March 18, 2021

Dear Ascension Family, 
 
In May 2018, we launched our three-year "Let Your Light Shine" Capital Campaign, knowing we had hard but important work ahead of us. No one could have imagined our church buildings and grounds would take a direct hit from a microburst hailstorm in 2019 and that our brothers and sisters around the world would experience a pandemic in 2020 that continues to severely impact all our lives. 
 
We enter the final phase of our campaign, knowing the hailstorm destruction, with insurance proceeds to supplement the campaign funds received, unexpectedly aided in funding the improvements we set out to complete. We are also grateful for completed renovations that allowed us to pivot, with relative ease, to a new pandemic-driven normal. 
 
We began our improvements in the summer of 2018, with renovations to our Ascension Day School (ADS) and younger children formation classrooms and children’s chapel. The updates helped us maximize the use of all of these spaces. ADS continued to grow and thrive on this investment, and parents and others observing the changes responded by contributing to the campaign. These additional financial commitments allowed us to replace the young children’s playground equipment. 
 
The renovation of the Youth and Outreach Center was next. This process took longer than we anticipated, in part because we were determined to get it right for present needs and long-term future ministry work. Creating a space that was both functional for years to come and inviting was important. Many of you have shared with me your positive reactions to the dramatic transformational improvements. 
 
The timing of the Youth and Outreach Center's completion at the end of 2019, a mere two months before the pandemic, has hindered us from fully utilizing this space. Despite the pandemic, these renovations were a tremendous blessing. In March 2020, our Food Pantry shifted to a pandemic ready model; and aided by the expanded space, frozen food storage capacity, and new design concept, we distributed more food last year than ever before. This space also hosts a new ADS early elementary class to serve a wider community, and we launched our outdoor worship services from the Center's pergola. 

Our main building experienced extraordinary improvements as well. The stucco exterior was repaired, and maintenance was performed following the storm. 

· The digital sign was replaced with a newer model allowing for moving graphics and a higher resolution. 
· The lighting system and bulbs were replaced in the Nave, Narthex, Parish Hall, Parlor, and Rector’s office. 
· The sound system was replaced in the Nave, and its reach was expanded to adjacent spaces as well. These improvements included an induction loop to assist those with hearing assistive devices. 
· The walls were repainted in the Nave, Narthex, Choir Room, Parish Hall, Hallways, Administrative Lobby, and Library. 
· The floors were replaced in the Parish Hall, Choir Room, Administrative Lobby and Library. 
· A new welcome center was installed in the Narthex. 
· The garden shed was relocated and replaced with a larger, more secure storage building. 
· The HVAC controller was replaced. 
· The Wi-Fi access points, firewall, and network switches were replaced. 

Many members have remarked that our facilities have never looked better. I am looking forward to our return to campus so that everyone can see and enjoy these improvements firsthand. In the meantime, we will post additional pictures of the completed renovation work and the ongoing ministry work that’s happening in the renovated spaces. 

The entire parish worked to make these improvements possible. Your contributions and other designated resources totaling $822,136 received for the campaign to date allowed us to make financial and construction commitments three years ago. The storm allowed us to expand some of what was done as repairs overlapped with work we had planned to do. Your extraordinary generosity and commitment to regular giving throughout the pandemic helped us further as Cares Act monies paid salaries for a short time last summer, freeing up almost $100,000 to be directed to cover construction costs in excess of monies pledged and received. 
 
The scheduled work is complete. As we finish out the final months of the campaign and in anticipation of receiving the last of the funds from outstanding pledges over the next three months, we're grateful to be in a good place financially. Never to be satisfied with the status quo, and through seeking God’s direction in moving forward, we have the opportunity to complete two critical projects if the parish is willing and able to extend its commitment a bit further to realize these projects. 
 
Our first project is the installation of pan tilt Zoom cameras in the Nave. We will need to shift to these cameras to continue live streaming worship when there are people in the pews, hopefully in a few short months. 
 
The other significant project is replacing the flooring in the Narthex and hallways, a line item in the original capital campaign renovations that was scaled back to adjust to be in line with the initial amount of pledged funds. The existing wooden triangular planter areas in the Narthex, in particular, represent a safety hazard, and additionally, this improvement would also enhance our welcome and functionality. 
 
It is exciting to consider that with only an additional collective commitment of $75,000, which is less than 8% of the $983,091 construction costs incurred to date, we can complete these two projects and Let Our Light Shine to better serve God, you, and our neighbors. If you are interested in contributing for the funding of the additional projects in any amount, please get in touch with me. If we receive adequate funding, we’d like to continue the construction work while the building is closed due to pandemic precautions. You’re also welcome to donate directly through our website www.ascensiondallas.org/give or drop a check in the mail or hand-deliver your contribution to the church office. 
 
I am grateful for your prayerful consideration of this request and continued support of the capital campaign. I look forward to hearing from you. 
 
Blessings, 

The Rev. Paul Klitzke
paul.klitzke@ascensiondallas.org