Kitchen Remodel Project Update 10-18-2026
Kitchen Remodel Project Update: Planning for the Next 50 Years Together
Thank you to everyone who attended the October 18 congregational meeting and to all who have shared feedback through the online survey, stakeholder meetings, coffee-hour conversations, and church leadership discussions. At the meeting, we shared what we have heard from congregation so far, next steps in the planning process and how members can be involved going forward. If you were not able to attend the meeting, you can view the presentation slides online (wesleysj.net/newsletter-archives).
Our kitchen has supported Wesley UMC’s ministry and community life for more than 50 years and the Kitchen Remodel Team is exploring how to responsibly renew this essential space to meet our needs for the next 50 years.
Based on congregational feedback and Board of Trustees research, the Trustees approved Initial Project Objectives for the Kitchen Remodel Project on October 6. We will use these objectives as we work with an architect to develop preliminary plans and a Project budget:
• Construct a Certified Kitchen that meets health and safety codes, including upgrading plumbing, drainage, electrical and ventilation systems
• Replace aging, high-use equipment; and
• Improve workflow to better support church ministry, meals, and events.
If funding allows, the Project may also include targeted kitchen improvements as well as upgrades to Fellowship Hall bathrooms and airflow, heating and cooling.
We are still in the early planning stages of this Project and there will be many opportunities to stay informed and provide input. We encourage you to attend the November 15 charge conference, where the Trustees will ask for support to keep working on the Project. We would then select an architect and develop preliminary plans and cost estimates over the next six months. Retaining an architect is necessary to make informed decisions, and could cost up to $100,000. That expenditure would not be refunded if we do not proceed with a remodel.
Through monthly newsletter articles and a congregation meeting next spring, we’ll provide updates and invite your feedback to help shape Project plans. We plan to present recommendations to the Administrative Board and then to a charge conference next summer or fall.
We also invite you to consider participating in the upcoming capital campaign. Remodeling the kitchen could cost at least $4M and it may take some time to raise the funds we need. The Administrative Board has seeded the campaign with approximately $55,000 remaining from the capital campaign fund and a recent bequest of $940,000, so we are off to a great start!
We are grateful for the care, wisdom, and commitment the Wesley community has brought to this process. We look forward to sharing what we learn and seeking your ideas in the months ahead.
Our kitchen has supported Wesley UMC’s ministry and community life for more than 50 years and the Kitchen Remodel Team is exploring how to responsibly renew this essential space to meet our needs for the next 50 years.
Based on congregational feedback and Board of Trustees research, the Trustees approved Initial Project Objectives for the Kitchen Remodel Project on October 6. We will use these objectives as we work with an architect to develop preliminary plans and a Project budget:
• Construct a Certified Kitchen that meets health and safety codes, including upgrading plumbing, drainage, electrical and ventilation systems
• Replace aging, high-use equipment; and
• Improve workflow to better support church ministry, meals, and events.
If funding allows, the Project may also include targeted kitchen improvements as well as upgrades to Fellowship Hall bathrooms and airflow, heating and cooling.
We are still in the early planning stages of this Project and there will be many opportunities to stay informed and provide input. We encourage you to attend the November 15 charge conference, where the Trustees will ask for support to keep working on the Project. We would then select an architect and develop preliminary plans and cost estimates over the next six months. Retaining an architect is necessary to make informed decisions, and could cost up to $100,000. That expenditure would not be refunded if we do not proceed with a remodel.
Through monthly newsletter articles and a congregation meeting next spring, we’ll provide updates and invite your feedback to help shape Project plans. We plan to present recommendations to the Administrative Board and then to a charge conference next summer or fall.
We also invite you to consider participating in the upcoming capital campaign. Remodeling the kitchen could cost at least $4M and it may take some time to raise the funds we need. The Administrative Board has seeded the campaign with approximately $55,000 remaining from the capital campaign fund and a recent bequest of $940,000, so we are off to a great start!
We are grateful for the care, wisdom, and commitment the Wesley community has brought to this process. We look forward to sharing what we learn and seeking your ideas in the months ahead.
Posted in Newsletter 2026-10-22