It’s Thursday and hard to believe it has been a week since this new and unsettling journey has begun with our building. We are finding, much like those who have re-habed old houses, that when you start on one project, a new one pops up for your attention. When dealing with a building more than 100 years old, we are experiencing this on a daily basis.
Unfortunately, the south wall of the church has continued to move and settle. This means some additional shoring up of the wall will be necessary on both the interior and exterior of the building. This week-end, our incredible construction company will be working all day long to build an interior wall to protect the front half of the sanctuary while they prepare to remove both the stained glass window and the wall.
Due to the wall’s continued movement, the Te Deum window has experienced some damage in both its framing and glass. The experts are in agreement that the window must be removed before the wall can be rebuilt/restored. This certainly is not what we had hoped or prayed for and it might extend the restoration process. When I hear of these new concerns and possible delays, my first reaction is intense frustration and sadness and then I am reminded that we have been given this facility in trust by the prior saints who worked hard to construct it. We now have the responsibility to insure there will be a safe and beautiful worship space for the many generations to follow our path.
Ottawa Street may be closed off and on as equipment is moved around; scaffolding is built and additional shoring is put into place. My hope is that we will view these disruptions with grace and thanksgiving as it means work is progressing. Continue your prayers and let us not forget there is a world out there in need of our ministry and energies. I hope to see you Sunday.
Blessings to you and yours,
Karen+