An Important Update from the Rector, Senior Warden, and Building Chair
We all look forward to our Parish Hall Ribbon Cutting and Dedication on September 29th with eagerness and thankfulness. It has been a long journey, and thanks to the hard work of the Parish Hall Committee and the generosity of so many people, this dream is finally coming true. The committee, vestry and staff have been planning for this wonderful addition, and now we have some important information to share with you as we prepare for this Sunday’s ceremony and beyond.
On September 29, we encourage you to tour the new facility and enjoy refreshments. However, please know that some elements of the facility are not yet ready for use. You can enjoy looking at the Parish Hall and its wonderful kitchen but please do not attempt to use any appliances, sinks, or other equipment.
Following our celebration on September 29, the Parish Hall will generally remain closed for several more weeks except for limited use on Sundays and for signature events such as Oktoberfest. During this time, the contractor will be working on final installation details and completing punch list work. In general, access to the parish hall will be limited to very specific priority requests which will require pre-approval/permission.
Later this fall, the installation of the audio/visual system, including a large screen and speakers will take place. The a/v system will be instrumental as we offer education and formation opportunities. We will also be adding and updating signage both inside and outside, to assist visitors and newcomers with wayfinding. Little by little, the Parish Hall will continue to take shape over the coming weeks as the final touches are made.
While we are all very excited to begin using the Parish Hall, it has long been a guiding principle of the vestry that our parish needs to grow into this new space slowly and purposefully as we learn how to operate its equipment and as we begin to establish norms and patterns for church ministries and functions. To aid in the planning for the Parish Hall’s opening, the vestry established an ad-hoc Parish Hall Usage Committee. This group, led by Annamarie Klemm and James Kennedy, includes many parishioners with prior parish kitchen experience. They have been meeting throughout the summer to ensure that, as we begin to use the space, we do so thoughtfully and carefully.
The Usage Committee is in agreement that, for the first 6-12 months, we will limit use of the Parish Hall to parish-sponsored events, both inreach and outreach. This “breaking in period” will allow us to work through any issues that may arise before we begin sharing the space with the wider community. Once we have established our own procedures and rhythms for using the Parish Hall as a church, we can begin considering requests from outside individuals and groups (subject to our Building Use Policy and the demands of our parish calendar.)
It is also our pleasure to announce that Pam Sass has agreed to serve as our volunteer Parish Hall Administrator for the initial stage of the building’s opening. She will lead the preparation of Parish Hall guidelines, procedures, and safety rules, and will provide oversight of Parish Hall activities, in cooperation with volunteers and ministries such as the Ministry of Fun, the Outreach Team, the Preschool, and others. She will work closely with Jessica Ewell, our Parish Administrator, to manage the calendar for the Parish Hall. If you have requests for using the parish hall, you can direct them to Jessica. Please join us in thanking Pam for taking on this important role.
If you have any questions related to the use of the Parish Hall, please reach out to any of us. We are grateful for your understanding and support, and we hope to see you at the Ribbon Cutting and Dedication on Sunday!
The Rev. Carmen Germino, Rector
Dave Pylipow, Senior Warden
James Wally, Building Chair
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