Ready to turn over a new page on February 1

     At Deerfield, we are ready for February! What delight comes this month with putting January behind us with cleaning up from the smoke damage and moving forward with the reconstruction. I am passing on to you this week the update we sent out to our church family on where we stand with the clean up process after the fire. We thank you for your continued prayer support as the good work for Christ continues in this place. God is in charge and we look for good to come. Praise the Lord for being with us through a time of chaos. Rev. Evelyn Lemons

Here is the update from our trustees:
This has been a productive week in both the church and parsonage as we work on repairing the damage done by the fire of Dec. 29. I would like to give our church family an update on what has been accomplished in the month since the fire.


All the ceiling tiles have been replaced in the fellowship hall, restrooms, and Sunday School rooms except for one classroom where some additional cleaning is being done. All of these rooms have also been cleaned and put back together so that classes can resume their normal meeting places. Thanks so much to the very dedicated people who have worked on this--even to the point of re-covering many of the chairs in the Sunday School rooms. If you are willing to help in that project, please let me know and I will put you in touch with the upholstery crew!

Much has been completed at the parsonage also. The three bedrooms in the newer section of the parsonage (upstairs) have been sealed, cleaned, and painted on all walls and ceilings. Flooring installation in these rooms can start this week. The older section of the parsonage (downstairs) has been cleaned, insulation has been removed, and the fire-contaminated attic has been sealed. The painters will begin sealing and painting in this downstairs section on Monday. The reconstruction in the parsonage will begin on Tuesday. Cabinets, countertops, and appliances have been chosen, and furniture selection is being worked on also.

Professional cleaners have been involved in cleaning the ductwork, attics, and rooms of the church, but much of the work has been done by members of our church, along with ASU students and members of Boone United Methodist and Faithbridge United Methodist. These efforts will help our church because we will be reimbursed through insurance coverage for the hours these volunteers have spent rather than having to pay someone else for this time. This will support the trustees of the church as we work to complete necessary renovations and purchases while remaining within the funds provided by insurance coverage. We understand and honor the financial commitments which have already been made by the members of our church and will do all within our power to prevent a financial burden on the congregation as a result of the fire. We are also thankful for the love offering taken by Boone United Methodist which will help to cover the costs of repair.

Lawrence Caviness

Chairperson, Deerfield UMC Trustees