Worship and Music Ministry recently called a Sanctuary Study Group committee to look into purposes, uses, needs and possibilities for the Sanctuary, our sacred space. The committee’s activities will prompt lively discussion, encourage wider envisioning, and facilitate working up alternatives for possible revisions to how we experience the Sanctuary, as we move toward congregational consensus around a preferred plan.
Why and why now?
Reasons include presently practical – discerning our way from this pandemic, preparing to flexibly respond to future dislocations, what to do while the space is largely not in use, whether to refurbish or possibly replace our pews. In turn, that prompts considering the more sacred, whole context, including all worship, ceremony and community uses of the Sanctuary. How do, and how might, configurations of space and equipment affect our personal and congregate experiences – receptive and expressive – of word, silence, music, dance, drama, visual art, symbol in worship, sacrament, celebration, meeting, performance, conversation?
Process?
This study group will report to W&M, Church Council and congregation. Members bring representation of related Ministries and a wealth of UCUCC experience. They include Margaret Stine, Nadine Santo-Pietro, Dennis Noson, Anna Van Pelt, Royce Morrison, with Pastor Amy Roon as staff liaison.
Please participate!
We recognize that this is an important, whole-congregation process, and that there is a need to begin, engage, involve and keep discussion moving. You (Yes, you!) are asked to also begin to think, feel, remember, envision, hear others’ ideas, express, discuss. Watch for more information about ways to provide your input.
~Royce Morrison, Worship and Music Committee