Just the Facts
It turns out that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) needed our property to build a new on-ramp to I-405N. Our conversations with WSDOT began in the summer of 2006 when they approached us to let us know that they wanted to acquire our property to complete the I-405 corridor improvements. LWCC formed a Property Committee to be the focal point for research, Q&A, and negotiating this process. We have now completed our discussions with WSDOT, the discussions with a lawyer representing LWCC, further negotiations with WSDOT, and we finally concluded the sale of the property in March, 2008. The final agreement permits LWCC to lease back and thus remain in this building through the end of 2008, with some possibility of extending the lease into 2009. At this point, the LWCC Property Committee has shifted focus from the details of the sale to the details of our new location and pending move.

Responses
As a congregation, our responses to this new chapter are varied -- some immediately began to think "a new building with a kitchen!" while others were in shock thinking about all of the memories that are linked with this building. A quick search of the internet will turn up some handy vocabulary for describing these emotions -- they are all related to grieving a loss. Common emotions or phases include * Denial * Anger * Bargaining * Depression * Acceptance. It is common to experience at least two of these; but beyond that everyone will react differently. Those who moved quickly to acceptance may find that they are very angry on the day the walls come down. Those who have spent the most time dealing with anger may discover that they are prepared to help the "early accepters" get through the move! Despite our various emotions, we are united in our commitment to support one another through this process.

Plans
Behind all of this, LWCC remains a community of faith that trusts that there is a bigger plan unfolding. We have a Vision Team to assist the congregation with discerning and articulating what God is calling us to do next. We have the Property Committee moving ahead with identifying viable interim properties while a permanent building is secured or built. Our Board members are carefully investing the proceeds from the sale so that we will be financially prepared when we need to use those funds. Our Pastor and Elders continue to remind us that we are a community built of faith and action, not plaster walls. Above all, our members have been jolted out of complacency and are forming stronger attachments to each other and our common calling. If you are reading this and are not already part of the LWCC family, this is a great time to come find out more. We are a faith community on the move, and you are invited to be a part of the family as we begin the next chapter!

Questions? Comments? Confused? Angry? Excited? -- Great! You can address all of these and more by contacting us by email or phone:  (425) 823-4637.