Committee Minutes
Sacred Space Task Force, Feb. 24, 2010
Present: Doug Anderson, Mimi Arnspiger, Julie Bryant, Lois Davis, Kathryn Gutz, Ron Hanson, Steve Meehleder, Martha Rogers, Jim Spencer, and Phil Thomas.
Absent: Susan Arnspiger, Janet Leary.
Doug opened the meeting with prayer.
Ron asked the group if anyone had questions or comments since the last meeting. He reported that he had spoken with two Altar Guild members and asked them if they would do an inventory of Altar supplies. They agreed to do an inventory and also take pictures for insurance purposes.
Jim and Lois both wanted to clarify that the placement of the new organ was not haphazard. They thought that there might be some misunderstanding about the current location of the organ and wanted to assure the group that the installer had a lot of expertise and that he had placed the organ in the best possible place under the circumstances.
Phil mentioned a concern about lighting in the sanctuary. He reported that it was very hard to see the screen during the annual meeting because we were not able to bring the lighting down. He wants to make sure that the lighting issue is addressed at some time during the process.
Lois reported on her ongoing research for the disposal of the old organ. She spoke with Phil Hoenig who would like to come and measure the depth and height of the instrument. He said that some churches are looking for historic organs but they would need to know if it would fit before having further interest. Lois warned that these transactions could take many years to transpire and we may not have the time to wait for that to happen. She said it was important to be in the clearinghouse, at least. Several members of the group thought we might be able to either use or sell the pipes.
The committee began to explore options for gathering information and input from the congregation. Steve suggested that we hand out blank sheets of paper and ask members of the church to “design or redesign” the inside of the worship space including the narthex. Mimi expressed a concern that we may be repeating the work of the Visioning Team unless we have some very specific questions to ask. She thought we needed to narrow the focus of the task force. Martha mentioned that Gale had hoped that this meeting would allow us to do that.
Jim produced a list of the most important issues that he gleaned from the Visioning Team’s Verbatims which the group had been asked to read. The group collaborated on the final list:
- Ascetical consideration
- Interplay of nave vs. narthex (noise issues especially)
- Greeting space/gathering area
- Technical issues
- Flexible configurations
- Arrangement of transept
- Chapel purpose and usage
Martha thought that items 1 & 2 and 6 & 7 could be joined which will give us a list of five areas to work with.
Ron said that the brainstorming sessions need to be focused and controlled and that Gale’s plan is to make sure that the people who show up for the 1st session also be present for the 2nd session.
Julie suggested that we be open to other means of information gathering than just the group sessions. She mentioned personal phone calls, email, and FaceBook. She said that we need to pay attention to issues where there are strong reactions.
Martha made the recommendation that we provide the congregation with the list of 5 issues/questions to be thinking about in preparation for the 3 weeks of adult formation. She added that she will not be present for the February 28th service but Gale will be there to do the introduction and that she will follow up the following 3 weeks.
Mimi shared a concern that the congregation might not understand the meaning of the 5 issues on the list without context so Julie suggested that she and Mimi meet on Monday, March 1st at 5:45 to put the questions in a language that can be understood. Susan and Doug will also be a part of that meeting.
Julie mentioned that she uses a process in her profession that might be appropriate for our work with the congregation. She recommended that we take a 3 step approach:
- Share information to change a perception
- Discuss the short term-changes that can be easily made
- Discuss the long term strategic plan-changes that will happen over time
The next scheduled (tentatively) meeting for the task force will be Wednesday, April 7th, at 5:30. If Gale is not available that evening, the alternative date will be Wednesday, April 14th at 5:30.
Doug moved that the minutes from February 10th be approved. Ron seconded. All approved.
Respectfully submitted
Mimi Arnspiger