UPDATE 23 - Justin Matulewicz
Hey everyone!
Someone who has been putting in tons of hours serving at the new building has been Justin Matulewicz. For those of you who don’t know him, Justin has been part of the church for twenty years. He has served in more ways than can be counted. Way back in 2010, he was the primary person who renovated our worship/office space at 2424 E York St. I have asked him to do lots of work on this project– from pulling up hardwood to offering architectural feedback to helping me understand how this whole construction process works.
For my Thanksgiving weekend post, I want to thank Justin! Below you will see some questions I asked him a few weeks ago so folks can get to know him and his hopes for this project. The next time you see Justin, thank him for all he has done at our future building.
Justin, you have served in many ways at Liberti over the past twenty years. What is the nastiest work you have ever done for our church? I'll allow multiple answers if you're struggling to narrow it down to just one answer.
Mitigating smoke damage from an adjacent unit fire when we rented at 2424 East York Street. And demo on both buildings: nasty, but fun.
And now (knowing you) for a harder question. What way of serving our church has brought you the most joy?
I don't think I experience joy, more duty. And peace in having fulfilled a task that I should feel called to because of grace. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul says: “Now if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.” I don't mind being a foot. I like to see what is lacking, and fill it in. I want more people to be able to serve, so if I do the not as fun stuff, hopefully it frees others to do other stuff.
Tell folks more about what role you have played with our building team for 2531 E Lehigh Ave. What have you been doing?
I provided early conceptual plans and existing plans to the Architect with the help of Beau's scanning machine. I was part of the design selection team, and part of the design team, and the transition to construction team. I delivered unpleasant but realistic news to the design team.
I know you have also been praying for this project. How has God used this project to bless you and your family?
It has been good to have the children serve this way and feel part of the larger church community.
What are you most excited about Liberti moving to 2531 E Lehigh Ave? (Besides the fact that it will be such a short walk from your house).
Having a "living room" for the church during the week. This building will open up the opportunity for larger meetings not on Sunday. A Saturday morning men's pancake breakfast would be way easier now, a Friday night women's event would be easier. And we can host more kids club and youth group stuff with easier setup. Not having to ask if we can serve the community in particular ways. It gives us a particular location, and the ability to be a presence in that area with service and the essence of Christ and his body.
What is one thing you would want to tell our congregation and those who have contributed to the project?
Through over 20 years of Liberti our ethos has been to rent to give more money away. This opportunity was pretty clearly from GOD, and our area of focus has zoomed in on this particular area of the River Wards. I am excited to see what is going to happen. I think we are going to be freed up to have more often and more creative opportunities to serve.
-Stephen