At the Parish Meeting on March 27, the discussion turned again to building questions. I have had further conversations since then with numerous church members and it seems that consensus is emerging that it is time to move forward.
It was rightly pointed out that we are scrambling to make a decision about what to do with the stone baptismal font but that that decision really needs to be made in the context of a larger plan for the use of the church building. Hence, we are reconvening the Building Projects Committee (henceforth abbreviated as BPC) to talk about things holistically and make that plan.
The BPC (not to be confused with the BCP) will consist, going forward, of:
- Helen Haslam
- Ross Hamilton
- Laura Hill
- Linda Smith
- Mike Strong
- At least one Messy Church parent, TBA
We will try to convene as soon as possible after Easter to resume work.
There are also more urgent short-term concerns that need to be dealt with for safety and security. If it turns out that the font is one of these, we may have to do something with it (possibly an interim solution) before the full plan has been worked out. We are working on gathering some actual facts about the possibilities for the font, in an attempt to determine whether it is currently a safety hazard and what can be safely done with it.
In the meantime, one thing that can be done fairly quickly and without having a significant impact on other plans, or foreclosing future possibilities, is upgrading the lighting in the nave. The lights are old and inefficient and their shades are not in good shape. Replacing them with high-efficiency, modern LEDs with a wider range of illumination makes sense and is highly unlikely to affect any other plans we may make for the building in the longer term. In addition, lifting them up a bit closer to the ceiling will make it possible to finalize the arrangements of the tech station in the loft, which will have several benefits:
- it will eliminate the security risk of having the sound board and multiple monitors sitting out on tables, by making possible the completion of the new opening in the loft wall so the A/V equipment can be permanently stored in a lockable case;
- it will move us along in the process of eliminating, or at least hiding from view, the wires all over the worship space;
- and it will remove the last obstacles to finally installing the stained glass windows from COTR.
We plan to seek quotes from at least two electricians for this work, and discuss and hopefully vote on it at the parish meeting on May 1. In the meantime, if you have questions and concerns, please get in touch!
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