor Plans, Elevation from (South direction)Carroll St - from (East direction)Johnson St -  from (North direction) Entry Court next to Sanctuary - from (West direction) Gorham St, Building Sections, Massing Elevation – from Johnson St & Gorham St

 

For further information and questions, please email

Urban Site Committee | Email