1) Make the chancel area handicap accessible.
2) Adequately equip the chancel for today’s worship needs.
3) Attend to egress/safety issues.
1) Creation of an area that is flexible and makes the best use of available chancel space.
2—Equip Chancel for Worship
As a congregation worship together in one, unified service. To accommodate this worship we have pursued what is often called a “blended” worship style. This blend has added diversity to music and instrumentation, preaching approaches, and worship leading methods.
In recent years, under the leadership of our Expressions Commission and Pastoral Team, these expressions of worship have found a rhythm. In our music ministry, on any given Sunday we can worship with a mighty classical organ selection, a bell choir piece, a Bluegrass ballad, and a rock-based sing-along. The spoken word is also presented with variety: the preacher and/or worship leader may speak at pulpit or lectern, in center chancel, on the floor of the sanctuary, or some combination thereof. Dramatists stationed in various locations capture our imagination and attention. As a congregation we can rejoice that we have learned to appreciate that different types of music and worship have meaning to different worshipers.
With these positive changes in worship come a demand for flexibility, the need for increased capacity in our usable chancel space, and upgrade to our audio, visual and lighting systems. This plan addresses these issues.
Challenge: Current chancel configuration unsafe and inefficient
1)Our current chancel area floor configuration has eight different levels! This is a major stumbling hazard. 2) We remain limited in our ability to purpose the chancel for our Choirs (including Bell Choir), Ensembles, as well as special events like dramas, cantatas, etc. 3) The piano and organ are located across the chancel from the choir loft.
Solution: Reconfigure and “add” floor space.
1) This plan creates one primary level, decreasing safety concerns; 2) greatly improves the ability to use the space for worship service and special events; and 3) positions the organ and piano close to the loft, creating greater continuity for our choirs, accompanists and directors.
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Challenge: Sound System is inadequate
1)Our current sound system was built to amplify a single, male voice speaking at the pulpit and lectern, not multiple singers, dramatists and musical instruments. The result for worshippers includes high-pitched feedback, blasts of sound, and often the inability to hear at all. Musically, inadequate speakers project a quality of sound that is harsh for those in the front of the sanctuary while leaving those in the back grasping for clarity (they are also an eyesore).
2) The system itself is stretched beyond capacity and some of equipment is simply wearing out due to normal use. Our current operational platform is actually two systems requiring two operators. Even the most savvy of sound technicians can be driven crazy trying to create an appropriate balance! Special events like Christmas Eve Cantatas, Special Concerts are especially difficult. Two systems also means that some of our music is not recorded for the tapes.
Solution: Add New Audio/Sound System.
1-2) Install one, integrated sound system designed to accommodate our current needs. The proper system would add clarity to lyrics, give greater front-to-back sound balance to the sanctuary, and would simplify things for the sound operator. We will also add a feature that digitally records the entire service allow us to put sermons and some music (depending on copyright restrictions) online. More people than ever will have access to our worship services.
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Challenge: People learn visually as well as aurally.
1) Some expressions of worship lend themselves to visual representations. Announcements can be made before and after worship. Lyrics and music can be shared on the screen. Visual arts can be displayed. 2) Lighting is limited, and inconsistent/patchy on cloudy days and evenings.
Solution: Add projector and improve lighting.[1]
1) Add a retractable screen and lighting/projection unit in a manner that blends with the architecture of sanctuary.
Because growth in our worship ministries (especially music ministries) has stretched our chancel area beyond its limits, any music group with instruments must set up on the floor between the chancel and front pews, blocking one of our primary egress points and posing a danger in the event of evacuation. The proposed changes would remedy this problem and give a cleaner appearance to the front of the sanctuary.
Challenge: One of three main egresses is often blocked by musical equipment.
Solution: Proposed plan gets equipment off floor level and away from egress.
The proposed plan makes our chancel accessible to all, uses our available space in the best way possible, will improve the quality of our worship, addresses egress/safety concerns. We believe that it equips us well for the decades to come.
[1] We recognize that this addition in particular generates an anxiety—we do not wish to be like “other” congregations. The Pastoral Team and Expressions Commission are not planning major changes in the way we worship Sunday to Sunday due to the addition of a screen, or any of these proposed changes. Worship will continue to hold our unique practice, theology, and expressions of worship. We will not accept any pre-packaged programs that move us away from who we are!
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