Southminster Presbyterian Church
6306 Roe Avenue, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208
Phone: 913.432.3505, Fax: 913.432.7256


Jeffrey C. Clayton, Pastor
Chad A. Herring, Associate Pastor
Ann Wilke, Evangelism Committee, Moderator
Bill Podrazik, Evangelism Committee, Media Contact 913.385.1455
Larry Williams, Evangelism Committee, Media Contact

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RETIREES TALENTS GUIDE CHURCH'S RENOVATION PROJECT

Although Wayne Wilson and Loren Sommer know their good manners, they insist
on wearing a hat in church every day. As members of Southminster Presbyterian
Church, 63rd and Roe Avenue, Prairie Village, Kansas, these two have
volunteered there time and talents to spearhead a major reconstruction project.
Everything in the church is undergoing physical renewal.


As a result of efforts launched in 2004, the church is replacing the flooring,
windows, walls, pews, lighting, sound system and virtually every other aspect of
the interior.

"This is almost to the point of being ridiculous, but nice if we are able to do it,
said Sommer during the early phase of the dream. "Now that we are under way
with the remodeling,"


Sommer continued, "we'll have great surroundings to complement our beautiful
Casavant pipe organ!"


In addition, the plans include installation of a modern video system to record
worship services and special services.

A project of this magnitude needs to be managed with expertise so that every
detail receives proper attention. Wilson is no stranger to this kind of responsibility
and Southminster Presbyterian Church is fortunate to have a person with his
knowledge, skill and ability available to ensure the progress. Wilson graduated
from the University of Missouri, Rolla and holds a bachelor degree in Electrical
Engineering.

Now retired from his professional career, Wilson worked 37 years for the
engineering firm of Burns and McDonnell where he acquired his project
management background.


Wilson said, "Focusing on the details and understanding work processes are
important. The key to getting the project completed well relies on fitting
everything together from design to construction." He believes it is important to
know where things are, physically. A church member for 26 years, he as learned
much about the building.

Wilson said, "I know where the bones are buried. This makes the project go well,
especially dovetailing everyone's efforts from the architect to the contractors É
the goal is to anticipate problems and eliminate surprises."

Wilson believes his experiences as a designer of airport facilities and as a project
manager helps him to find good, multiple solutions.

Wilson said, "For me it comes easy and naturally... not like my earlier years
when I was involved with the construction of KCI. I had to learn to deal with
multidisciplines. Now I'm glad to devote these intuitive talents the church's
project."

Sommer, a member of the church for 41 years, also contributes his professional
experiences. He has built houses, sold lumber products, given advice and
estimates to homebuilders and concluded his professional career purchasing
lumber and materials for the Sutherlands organization.

Wilson said, "Sommer has been a terrific committee member. He's been a sincere
and dedicated catalyst for the overall task."

Sommer said, "I am a master of curiosity. I look at all the angles and try to learn
as much and I can about the project. I understand what materials are needed, the
quality required, labor requirements, costs for tools and equipment and overall the
budget. This helps me relate to everyone involved."

Each day Sommer and Wilson review all the particulars, the tasks accomplished
thus far and how the remaining tasks fit into the overall puzzle.

Although Wilson and Sommer have been the most visible members of the
committee with their hard hats, this does not diminish the importance of the others
on the team. These individuals, namely, Susan Giffen, Susan Golden, Ginny
Kadyk, Joy Warner, Chris Calkins, Chris Mueller and Tim Thomas, each
provided their own expertise to development of the process. All the members of
Southminster Presbyterian Church appreciate their efforts and eventually pledged
to approve and fund the entire project.

Work commenced the day after Christmas 2006 and full renovation is expected by
Easter 2007. Many church members pitched in to get the church ready for the
invasion of the thirteen subcontractors. Before New Years day, the 60 pews were
donated to various individuals who drove hours to obtain the well-used church
seats. Fourteen pews were given to a Christian Youth Camp located in Poplar
Bluff, Missouri.

The general contractor, Pearce Construction, had an empty church and the
construction equipment was brought in. A dumpster was positioned outside the
church. This is perhaps the only visible evidence to the community that
significant work was performed in the neighborhood. Much of the old material
was being removed. The wooden window frames that held the stained glassed
artwork was on the top of the list. Flooring, fixtures, and many other pieces of
worn out stuff was discarded. Several walls and partitions were eliminated to
provide more open space.

The cinderblock walls in the interior are to be covered with new gypsum board,
finished and painted to create a warm and bright atmosphere. The choir and
chancel areas are to be raised and enlarged, porcelain tiles laid on the floor,
brighter lights installed above and cushioned pews put into place. All the
entranceways are to be renovated in keeping with the overall decor and appointed
with new furnishings.

Basically the project is to convert the 45-year-old facility into a comfortable place
to worship and share fellowship in Prairie Village, Kansas. A passer-by is likely
to see Wilson and Sommer checking work progress in the hard hat area; they are
both enjoying their second career!

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