“There’s just something about this place.” I hear some version of this again and again from people of all ages who visit Massanetta Springs. The lines between heaven and earth get really thin here. What a gift Massanetta is, especially now.

Massanetta is a gift, and I can’t help thinking that when you give a gift, it always says something to those receiving it. The Massanetta gift does not always say what it needs to. Right now, our facilities unintentionally say those with mobility challenges are less welcome. In the Covid era, our rooms say the safety of privacy isn’t that important. Many of our facilities practically shout of an era when expectations for lodging were different, and that we have not yet changed to meet people where they are now.

In 2022, we stepped into a second century of ministry, and we want to be sure our entire ministry, including our facilities, speak of our commitment to be, “a place for all people to experience God through renewal, discovery, and hospitality.” The plan shared in the following pages is a big step, but one that will have an even greater return. When people leave our campus, we want them saying “There’s just something about that place,” for generations to come. This campaign is key to ensuring that happens.

As you learn more about the Building A Place For All Campaign, I hope, like me, you’ll be energized by how the Holy Spirit is calling us to act boldly. This campaign is about so much more than a building. It’s really about the impact of Massanetta on future children, youth, and adults. It’s about shining the light of Christ a little brighter in this corner of creation. As the name suggests, it’s about building a place for all. And that, friends, is what Massanetta has always been about. I’m excited to give to this campaign, and I hope you will be too.

Clayton Rascoe

Executive Director

DETAILS

Campaign Timeline

Most of this year, we will be in what is called a “silent,” or “quiet,” phase of the campaign.  We will be intentionally reaching out to particular members of the Massanetta Community we believe may have particular interest in being early supporters of the campaign. In 2023, you can expect more of a “big splash,” as we make our efforts more public and invite everyone connected with Massanetta to be part of this exciting campaign. We don’t want to leave anyone out!

Campaign Structure

It takes a lot of effort to be successful, and we’ve been blessed to have many volunteers to help us along the way. To ensure everyone will have the opportunity to hear about this Massanetta project, we have divided the campaign work into “affinity groups.” The Steering Team is composed of the following affinity groups along with the chairperson(s).

1. Board/Former Board Members - Craig Nygard - Apex, NC

2. Staff Alumni - Mimi Stout - Williamsburg, VA

3. Middle School Conference - Ken Worsham - Cary, NC

4. Bible and Church Music Conference - Beth Smith - Bridgewater, VA & Ed Tompkins - Indian Trail, NC

5. Presbyterian Women - Janet Rakes - Blacksburg, VA & Theresa Underwood - Buchanan, VA

6. Presbyterian Men - Nachee Miller - Washington DC

7. Congregational Gifts - Fred Holbrook - Troy, VA

IMPROVEMENTS

Lodging is a first-line impression of Massanetta’s hospitality. Richardson, originally a transplanted military barracks and then added onto in the middle of the last century, has served our ministry well, housing thousands of folks over the years. But now, the jack-and-jill style rooms have lost their appeal – increasingly so in response to a global health pandemic – and renovating this building to a current standard was found to not be cost-effective.

A new, nearly 50-room hotel-style building will replace most of the housing accommodations from Richardson. This new lodging will more than double the number of hotel-style rooms – our most requested housing arrangement – on our campus. Located near the main parking lot, and with easy access to the Historic Hotel, these guest rooms will provide a better first impression, shield the view of encroaching development from the Historic Hotel’s front lawn, and more fully accommodate our guests with mobility challenges. In addition to the hotel-style rooms, the two-tower building will also include several extended stay suites with kitchens. This housing arrangement will enable Massanetta to expand our commitment to welcome refugees and provide pastors and others a private place for extended study and Sabbath.

This new facility will invite new possibilities for our programs, church retreats, and so many others. Between the towers, a generous courtyard space between buildings will provide informal gathering space. As the Massanetta community responds generously and funding becomes available, a new meeting building will be added at the end of the courtyard.

IMPACT

This facility will impact every aspect of Massanetta’s ministry in a positive way. Removing the majority of the old Richardson Complex will replace long deferred maintenance with modern infrastructure and lodging. Conservative estimates project Massanetta will more than double the current Richardson occupancy rate, improving our financial sustainability for decades to come. These new accommodations will allow us to create new programs and broaden our hospitality to guest groups while remaining committed to the needs of our existing core programs.

DONATING

Pledge Details

If you have made a pledge, thank you! Gifts toward your pledge can begin immediately. To make a contribution toward your pledge, choose the option that’s right for you:

Gifts to the campaign can be made as a pledge with gifts coming in over a 1 - 5 year period, or they can be one time gifts. For pledges, you can set up a recurring donation through the Massanetta website, or set up Massanetta as a Bill Pay option with your bank, or you can simply send a check, donate stock, etc. on the schedule of your choosing.

For one time gifts, checks or one time donations of stocks or other assets are the easiest way for us to receive gifts.

1. Checks - Checks can be mailed to Massanetta Springs 712 Massanetta Springs Road Rockingham, VA 22801.  Please put “Building A Place For All” in the memo line of the check and/or include a note with your donation so we are sure to code it to the right place.

2. Online Pledge Form - If you’d like to make a one time gift, multi-year pledge, or set up a recurring gift through our online giving platform, please fill out our Online Pledge Form, and we will be happy to assist you.

3. Stock Gifts - Massanetta is able to accept gifts of stock through our Charles Schwab brokerage account.  Please contact Clayton Rascoe, Executive Director, at clatyonr@massanettasprings.org or 540-434-3829 to set up that transfer.

4. Other Assets - Massanetta also accepts gifts from other sources (donor advised funds, charitable gift annuities, living trusts, etc.). If you desire to give from one of these or another source, please contact Clayton Rascoe, Executive Director, at clatyonr@massanettasprings.org or 540-434-3829.

Who Should We Know?

One of the major ways you can help this campaign to be a success is to let us know of others in your network who you think would share our excitement about this campaign. We want to extend the invitation to join this effort to everyone who cares about Massanetta and the ongoing ministry of this sacred space. All information is confidential, and we will not tell them that you suggested them unless you give us permission to do so. You can fill out a Gift Nomination Form by clicking on this link.

Resources

RESOURCES FOR CONGREGATIONS