Church news
Meeting space plans
Your point of view sought
You'll be aware from the article in the last magazine that the Congregational Board has been considering making a meeting space at the back of the church by removing two or three rows of the side pews. A drawing of the proposal was on display in the church over the last couple of months and Elders and Board members have been taking soundings from the congregation about their views. We had a detailed discussion at the June Board meeting when there was a range of views expressed both for and against the proposal. It was noted that some people who sit in the side pews at the back of the church had already made objections.
Here's some of the points made during the Board discussion:
that whatever course of action we do we will have considered the views of our members in the process. So please let any Elder or Board member know your views in person, by phone or in writing. And/or there will be a short note put in the church pews seeking your views that you can fill in a return any time over the summer. Elisabeth Manson
Clerk to the Congregational Board
Tel: 07796 044903
You'll be aware from the article in the last magazine that the Congregational Board has been considering making a meeting space at the back of the church by removing two or three rows of the side pews. A drawing of the proposal was on display in the church over the last couple of months and Elders and Board members have been taking soundings from the congregation about their views. We had a detailed discussion at the June Board meeting when there was a range of views expressed both for and against the proposal. It was noted that some people who sit in the side pews at the back of the church had already made objections.
Here's some of the points made during the Board discussion:
Church purpose
- It would be good to have a place where people meet with friends and share fellowship indoors at the end of the service, especially when it's cold or raining
- The church is for worship and should be retained solely for that purpose
- It would be important that the space is only used at the end of the service so as not to interfere with people's preparation time and/or detract from the organ music
Changing the building
- It's a historic building and would be wrong to change it
- The church is a place of fellowship and changes like this are fine so the building meets the need of the congregation
- It would mean the foyers are not so congested
Capacity
- We might need these pews if new people come along (eg the new housing estates being built)
- We have plenty space in the other pews and the balcony to accommodate existing and any potential increase
History
- People like to use the back pews and don't want to move forward
- It doesn't matter where you sit - the point of coming to church is being at the service
Cost
- It's a waste of time and money
- The work would be undertaken by church members so there would be no direct costs incurred by removing the side pews
- Removing all the back rows would incur some costs due to the central heating system
Other options
- We could look at making one of the entrance foyer areas into a meeting space
- It would be better to remove all the back pews - from the centre and the sides - and make a bigger space that goes right across the church
- Screens could perhaps be added to give noticeboard space about events and to block any noise
that whatever course of action we do we will have considered the views of our members in the process. So please let any Elder or Board member know your views in person, by phone or in writing. And/or there will be a short note put in the church pews seeking your views that you can fill in a return any time over the summer. Elisabeth Manson
Clerk to the Congregational Board
Tel: 07796 044903
Posted on Jul 5 2008 at 14:38
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