Over the summer, the leadership team created a subcommittee to explore alternative worship venues in our area that might be in our price range. We came up with nothing. Meanwhile, Gustavo did an assessment of where Southpoint people live, and lo and behold, our current location is smack dab in the middle of that average centerpoint. The absence of other suitable locations, and the centrality of where we currently are, caused us to reimagine how we could make this space work:
What if we could get rid of some of the old furniture so there was more room in the foyer. What if we could deconstruct the choir loft, remove the steps, move everything, worship, communion, kids talk, onto the stage? What if we rented the office with the glass walls and used it as a second nursery area so parents could have a quiet place to be with their babies if they needed it.
Our contract was up for renewal in August, and having no other viable option, we signed. But along with the signature, I included these questions in an email. Two weeks ago, Aug 21st, Carolyn, Stuart and I met with Derville and Anna from Peninsula to talk about these ideas.
Our timing was just right. They had just finished moving everything they wanted from this space into their new building and were open to our ideas. Anything remaining we could get rid of, replace, or change at our expense, of course, and with their approval. (Except the choir pews, they need to get that approved.) They agreed we could rent the second office for only $110 a month, and said we could rip out the desk to make a place for our children.
As this conversation was unfolding, an L-shaped couch arrived in Jane Crompton’s staging warehouse, and she offered it to us for only $225! That meant we had work to do! So, Scott, Brian, Craig, Carolyn, Stuart, Jane and Madison helped take out the old and bring in the new. In two weeks, we went from having an idea to having it done and dusted!
I gave Alpida, the administrator of Peninsula, a big hug and said thank you for this! She said, “We are so happy for you, it couldn’t happen to better people. We just love you guys. We love your church.” And I felt it, that flow. The possibility of renewal when people soften and open their hearts to one another in love. Dried and desiccated things can be renewed. Outworn places can be refreshed. It felt like living water. It felt like abundance.
This is a source of hope for our Creation. As we open ourselves up to the flow of God’s movement, as we open and soften to the waters of presence and return to the Source of love, as we practice seeing slowly what is emerging and join God in what God is doing, who knows how corners of creation will be restored and renewed.
As we shall see next week, God is an ecological restorationist. God will always be consistent with God’s self, moving through space and time, even in the midst of drought and destruction, to rejuvenate, renew, and restore Creation. God’s intention is to draw us into this flow.
Blessings, Anne