Timeline & Facts about Land Purchase:

7/7/10 Closed on Broadway Ave. property

7/7/10 $109,000 has been pledged to date

7/2010 As of the end of June, $65,000 has been pledged by 22 families and $65,000 has been raised for the down payment.

7/2010 Tentative closing date of 7/7/10.

5/15/10 Contract has been signed between the Church and sellers.  Pending title report, the closing date is on or before July 1, 2010.

5/11/10 Approximately $60,000 has been raised and $33,000 has been pledged.

5/2/10  Congregation voted to enter into the loan agreement with LCEF for the above terms. 

4/30/10  The Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF) approved an unsecured loan of up to $650,000 at 5.25% for 20 years to Saint John’s.  (The FEC has challenged the congregation to pay off this debt in three years.  The difference in interest alone on a three year term and a 20 year term is $347,248.37!)

4/27/10   We have raised $44,483.00 towards the down payment.

4/4/10  Pledge Drive begins with a call for a down payment of $65,000. 

3/13/10 Congregation voted 76 to 30 to purchase the land.  No decision has been made about what we will do with the land.  Discussions about this topic will begin in the Fall of 2010.

2/27/10  FEC presented sellers’ offer to the congregation of the availability of 3.8 undeveloped acres in Sayville.

Facing southwest

East end of property facing west

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where are we in the process of purchasing the land?
As of July 7, 2010  Saint John's Lutheran Church congregation owns the property at 345 Broadway Avenue in Sayville.

Are we building a new church?
No, that question has not been addressed nor decided upon by the congregation.

What has been decided to do with the land?
The only thing that has been decided is that we are purchasing the land. On March 13, 2010, 107 congregant members came to the congregational meeting. In a paper ballot vote, 76 voted to purchase the land and 30 voted not to.

Where are we in the process of purchasing the land?
We have signed a contract with the intent to purchase the property. We are waiting to hear from the title company that all is well and we have a closing date on or about July 1, 2010.

If I send in my pledge will I still get a phone call?
No.

What are we doing about the repairs that are needed on 48 Greene Ave.?
We will continue to maintain and repair as necessary and no major renovations will be made without the consent of the congregation.

What has happened with the 48 Greene Avenue renovation process?
A firm has been selected in compliance with the congregational motion made in December 2009. The process has been put on hold pending the land purchase agreed to by the congregation.

What happens if I give money to the land purchase and then the congregation decides to sell the land, how will the money be spent that I have already given to the land purchase?
If the congregation decides to sell the land, the proceeds become the church’s money. As a congregation, we would decide how that money could be spent. To make sure your interests are represented you may choose to do any or all of the following: attend congregational meetings and vote; communicate frequently with Council members and FEC members; and/or join the FEC and make your opinions be known.
 

The FEC will be updating the congregation each month through the Good News, on our website.  The committee is attempting to answer any questions they receive and will report through these avenues. You may email your questions to stjohns11782@aol.com or drop them off at the church office.