Living Hope Lutheran Church has begun construction of the Open Arms Child Development Center and Hope Center--a multipurpose area for use in worship and other activities in Stafford County.

Sixty members and friends of Living Hope Lutheran gathered July 12 for a ceremonial groundbreaking on the site at 325 Courthouse Road. Pastor Gary Rueter told those assembled that the ground is made holy by being set apart for God's purposes.

Among the special guests was the Rev. Jon Diefenthaler, president of the Southeastern District of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.

Grading work began in late May at the site, Rueter said.

The congregation designed its building in late 2006 and then began the lengthy effort of getting Stafford County permits. The process took time because the site is not within the Urban Services Area of the Stafford comprehensive plan and the congregation's request for an exception to connect to the county's sewer system faced denial.

Finally, an alternative wastewater treatment system was developed for the site that met the requirements of the Department of Environmental Health, and building and grading permits were granted in May.

Living Hope now meets on Sundays at Winding Creek Elementary School for worship at 9:30 a.m. and education at 10:45 a.m.

For more information, visit livinghopestafford.org or call 540/657-4105.

--Jim Toler