Steel set and metal framing begins

On Tuesday, Feb 22nd, through Monday Feb 28th, the structural steel fabrication and installation was completed. Over to the right shows the boom lifting the 4x8 steel column into place. We were delayed by weather conditions, but we only missed the scheduled completion date by a few days. Great Job Bubba, Huse, Jamie, and Murat!

To the left is a shot of Huse from Industrial Marine Fabrication, Sea Bright N.J. up in the peak of the roof welding the connecting plate to the existing I-Beam. It would then be ready to set the column into place.

We started the metal framing of the knee wall and the vestibule on the next day as we try to get back on schedule. Below is a shot of one of our framers prepping the structural steel to receive the metal stud framing.

Also during the week of Feb 28th thru Friday March 4th, Lee Stadele from Allen Organ began the process of removing and installing the new organ. Speakers and pipes removed and at the end of the day on Friday, they had the new organ playing using the new speakers, (no pipes yet).

The highlight of my week came on Friday when my grandson Emilio spent a little time with me on the job. On this first shot I asked him to strike a pose to look like his grandpa working. All he did was look up and point and shake his head....hmmmm. Then he found some scraps of wood and was ready to make something. Then Emi said he saw his Poppi's truck and sure enough, he was right. My son John had stopped to by to see what we were doing.

Critical milestone met

After weeks of measuring, drawing, reviewing, double checking, triple checking, the window order with J Sussman Inc, NYC, was approved, signed off and sent back. This very critical milestone in the project was met and the order for the window system has officially passed into production.

The art glass studio has their hands full with the scope and schedule here at Reformation. When I contacted Martin Rambusch that the shop drawings were signed off and windows were ordered, his uplifting response was, "Awesome! The race begins. Thank you Joe!

Martin's passion for his craft and his dedication to serve others is truly humbling, (to me anyway). It is similar to the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples, (He came not to be served but to serve).

This type of service is also not unlike the constant weekly flow of members and friends here at Reformation. These folks come in on their own time to share, to help, to serve, and pray for others. The list of programs and ministries is truly impressive and they are constantly seeking to do more of God's work.

Here is what has been going on with the project:

Last Saturday, (Feb 12th), the remaining wood framing came out of the front wall. At the end of the day we anchored a big blue tarp to close the hole. On Monday, Pastor Matt indicated the Saturday night service was accompanied by thrashing and popping of the tarp as it held back the winds, (sorry Pastor Matt, you have a better connection to stop that than I do). ;o)

The foundation was prepped for slab pour by insulating the inner and outer walls with 2" thick foam panels and also under the floor topped with a 6 mil vapor barrier, then #4 rebar @ 24" on center in each direction. The same was done on the outside of the foundation so that it could support the bluestone tile finish. These bluestone tiles had to but taken up and its supporting concrete slab cut out so that the new foundation could be built. After the structural steel is set, the bluestone will go back down and the exterior will be completed.

The foundation work continued during the day and it was covered with heat blankets and double layers of plastic and tarps. Maintaining a non freezing temperature is very important until all of the cements and mortars have had a chance to cure for at least 72 hours.

The foundation prep was inspected on Tuesday the 15th and we poured both slabs on Wednesday.

Currently the structural steel has been fabricated and primed. It looks as though the steel installation will be on or even ahead of schedule. Once the steel is set we can start the construction of the new vestibule, knee wall and most of the exterior finishes. We will then be waiting on the new glass system to be installed. There is still a long way to go and not a minute to spare.

In case you never really see it or think about it, the cross and its steeple here at Reformation are really a beautiful feature of this building. I have always been curious as to

how it was built and anchored to the roof.

Now, thanks to Fred Martinson, (as he brought in a stack of original construction documents), I will get a chance. Fred has kept them safe and dry for all these years and thoughtfully brought them in, (I wish I was that organized). I plan to go through each page and will post any interesting features or history in blogs to come.

THANK-YOU FRED!

A couple of folks have asked, "Hey Joe, what are you going to do with the old cross?" An interesting question since it was requested by the donors to remove it carefully and re-install it wherever the church determines suitable.

So I measured and photographed "The Old but Not So Rugged Aluminum Channel Cross", (check the Cranberry book??) and started thinking of all the possibilities.

The old cross measures 5' wide by 17' tall. The rectangular aluminum tubing is 5" wide and 2-3/4" thick. There was also some signs of gold leaf paint popping through in the center recessed sections, (if anyone knows about that paint finish, please let me know).

Hmmmm......first thought, what about in the Easterly open yard area surrounded by a flower garden and some concrete benches. Not bad, but what about mounting it to the end of the food pantry with flashing neon lights, (tastefully done of course).

That just didn't settle in, so next I asked Edie Jansen, (new chair of Fellowship), if I could install it on the top of her mini van, (at no charge). She obviously didnt see the connection, so I broke it down for her. Edie, this cross set up on your van, would draw new members to our church like ants to a candy bar on a sidewalk.

Just so all of you Fellowship members know, she totally rejected the idea and I am not even sure how she gets to church cause her van is never in the parking lot. Now I was thinking that the cross was up for grabs and it could be totally all for the Evangelism Team, and a few Sundays ago, it hit me...

I was in a semi conscious state and probably mid way through Pastor Matt's sermon, and it hit me, (or was it Nancy Ehlert trying to get me to stop snoring), either way, one or both of them prompted this idea "what about the brick wall behind the altar?" So I took it to the next step.

After making this little cut and paste photo, I really liked the idea, it seemed right. There is also something very nice about retaining a piece of the old to be fit into the new.

So far, the responses have been very positive. If you have any thoughts of your own, (except where Edie told me to put it), please let me know.

Thanks for checking in on the progress and Thank-you for allowing us to serve you!

Joe Jackson

Footing poured and a great deal on old glass!

Today's milestone of pouring footings for the vestibule was right on time. Much care was taken to keep the excavation covered & protected with multiple layers prior to today. When the redi-mix truck rolled up, the blankets came off. The calcium chloride & hot water mixed concrete was placed and covered back up as soon as it was in place.


Yours truly cancelled his personal trainer session for today and instead helped wheel the concrete up the front steps. I can't speak Portuguese, but I am pretty sure these guys were REALLY impressed with how easy I made their job.

Building of the foundation walls and supports for the existing slab will should be completed within the next few days and getting ready to pour the concrete floor and sub slabs for the bluestone.

There is some more selective demolition to be performed in order make way for the structural steel. Meanwhile the steel columns are currently being fabricated and scheduled for installation next week.

An FC2 Blogger special regarding the old colored glass:

A couple of people have contacted Debbie at church requesting to get a piece of the old glass. We are happily processing those orders and will be getting them ASAP. Some folks have asked why the glass pieces are so expensive. Please keep in mind that the glass materials are sent by commercial fishing boats to Korea where they are rough cut and then flown by hang gliders to Taiwan for special cleaning and polishing and then shipped back to Long Branch. We carefully un wrap & then re wrap each order and then hand deliver them one at a time on foot to the church. I think the quality really shows through on these examples shown here, don't you?

Here's a thought for all of you procrastinating romantics out there looking for that special Valentine's Day gift. I ask you, what says I LOVE YOU!, more than a piece of broken glass? From the church even! Really?!  Here's how you do it:

Get on the phone and call FC2 World Headquarters, (732-222-0606), to talk directly with Nancy McBride. If the lines are busy, keep trying, and trying, and trying. Sooner or later Nancy will realize that she forgot to hang up the phone, and then, if she hears it ringing in time, she will take your order.

Or, Just send and email to me: Joe@NJgreenBuilt.com and I will tell Nancy for you! ;o)

Real work has begun!

This first full week of physical work got underway on the stained glass renovation. This first delivery came from Builders General Supply, as the driver maneuvers around the snow and ice piles.

The barrier wall was assembled and connected to the ceiling with the use of the scissor lift. It then received 1/2" plywood sheathing at the bottom and ran up 8', (for occupant safety). The remaining 19' was placed to the exterior side so it would provide a better shield from the high work. The entire exterior side of the wall was wrapped with 6 mil vapor barrier. One of the original double glass doors was placed in the barrier wall. This will provide access when needed but it will also allow members to peek in at what is going on.

USHER UPDATE & THE WALL:

In an effort to crack down on unnecessary & wrongful behavior during church services, the ushers have requested some hi tech help. It starts with a head usher command post mounted high on the temporary wall. This restricted space will feature wireless headset communications, CCTV monitors, infra red tasers, MEGA amped bull horns audible sirens. Now Curt will be able to redirect the "stragglers", lock down church service, and humiliate up to five groups of people in 3 different locations, all without moving and at the same time.

Giant video screens will project his image holding out his arm in the HALT position, also shaking his head and or frowning at parents with poorly managed children & collacky babies. At his discretion, Curt can simply use the touch screen display menu that can authorize the distribution of collection plates and monitor contribution totals.

He will not have to deal with those improperly sized groups of people going up for communion. Laser assisted tasers can be used on those people who try to approach the communion table before HE says it is time.

Another exciting feature will be his ability to cut short and override any lengthy sermons or temple talks. With a simple touch, he can command the next hymn to commence and control the timing and the tempo of the organist, a BIG time saver. Early estimates project a start to finish and out the door church service of just under 15 minutes.

I don't know about you, but just thinking of bringing back a good old fashion Lutheran church service, brings tears to my eyes. ;o)

BACK TO WHAT HAPPENED THIS WEEK:

Tuesday & Wednesday were a couple of pretty disruptive days as the masons cut & then jack-hammered out the concrete slab, (the base for the bluestone). This turned out to be quite a job as this concrete reached an average thickness of 18", (4 times normal).

A special thank-you to Pastor Matt and Debbie, for working through the very disturbing noise and vibrations, (not even a frown). **FC2 is not responsible for any errors in church office management or bad sermons that may have been preformed this week, ;o)**

Along with carpenters and masons, the electrical, plumbing, and fire alarm contractors were also here prepping for the removal of the front wall. After last Sunday's worship service, Charlie Brady asked me what I was going to do with the old flood lights in the narthex ceiling. Further he went on to say that the lights have not worked for at least 6 or 7 years, (the bulbs are too difficult to replace). So on Tuesday we replaced the lamps and they work great. Now, consideration of using LED lamps to extend usage and to provide more illumination of the stained glass. THANKS CHARLIE!

This picture was taken early Wednesday morning from the scissor lift before the barrier wall was fully enclosed and before anyone else had arrived to the job.

Throughout the day and amidst all of the commotion, my intentional glances to the cross would help keep me centered on Christ.

It is when I am living and working in Christ that gives me the most incredible peace that only God can offer, (give it a try).

What is this job all about?

Although it sounds rather simple, this project will be very invasive as we remove the entire front of the church. We will then install structural steel columns and a new energy efficient window system, along with a larger vestibule.  If you have ever stood next to the existing wall, (BB shot holes & single pane glass), then you know how badly this energy upgrade is needed.

This renovation will save energy while providing a beautiful stained glass pictorial depicting the ascension of Christ, designed by The Rambusch Company http://www.rambusch.com/ .  Rambusch designed and built the stained glass that was installed behind the altar around 2002.