ers and audio-visual specialists. He also gave us advice on how the renovation would affect the wonderful acoustics in our space. In addition we hired him to design and oversee the construction of our altar table, lectern and baptismal font.
Our process at SUMC was slowed by winter weather and summer breaks, but between April 2008 and July 2009 we created an exciting plan that we believed met the needs of our church. The chancel area was opened up, had one raised level and included a ramp. “Chancel Chunks” (4’x4’x6” risers) were designed for use in the chancel. In the nave, aisles were widened and seating was flexible, with new flooring throughout. The balcony was redesigned into an audio-visual center. A handicap accessible family restroom was put in, along with storage areas. Lighting and technology were improved. An elevator was added, to improve accessibility to the youth center and choir room below the sanctuary.
Now came the time to call the advisors
together for one last session. They were invited to see the plan and share their thoughts. This was the team’s moment of truth: Did we honor the guiding concepts? Did the church’s wants, needs and wishes come through? Or had we gotten it all wrong? The advisors asked good questions, affirmed the plan and thanked the team for their diligent work.
But what about the money? When the first draft of the plan was done it was time to consider cost. The projected cost, as deter- mined by our design builder, ended up higher than we had hoped. In the meantime Michigan’s economy had worsened. Some leaders thought we should stop our renova- tion process here, but the team believed the church as a whole deserved to make that decision. So the team worked hard with Bryan and the firm to pare down costs, remove some premium cosmetic finishes and factor in volunteer labor such as demolition and painting. Our final plan put the project
into four phases 1) chancel, 2) balcony/ narthex, 3) nave, 4) elevator. Phasing the project offered options as to how the con- struction could proceed.
The final step was to present this plan to church members and to vote, as a church body, to proceed with construction. We formally presented the design to both the Finance and Trustees teams. We also held five meetings for the congregation where the plan was presented and questions were answered. At our church conference we were blessed with a positive affirmation of the project and now SUMC is going into a fundraising phase. The renovation team’s work is done, and a building team will be put in place to oversee construction.
Bryan Schneider-Thomas facilitated a process that impacted the life of our church in an incredibly positive way. We allowed ourselves to dream and create a vision for worship that was liturgically sound and respectful of tradition. We honored all in the church by listening and considering each opinion. We budgeted around the plan rather than planning around a budget. We created a worship space that would honor God and meet the congregation’s needs into the future. Making this design a reality will ultimately be in the hands of our congregation, as demon- strated by their financial and spiritual sup- port. We are excited to see where God takes us during the next part of this journey.
Fellowship member NANCY FARRINGTON is a music director at Stevensville United Methodist Church, Stevensville, MI, where she directs two adult handbell
choirs, the preK-2nd grade choir, accompa- nies the youth choir and co-directs the adult choir and the praise team. She also serves as recording secretary for the national Fellow- ship Council.
The lighter side of ministry
I had to call a soloist to sing for a funeral and when she found out what I wanted, she said, “Geez, that’s really short notice, isn’t it?”
Constance Fang, Stevens Point United Methodist Church Stevens Point, WI
WORSHIP ARTS • JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2010
17
We allowed ourselves to dream and create a vision for worship that was liturgically sound and respectful of tradition.
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