New Construction Pictures!!!!!

Here are a few new pictures of the construction site. It is easier now to see the outline of the different parts of the building. We continue to pray for the safety of the workers.

Moving Onward

It is such a joy to watch the ReCreation Center develop and grow. Not unlike watching my grandson Max learn to crawl, then stand holding on, stand alone and then very soon take his first steps. Each time Max begins to try something new, he first has to strengthen the muscles and work out the pattern in his brain of how this new achievement will be undertaken. We can't see the muscles work or the pattern being run in his brain, but we know that those things are taking place. Just like the ReCreation Center, there are many things that are taking place daily that we can't see from the parking lot, but they are taking place. And just as those around Max are trying to chronicle his development there are people in the Washington Cathedral family that are chronicling the development of the ReCreation Center.

We are attempting to keep the pictures of the ReCreation Center on the website so that everyone can "witness" the progress. (Unlike Max's development, for those pictures you will have to stop by my office). We invite you to http://wacphotos.phanfare.com/ to watch the buildings progress.

This week the concrete pad was poured for the lower floor. The decking for the second floor is coming to completion in the west end of the building over where the concrete was poured. These are exciting times. We urge you to keep checking back for news and photos!

"Formless and Empty"

In Genesis 1:2, we read that the world was formless and empty. And then we read that God said let there be light in verse 3. And God, created the world. A place of form, substance and beauty. When I think back to last September when we had the Ground Breaking Celebration, the building site was hill without much form. Then we had the hole that was empty and as time has progressed the "hole" has been filled with shape and form. I am amazed at the progress that we can see. The columns of steel have formed the framework for the new ReCreation Center. Before the steel had begun to be put into place I had a hard time visualizing where everything was going to be, but little by little, I can see shape and form. I can visualize walls, a gym, a pool, a new library, a new worship center, a new kitchen, the new stage for performing arts, and the counseling center. But that is not all! I can hear the choirs from the new worship center, hear the children laughing in the gym and pool, see tears of joy when healing is brought to a heart in the counseling center, and smell the outstanding food that will come from the kitchen. But it is not just about the building, it's about the people who will learn, grow, serve and be healed. The building is a framework in which God can do what He does best. ReCreate people. God has a way of making all things new, of completing what He starts, of making something out of nothing. He is the God of the impossible and the God of our imaginings.

The Washington Cathedral family is made up of so many diverse people. We come from all walks of life. We come in all shapes and sizes. There are teachers, fireman, constuction workers, business owners, students, children, singers, actors, artists, poets, computer industry people, aircraft industry people, doctors, lawyers, dentists, theologians, counselors, etc. The list of what we do is endless, but we are all part of the family. We all serve the Living Lord. We have had times when God has taken our emptiness and the places that were without form and made something beautiful out of each and everyone of us. Just as He has done with our hill, turned hole, now building.

Come by and watch the building take shape. We need your pictures and your stories. Join with us on this great adventure.