Rationale for Policy:
1) Unique Space: Even unadorned, the narthex is a very beautiful,
intriguing, and functional space, and is used for a wide variety of
specific parish functions throughout the year. These events include
Newcomer’s dinners, occasionally the 5:30 services, Taize, Evensong,
Carols and Cookies, weddings and funerals, school functions, and Live
Nativity Open Houses. Adding more elements that would have to be moved
to and from the Parish Hall during these activities would be a hassle.
And many of the current displays are not easily moveable, for example,
the Sox Appeal display is very heavy.
2) Visitors: One of the most important things we do in our
narthex is welcoming our visitors. Their first impression should be
positive and welcoming, not chaotic or overwhelming. The Newcomers
Station should be readily visible and reasonably quiet for talking with
visitors and newcomers, answering questions, filling out visitor cards,
etc.
3) Noise level: It’s already loud on Sunday morning before
services; why draw in more activity and conversation? Ushers have a
challenge quieting the crowd before the 10:15 service in order to
maintain some sense of quiet in the Nave for meditation and preparation
for worship. Adding to the current activity would not be helpful.
4) Size of narthex: Furniture or fixtures already in the narthex
include chairs for people waiting for others, stand for intercessory
prayer list, information kiosk, and Newcomers’ Station. In addition, the
existing bulletin board space features our Vision, Mission, and Areas of
Emphasis which is an important communication vehicle for the parish. A
display case and signage on the west wall provide information on the
locations of various activities and directions to facilities on our
campus. With the size of our current membership, this is frequently a
crowded space and it is difficult negotiating traffic between services.
5) Stained glass windows: The existing stained glass windows will
soon occupy the narthex windows. To adequately appreciate these pieces
we should limit the amount of visual elements in the narthex. Just as
the old bulletin board space became unworkable and overwhelming visual
clutter, we can create a narthex so filled with varied elements, that it
overpowers the senses, makes for a confusing first impression, and might
block the windows.
6) Visiting: We have been “training” our parishioners to visit in
the Parish Hall between and after services with the coffee and
refreshments there. We want to encourage traffic toward that end of the
facilities where sign-ups and informative bulletin boards are also
located. As the common sign-up location has shown, and as is the
practice for most items currently, parishioners are learning that the
Parish Hall and nearby hallway is the place to meet, greet, enjoy
refreshments, sign-up, drop off, check out the bulletin boards, and
purchase whatever tickets, etc. are currently on sale.
7) Determining who gets the space: Many groups promote their
“causes”, e.g., ECW Auction tickets and collection baskets out for
eyeglasses, cell phones, travel soaps & shampoos; IHN selling pins and
signing up hosts; EYC Greenery Sale and Christmas Sox Appeal; Mission
Trips; VBS; acolyte events; HAAM food drive and school supplies; LOTS
clothing drive and Bibles and Blankets drive; choir trips; summer camp;
Holy Trinity Episcopal School; stewardship; Rally Day; Live Nativity;
Cancer support information table. If we allow one group in the narthex,
how do you justify denying any another group?
Policy:
The purpose of this policy is to maintain the narthex as a space
relatively free from clutter and conducive to a variety of uses and
activities.
Displays, tables, stands, posters, and other fixtures which promote
organizations, activities, and events, or which collect funds for such
events shall not be located in the narthex.December
17, 2002, as amended January 1, 2003 |