October 26, 2023

 

Dear CMC Friend,

As I was preparing to share our journey with you, the words of Psalm 25:1 resonated deeply within me, “In you, LORD my God, I put my trust.” It’s a reminder that faith often faces trials, but it is through these trials that we find strength and conviction. Today, I find myself at one such juncture, where our faith is being tested, and I am turning to you with a hopeful heart.

For the past five years, we have been following God’s guidance to build a retreat center and chapel, a project that holds immense importance in our mission. Today, I am thrilled to announce that this project is finally taking shape. We have engaged in numerous discussions with our dedicated architect, Frank Rapisarda, as well as the Pinelands Commission and Monroe Township. With their guidance, we are confident in taking the next steps and embarking on a partnership with a local civil engineering company to assess the land’s suitability for our dream.

At this stage, we humbly seek your assistance. To proceed, we require a total of $68,000, along with covering any hourly work essential for this phase. Here is a breakdown of the costs:

  • Site feasibility study, including ordinance review, concept planning, stormwater management, and pre-application meetings with Pinelands and Monroe Township: $3,600
  • Complete site plan drawings, encompassing all necessary mapping, demolition, site grading, landscaping, lighting, and soil erosion plans: $36,000
  • Stormwater management design, including reports and maintenance manuals: $6,500
  • Soil erosion permits: $1,200
  • County Road Improvement plan (if needed): $3,200
  • Stormwater management test pits: $4,200
  • Public Meetings: $750
  • Bidding (as required): $195/hr.
  • Construction Administration (as required): $195/hr.
  • Traffic Study: $5,000
  • Plan revisions (Time & Materials): $5,600

The past year has been a testament to our unwavering commitment to our mission. We have been tireless in our efforts, providing Christian meditation (CM) training, CM support groups, book clubs, spiritual direction, and Christian counseling. In addition to these vital services, we have also hosted two retreats, where our primary aim was to support individuals in their spiritual journey to draw closer to our Lord. We are humbled and grateful for the positive impact we have had on numerous lives. Check out our upcoming events!

Your unwavering support has been instrumental in our progress, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you. Many of you have volunteered your time, donated funds, and offered prayers to strengthen our ministry. Your continued support is invaluable, especially at this pivotal moment in our journey. We are not just asking for financial assistance; we also seek your prayers and support in the following ways:

Promotion: Help us spread the word about our events. We are looking for a stronger presence on social media.

Illustration: We are in search of an illustrator for a children’s book.

Website Design: We are looking for someone with experience in website design.

Your contribution, be it financial or through your time and talents, will play a significant role in helping us make our dream a reality. We are steadfast in our commitment to serve our community and bring individuals closer to their faith, and we hope you will join us on this remarkable journey.

Please consider what you can do to assist us in this endeavor. Your support means the world to us, and together, we can create a brighter and more spiritually enriched future for all those we serve.  Donations can be made on our website, or you can send a check to the address below.

With heartfelt sincerity and gratitude,

Teresa Yerkes,

 

Founder and President

Christian Meditation Center

368 S. Tuckahoe Road

Williamstown, NJ 08094

(856) 404-5704

tyerkes@christianmeditationcenter.org

www.ChristianMeditationCenter.org