PMC Building needs/likes/dislikes discussions: key themes
A total of 35 persons participated in seven small group discussions.
Themes that came up in many of the discussions
What participants like in a worship space
Being connected to the outdoors and to nature
Frequent references to worship spaces (ECM and others) described as airy, with big windows that allowed you to see the outside and brought in lots of natural light. The use of natural materials like wood and stone.
Simplicity: A simple approach to decor. Our current space was described approvingly by one person as being “small, plain, intimate; it can get its arms around you.”
A space that helps create community: Semi-circular or other seating arrangement that allows you to see more people and expresses a sense of community, fellowship, lack of hierarchy.
Not too small or too large (See below)
Good acoustics
What we need in our current setting
More space
For worship: Often feels too crowded, hard to move around, get in and out of
aisles. Concern that a new person or family visiting for the first time would be
discouraged from returning.
For other activities: Classrooms for children and adults, spaces to talk and visit in ways that don’t disturb those in worship space.
However, don’t want to be a “big” church.
Better acoustics: Can be hard to hear and to have a conversation. Sub-theme: would be nice to have a speaker system so that if you have to step out of the worship space you can still hear the service.
Themes that came up in some groups
Service to the community: As we plan expansion we should keep in mind ways in which our facilities could serve the needs of the community (Family Promise site, child care, community garden, specific North Lawrence needs).
Space for life events: Do we want to have enough space to accommodate events such as weddings or funerals that may involve larger numbers than our usual Sunday attendance?
The outdoors: We’ve done some nice things with the landscaping, but there is more we could do with the land we have: playground, outdoor worship area, labyrinth, “green” cemetery, bird sanctuary, gazebo, screened area, fire circle, bat and purple martin houses.
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