Dear Friedens Friends and Family,

There are two great moments in a person's life: the moment you were born and the moment you realize why you were born. One hundred eleven years ago, Friedens Church was born to “make up there come down here, thy kingdom come, thy will being done.” Today, with a facility that is considered a Texas Historical Landmark, and an awesome history of family roots, we continue to realize the “why” of Friedens as we strive to be a vibrant community of faith sharing the Good News of Jesus. In recent years we have been blessed by unprecedented growth, both in numbers and in mission activities. Now we face a critical need for updated facilities to continue to serve our church family and future members.

The “Rooted In The Past-Reaching For The Future” campaign outlines what we must do today to secure our future, to ensure that our incredible ministry efforts will continue to grow and thrive for a world in need of God’s love in action. Our church home – the sanctuary, education wing, activity center, and playground are vital tools to making God’s will a reality, visible symbols that we are called to faithful ministry in this time and in this place. They exist because visionary leaders in the past expressed their faith in God and commitment to God’s mission and gave generously of their resources. Now it is our turn to make an equal sacrifice to update and improve our church home so we can more effectively serve our church family and attract new members.

Friedens Church is a congregation poised to become a shining beacon of God’s love for all who are seeking a message of love as we boldly proclaim, “no matter where you are on life’s journey-you are welcome here!” But our facilities, after many years of hard use, are not so shining, and need some significant TLC so that they reflect the heart of the church, which is vibrant, growing and ready for the future. More specifically our “Rooted in the Past – Reaching for the Future” capital campaign will:

• Enhance worship through sanctuary repairs
• Enable improved opportunities and possibilities for Christian education and fellowship through activity center/classroom and kitchen remodeling
• Allow the possibility of having a state accredited Christian Day School
• Increase our ability to minister to all members of the Friedens Community and in addition, attracting and retaining new friends and members with updated, warm, and welcoming facilities
• Develop greater accessibility for handicapped persons
• Provide our children and youth with safe, attractive recreational playground equipment
• Create display areas where our history and ‘roots’ can be explored, shared, and celebrated by all

This campaign calls us to joyfully follow the examples set by the visionary leaders of our fore-families and to make the sacrifices now in order to insure a strong Friedens Church for future generations. As you hear more about this campaign—each of us are urged to carefully consider the significance of the campaign and the potential alternative of no action. My hope is that each of us will be so compelled by this project that we will find ourselves doing something that perhaps we have never done before, to think and pray to God to help us to take action that is daring, courageous, sacrificial, and to participate at a level of generosity that is fitting of our proud heritage. I hope we will all step up and commit ourselves sacrificially to this wonderful project, which will expand and strengthen this church for years to come! Please join us as we begin this daring and joyous journey into the future!

Rev. John Roberts

Letter from former pastor Barney Federwisch