worship needs of the congregation, rather than personal wants, likes or dislikes. In his own words, “The goal of this process is to involve the congregation in the process and create the maximum support for the project possible. With the large number of people involved and the open structure, congrega- tion members feel that they have been included in the decisions.” We met with Bryan to set up a timeline and action plan for the project. The process was divided into two phases and utilized two groups of participants: the renovation committee and the advisors. The committee (a “team” at SUMC) was made up of about 15 people of varied age groups, and included music staff, the pastor, and a representative of both Finance and Trustees. The team com- mitted to gathering for 2-3 hours each month with the consultant and also committed to stay involved through the entire process, which would take at least two years. The advisors group was a larger group of people whose purpose was to give advice and direc- tion to the committee. Bryan stated that there were two requirements for becoming advisors: that they be a part of the congrega- tion and that they have an opinion. The hope was that the advisors would represent the diverse interests of the membership. A general invitation (in newsletters, bulletins, and congregational announce- ments) was extended to the entire congrega- tion. Anyone who had a leadership role in ministries affected by the scope of the building/renovation project was personally invited to attend. A renovation team was put in place and our journey began. The goal of Phase One was to spend intentional time in assessment of the minis- tries of our congregation, in order to deter- mine our building needs. There was little talk of budget, potential designs, or the nuts and bolts usually contained in a renovation committee agenda. Instead we began by studying educational topics around worship and liturgy, starting with what worship is, and moving on to look at the history of Christian architecture, concepts of assembly and proclamation, baptism and communion. Learning about these formation topics together really helped each of us gain informa- tion and understanding, so that as a team we could develop a worship space that was theologically and practically appropriate to

WORSHIP ARTS • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010

Stevensville UMC sanctuary

renovation guiding concepts

Goal 1: Renovate the worship space in a way that maintains the sense of the sacred, is simple in design, and maintains a connection with our heritage. We will do this in the follow- ing ways:

• Maintain a focus on communion table and cross • Keep existing cross in a prominent place, and heighten its emphasis with lighting

• Reduce visual and physical clutter up front • Design the chancel so it is on one raised level • Simplify the chancel area to provide flexibility and open- ness, through having moveable tiers, furniture and communion rails

• Create a chancel area that will accommodate our current music ministry and be flexible for new possibilities

• Develop a font that is prominent and accessible so as to emphasize our baptismal identity

• Consider the material, finish and color of the sanctuary walls, floor, furniture

• Include places to incorporate art • Explore developing a prayer chapel • Address how we will re-use or reverently dispose of existing furnishings

Goal 2: Remove all possible barriers to participation and create a place where all can give praise to God, understand- ing that the church is the community of God. We will do this in the following ways:

• Provide handicap accessibility in every aspect where we are able (wider aisles, ramps, restrooms, elevator)

• Consider types and arrangements of seating that will improve visibility and sense of community; seating should be comfortable, flexible and beautiful

• Further the understanding of gathering as the body of Christ by addressing what people see as they arrive and enter into the worship space

• Develop lighting that provides better light for the congre- gation and worship leaders

• Develop a new sound system that is easy to use and adaptable to our needs, and include hearing assistance

• Develop a clearly visible projection system that is inte- grated into the design of the sanctuary

• Develop storage space that will maximize usefulness • Explore options for energy efficiency

our congregation. On a practical note, the team tried to be intentional in communicating this process to our congregation, who were wondering “Why is this design process taking so long – where is the plan and the budget?”

15

○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ ○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○○ Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36