Ah! Spring will soon be in the air. Only a few more weeks until we see the crocus and daffodils turning the cold brown earth into a thing of beauty. As re surely are looking forward to it, we also know that it will be time to turn our attention to the never ending tasks around the church. The Trustees have been spending time through the winter forming our next plan of attack. We have accused ourselves of talking things to death on occasions however, I can assure you that when we see a problem that needs to be tackled we make sure that we have armed ourselves with as much information as we can gather in order to get the right people on the job as well as get the best use out of the money we have. We are fully aware that there are a lot of projects that need to be addressed throughout the church are we are doing our best to prioritize them.

The painting of the sanctuary and hallways will begin on or about February 25th. It is an exciting time for us as this is something that we have been planning on for a very long time. The rafters will be cleaned and the woodwork will be stripped and refinished as well. The next project will be new carpeting throughout.

The windows in the back of the old part of the church are also going to be repaired and painted. Right now we are still attempting to get estimates, but hope to get moving on it soon. Have you seen the new lettering on the back of the church with the recently installed lighting? WOW! We will try to get the image up on the Church website soon for those of you who aren't fortunate enough to see it in person.

Thanks to all of you who dug a little deeper in order to make our Building Fund Drive in 2007 successful. We raised $42,217.00. Considering we didn't start the fund drive until May of 2007, you did amazingly well. Our anonymous benefactor matched the funds and we were able to realize a sum of $84,434.00. This covered the cost of having the outside of the church resurfaced with stucco.

Unfortunately, the regular giving to the church fell off and we finished the year in the red. If the Cape Island Baptist Church is to continue on we must make budget each year. We know most of you are giving to the best of your ability and there are others who don't give their responsibility as members much though. Former church members throughout our history made sure they supported this church. Now it is our turn to do the same. If our children and their children are to have the same privilege of worshiping God as members of Cape Island Baptist Church, we must make sure that we aren't responsible for its demise. We ask all of you to prayerfully consider what God would have you do.

Please don't forget to continue to give to the Building Fund during 2008. Donations made to the Building Fund are used strictly for that purpose and are not part of the general budget.

We were somewhat disappointed with the lack of turn out for the last church clean-up day and want to encourage you to participate in the future. We need your help! It is not possible for us to tackle all of it alone. Older children are also encouraged to help as this is their church that we are trying to preserve for them and their future.

As usual if you want to tackle one of the projects and feel you have the expertise, and willingness we are always grateful and willing to have the help.

The Board of Trustees thanks each and every one of you for your support over the years and ask that you continue to pray for all the boards as we begin a New Year.