Question 1

Why did you name it the Together campaign?

Accepted Answer

A prayer team has been meeting for the past 18+ months and they have been led to this scripture:

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22).

Together as UALC, one body of believers with two campuses, we seek to build on the foundation of God’s Word, with Jesus Christ himself as the cornerstone. Together with previous generations who trusted God to build the church for us, now is the time for us to carry the mission forward for the sake of the generations to follow.

Question 2

What are the objectives of the Together campaign?

Accepted Answer

The Together campaign has two main objectives: 1) 100% participation. We want every person who calls UALC home to grow in Christ and strengthen the unity of our church by participating in this campaign. We invite everyone to a spiritually catalytic encounter with God about giving a financial sacrifice and about taking next steps of faith as the Spirit leads. 2) $10 million. We are seeking and praying for the funds to renovate our buildings and grounds to pursue our vision to be an Oasis of God’s Kingdom for the dry and thirsty world around us.

Question 3

What has been the process that led us to this campaign?

Accepted Answer

About two years ago, our church council formed an exploratory committee to consider how our buildings might be improved to serve our vision. A prayer committee was also established at the same time to pray for UALC throughout the whole process. The church council oversaw the exploratory process and subsequently voted: 1) to approve work with a design firm for initial design concepts; and later 2) to approve more detailed drawings and a $10 million fundraising campaign. General design ideas and priorities were also presented and discussed at the September 2022 Congregational Meeting (and subsequent "town hall" meeting), and in other public forums.

Question 4

Wow $10 million, that’s a lot of money. How will it be spent?

Accepted Answer

Our focus will be on our Lytham Road Campus, as that 60-year-old building is aging and in need of major infrastructure upgrades (sprinkler system, HVAC updates, expanded accessibility, etc.). We will renew our Lytham Road sanctuary, update our kids and youth spaces, expand and refresh the lobby, and improve our outdoor spaces at both Mill Run and Lytham Road as we welcome our neighbors and invite them in. Our award-winning preschool program will have updated space that fits its reputation as the best preschool in the region.

Question 5

I already give to UALC. How could I give more? Will this negatively impact our annual budget?

Accepted Answer

The Together campaign is about more than our finances (although Jesus talks more about money than any other subject!). We are praying that this season of focusing on what God has for our church both now and in the future will be the opportunity to grow deeply in our walk with the Lord. As we trust him with our finances, we are confident that he will strengthen our faith. What a great opportunity to trust him in all areas of our lives. Together gifts can be pledged over a 3-year period. They are gifts above and beyond our regular giving.

Question 6

Why don’t we just sell the Lytham Road Campus? It seems like we’d have the money and we’d all be in one place.

Accepted Answer

God led our founders to plant a church in Upper Arlington more than 60 years ago. Worship began in the basement of the first pastor’s home. Since then, UALC grew to include two campuses, one in Upper Arlington and one in Hilliard. We have a rare opportunity to bring the message of Jesus to a neighborhood that we are clearly a part of. We feel called to share the gospel both in Upper Arlington and Hilliard. The Lord brings people to us from throughout central Ohio.

Question 7

Is it really necessary to make all those infrastructure upgrades? It seems like we’ve done
just fine with the preschool as it is.

Accepted Answer

Our preschool is popular and highly regarded despite our inferior, not up to code facilities. This next generation of families deserves the very best facilities we can provide, along with the solid Biblical preschool curriculum we offer. Many of our preschool families are unchurched, and this is a wonderful opportunity to share Jesus with them.

Question 8

Were any alternatives considered?

Accepted Answer

We could do nothing right now, and limp along. But the fact is that major infrastructure upgrades are just around the corner: our HVAC systems at both campuses are operating past their replacement date. We have a mold issue in the Lytham Road basement that must be remediated. If we don’t make these necessary upgrades now, we will pay much more in the future.

Question 9

What if we don’t meet the goal? Will we take on debt?

Accepted Answer

UALC has worked hard to be a debt-free church. We have prayed and worked hard to determine that a $10 million goal is doable. In the event that we don't receive adequate commitments, the church council will review the project again and make the necessary recommendations and decisions at that time.

We will likely need bridge financing since the construction will be completed before all of the Together donations are received over the next three years. However, this financing will be paid for with the pledged gifts as they are made.

Question 10

Will construction impact our current ministries?

Accepted Answer

Yes! We will need to move our preschool to the Mill Run Campus for the 2023-24 school year. We are working on those plans now. Our goal is that we will continue to worship at Lytham Road (in the Fellowship Hall) as long as we can, in both Traditional and Modern formats, although many activities will move over to Mill Run for a season.

Question 11

When will construction begin and how long will it last?

Accepted Answer

Construction will begin on the Lytham Road Campus in the late summer or early fall, 2023. We anticipate it will last up to 18 months.

Question 12

I want to keep learning more about the campaign. What other resources are available?

Accepted Answer

The Together Guidebook contains a lot more information about the updates and the campaign along with the campaign website at www.together.ualc.org. In addition, small groups will have a special 5-week focus on how God can use us as we pray about our engagement to the campaign. You can also reach out to your Campus Pastor, Connections Director, or members of Church Council with questions

Question 13

What are my next steps?

Accepted Answer

Please pray and ask God to show you how he wants you to participate. If you are married, pray with your spouse. Bring your commitment card to worship on Sunday, May 21 (Commitment Sunday) at 10:00 am at either campus and joyfully make your commitment.

Question 14

When will we find out the results?

Accepted Answer

We will celebrate what God is doing in our midst with a special Together worship service on Sunday, June 4 at 10:00 am at both campuses.

Question 15

How can I stay updated?

Accepted Answer

This website is a great place to remain updated on the progress of the Together campaign over this three-year journey. We will have an updates page added to this site. You can also join our Town Hall Express meetings once a month for 15 minutes after the service. These will also be virtual on Facebook Live the following Monday evening.

FAQs