If you were at worship this past week, you may have noticed a few new fixtures. If you didn’t notice them, let’s have a quick look, shall we?
York Street Side of the sanctuary.
East side of sanctuary
Above we see two 65″ TV screens. Congregants in the back might look at these and say, “Those are too big and they are angled wrong! I can’t even see the screen!” That’s because these particular viewers are for the benefit of 3 groups, 1) the choir, 2) people who sit on the far edges of the sanctuary, bottom and balcony, and 3) the minister (so he knows what’s on the screens). For the rest of the congregation we have this:
centered screen, below pipe mouths of organ
Sure, it doesn’t look like much now, but it’s not open just yet! From almost every other angle in the pews, the lowered screen will be visible. The only line-of-sight issues that may arise are for those sitting at the very very back, and those who may choose to sit behind a column in the ground level seating area. From everywhere else, this screen should be easily seen.
Well, you might wonder, why didn’t we use this screen for hymns and prayers, especially during the Holy Sacrament of Communion last week? The truth is, we’ve received almost everything we need. We are waiting on our projector to arrive and for the new computer to be installed. This should all happen this week, just in time for our Hymn-Sing Sunday.
$15,000 in less that 2 months. Only $8,000 to go!
These screens were a grass-roots project that was suggested by a member of the congregation after hearing how people sounded when singing with their heads raised high. In less than a year, we are very close to having it in working order. With this in mind, I want to put to rest any fears that the hymn books will be disappearing. Some people love holding those books, so they aren’t going anywhere.
If you have any questions about this new way to make worship a more accessible experience, don’t hesitate to ask!
Peace!
Rev. Richard