Architectural Renewal Committee (ARC)

News from The Nave Committee: meeting of April 18, 2001

Nave Committee Proposal:
The Committee will proceed with the work as outlined in the Nave Committee proposal agreed to by the Corporation and Parish Council, under the three main headings of faith, function, form, in that order. We will look at the faith dimension over the next two meetings, examining the question "What is the theology which we wish to express as a faith community and within the neighbourhood in which we are located?"

Terms of Reference:
The committee approved terms of reference which included membership, responsibilities of members, communications and a preliminary workplan. The proposal, terms of reference, membership and minutes will be posted on the Nave Committee Bulletin Board.

General Comments:
The process is long term and is intended to be totally transparent. Members of the congregation will be encouraged to talk to individual committee members and will have numerous opportunities for specific input. There are many different perspectives on the present worship space and the needs of St. John's as a community of faith. These perspectives will be explored over the next few months. At the next meeting, John Gibaut from Saint Paul University will speak on church architecture and worship. (At the April 18 meeting, members viewed a 25 minute video on Reshaping the House of the Lord on church renovation in Atlantic Canada.)

News from The Nave Committee: meeting of May 16, 2001

Presentation on Liturgical Space by John Gibaut, Director of Anglican Studies, Saint Paul University

Most recently, John advised the Church of the Epiphany in the building of its new church.

In response to John's question regarding the function of liturgy many ideas emerged which included: sense of community (inclusive, welcoming); praise God, teach/learn, experience God, meditation, prayer, sense of home, peace, tradition, ritual, reconciliation, wholeness, identity, transformation, participation.

Ideally, liturgical space will reflect, to the greatest extent possible, the functions that the community feels the liturgy should serve. The liturgical space shapes both us and worship.

Regarding liturgical space, the Christian community moved from worshipping in people's homes to huge basilicas under Constantine to Gothic churches and cathedrals whose design was influenced by the monastic community. Churches became divided into 3 sections and clergy separated from the laity. Most North American Anglican churches are 19th century Gothic revival churches. Some churches built in this century have moved back to a single rather than 3 room model as a result of the Liturgical Movement and the newer understanding of church and community.

Liturgical space reflects what the community believes about itself. We need to examine liturgical space in terms of the main Christian liturgical symbols of: the gathered community, the table, where the Word is proclaimed, and the font. Principles to consider when changing liturgical space are: simplicity; utility; flexibility; intimacy; and beauty. (Our Chapel reflects all of these principles.)

News from The Nave Committee: meeting of July 1, 2001

The Nave Committee, at a recent meeting, agreed that: ideally, liturgical (worship) space will reflect, to the greatest extent possible, the functions that the community feels the liturgy should serve. The liturgical space reflects the community and shapes both us and worship.

If you are visiting other churches this summer, you might like to think about the liturgy and the liturgical space in light of the following:

Experience of Liturgical (Worship) Space
Outside: welcoming?
Entrance: accessibility to inside - ramp, stairs
Inside: where is the altar, font, lectern and how far away?
Seating: accessibility; style of seats; how positioned; is the choir separated? are the clergy separated? are those in wheelchairs separated? is there a sense of hierarchy?
Comfort of the space: hearing, seeing, sitting, kneeling
Eucharistic celebration: is there room for flexibility - standing, kneeling? were you gathered around the altar during the Eucharistic Prayer?
Does something predominate in the church: e.g. altar, font, lectern, pulpit, organ, stained glass? OR is there a sense of the whole?

St. John's has a varied ministry of hospitality that has used its worship space for such things as Art Credo, the Christmas play, concerts, workshops, lectures, meetings, and receptions. These sorts of events require a flexible space (e.g. accessibility, seating, lighting, acoustics, ventilation, plugs, etc.). Do you observe this flexibility in the space you are visiting?

Experience of Liturgy (Worship)

• Sense of mystery and holiness
• Experience of celebration (e.g. sacrament, singing)
• Experience of community
• Experience of prayer
• Experience of reconciliation
• Experience of proclamation and teaching
  (e.g. sermon; visual - windows, banners, posters; written notices, signs, etc.)
• Were you spiritually fed?
• Were you challenged for ministry?

News from The Nave Committee: meeting of September 23, 2001

Feedback from church visits by Committee members

• some churches have altar in centre, choir behind altar; however, choir behind altar can be, but is not necessarily, distracting
• some churches have moveable pews with kneelers attached
• some churches have stackable chairs that hook together
• cathedrals in England do not have fixed pews
• St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford has altar in the nave
• most churches with changed liturgical space are not functional for music
• it is a challenge to have flexible space and still create a sense of the sacred
• different feeling if altar is raised and distant or lower and closer (e.g. winter vs. summer altar at St. John's)
• there was discussion about the relationship between what we do and what the worship space is like; which comes first in attracting and keeping people: what we do or the inviting worship space?

Feedback from congregation and specific groups
Written input has been received from three members of the congregation. It was agreed to hold a workshop for the congregation on Sunday, November 18 from 12 to 1:30. Gordon will prepare a brief presentation on the history of church architecture and the changes that St. John's has undergone over the years. This will be followed by discussion. A second workshop will be held in January.

It was agreed that members would obtain input from the following groups and report at the October meeting: Art Credo; Christian Education; Altar Guild; Community Shop; Music; Prayer Ministry; Chamber Music Festival.

Other information to be collected
Information about an acoustical study and seating options/costs (pews and chairs) will be collected.

Please mark the November 18 Workshop on your calendar. We welcome your input at any time. See list of Nave Committee members posted in the Burke Room by the piano.

News from The Nave Committee: meeting of October 9, 2001

At its October 9 meeting, the committee planned the workshop for the congregation to be held on Sunday, November 18 from 12 to 1:30. A discussion document and the workshop outline will be available on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Lunch will be provided before the session starts. If you are able to bring sandwiches or cookies/squares on November 18, please sign up on the sheet outside the Burke Room.

Please plan to attend the November 18 Parish Workshop.

News from The Nave Committee: November 13 meeting

At its November 13 meeting, the Nave Committee received reports from members' meetings/discussions with parish and outside groups on those groups' identified needs and wishes.

Altar Guild:

• no suggested changes

Choir

• choir cannot lead congregational singing when sitting in the chancel; sound does not travel well into the nave
• half of the choir cannot hear the organ when singing from the chancel steps
• the choir feels excluded during the sermon and when worship activities take place in the nave

Clergy

• feel as if in a separate room, not just when presiding but also when sitting in chancel (choir seems like the congregation when presiding and is excluded when preaching)
• do not like being high above congregation when preaching
• would like to make optimal use of space in nave since there is a serious space problem in the church as a whole
• space needs to accommodate non-Eucharistic liturgies - funerals, weddings, etc.
• need small, private space for prayer and ministry; also space (e.g. carpeted area) at back for children who stay in church

Servers

• need a robing room with appropriate accessories
• need to ensure adequate seating for servers and places for processional items if any changes are made
• servers, sitting in the sanctuary, feel very disconnected from the congregation

Wheelchair Brigade

• washrooms are barely accessible by wheelchair

Prayer Ministries

• need a small, private space for prayer
• fixed pews in nave are not conducive to prayer workshops
• priest is far away; there is a lack of intimacy; should be more among the people

Christian Education

• attractive, moveable seating to accommodate Children's Christmas service, Stations of the Cross
• option for audio-visual set-up with drop down screen
• acoustical improvements
• separate classrooms for each class (classes that use the Burke Room and the Well cannot leave anything up permanently)

Alternative Worship

• open space is needed for some types of alternative worship: e.g. incorporating liturgical dance; using other art forms; using Taizé prayers
• alternative worship can be a way to open up spirituality and be more inclusive, particularly for those not coming from the Anglican tradition

Art Credo

• improved lighting, particularly on the pictures, but also overhead
• improved access to side walls, both for viewing and hanging pictures
• higher rail to hang large pictures; access also difficult for hanging large pictures

Community Shop:

• no suggested changes

Chamber Music Festival

• improved ventilation
• upgraded and more washrooms
• improved acoustics if possible
• more seating if possible

November 18 Nave Workshop

Excluding Nave Committee members, 54 people attended.

News from The Nave Committee: meeting of December 11, 2001

November 18 Parish Workshop

The detailed eight-page report of the workshop, which also incorporates comments received verbally and in writing outside the workshop, is posted outside the Burke Room in large print. Copies of the full report are available from the office. A two-page summary for distribution in In Lumine in January is being prepared. This summary report is now on our website.

Next Steps

Members agreed that it is premature to hold a second workshop in January, as had been previously discussed. Rather, it was agreed to arrange for interested parishioners to visit a small number of older churches which have done successful renovations. The date and churches to visit are still to be determined.

Regarding any potential changes, a number of areas need investigation. An acoustical study is needed. Information needs to collected regarding possibilities related to pews, lighting, heating/cooling, floors, and walls. Individual members will begin the initial investigation through discussions with parishioners with expertise.

News from The Nave Committee: meeting of February 12, 2002

Church Renovations:
Both St Luke's Anglican and St Joseph's RC have done renovations that could be helpful to our thinking. These two churches and the Seminary Chapel at Saint Paul University would be visited on the proposed church tour to be arranged in the spring.

Heating/Ventilation:
A preliminary view is that the most cost effective options may be to reduce heat loss from windows and perhaps heat the crypt.

Acoustics:
Chris Pye, an acoustical engineer and member of St John's, has agreed to do an initial acoustical analysis of the present configuration. This would require testing when a congregation is present.

Architectural Advice:
Cecilia Humphreys, an architect and member of St John's, has recommended the following:

• based on our mission statement, a set of specific objectives and priorities.



• a master plan, outlining non-discretionary items and options for redesigning the space.



• a complete physical assessment of the building, including mechanical (heating, ventilation, plumbing), electrical (particularly lighting in nave), acoustics, pews, floor, walls, windows



• a set of computerized drawings and the results of previous studies for any part of the building

Other Issues:
In any of our work, we need to look at the big picture for St John's. It was suggested that the committee looking at the basement should be a sub-committee of the Nave Committee. In particular, we must be thinking about the church school and improving their space.

Next Steps:
We will get professional advice on the pews.
Cecilia Humphreys will attend our next meeting.

News from The Nave Committee: meeting of 13 March, 2002

Presentation by Cecilia Humphreys, Architect
The Nave Committee invited Cecilia Humphreys to its March 13 meeting as input to our thinking. Cecilia outlined her professional qualifications and described a major renovation project of the convent buildings and chapel of Maison Accueil Sagesse on Montreal Road. The chapel renovation, completed in 1998, included major changes to heating, lighting, floors, windows, and entrance. The pews were made moveable. All work was completed on time and within budget. Her work methodology involves extensive client consultation, documented by minutes. A master plan is prepared when required, a programme developed and then decisions are made on what to move ahead on.

Report on Floor Structure and Pews
A professional structural engineer has made a visual and preliminary evaluation of the structural condition of the floor and similarly, a furniture expert has looked at the state of the pews. The floor is structurally sound but the finish is well worn. At the very least, it should be refinished and repainted in the next five years. If regularly maintained, the pews would last for a minimum of 20 years.

Nave Committee Mandate
Cecilia’s presentation was a great help in clarifying the committee’s thinking on the best approach and on our mandate as a committee. The committee agreed that a master plan was needed and that it must include the whole church. There was unanimous agreement that we need to broaden our mandate to include the church building as a whole and will seek approval to do this from Corporation and Parish Council.

News from The Nave Committee: meeting of 9 April, 2002

Expanded Mandate
At the March meeting, it was agreed that the committee would seek approval to expand its mandate to include the whole church building. Both the Corporation and the Rector have approved this expanded mandate. Parish Council will be asked for its support at its April 23 meeting. The name of the committee will be changed to reflect its broader responsibility.

Because of the expanded mandate, it was agreed to invite Wanda Dillabough to sit on the Committee as a representative of Christian Education. Glenn Calder will represent the Corporation and Jim Greene will also join the committee.

Church Visits
It was agreed to arrange visits to four renovated churches on a Saturday morning. The visit would be open to any interested members of the congregation. (See the separate notice.)

Acoustics
The Committee expressed its thanks for the professional study of the acoustics, done by Chris Pye (Integral Acoustics), a member of the congregation. His findings confirmed that the acoustics are poor for music, particularly high frequencies. The next step would be to analyse the effect of changing some surface materials using a computer model.

Architects
The committee agreed that the next step in the process was to select an architect. Potential criteria for architect selection were discussed by the committee and were agreed to. The process for selecting an architect will be informal, that is based on an interview with the architect plus references, rather than based on a formal submission from several architects. Either the committee or a sub-group including Garth and Gordon would make the final decision.

News from The Nave Committee: meeting of 14 May, 2002

Expanded Mandate
Parish Council has approved the expanded mandate of the committee to include the whole church building. Wanda Dillabough, representing Christian Education, Glenn Calder representing the Corporation, and Jim Greene, member at large have joined the committee. The committee will be renamed to reflect the expanded mandate.

Church Visits
The visits to 4 churches took place on May 4. Nave Committee members felt the visits were very worthwhile. In addition to the Nave Committee, 16 members of the congregation participated. Each participant will be asked for feedback via a questionnaire.

Architects
The committee reviewed a preliminary assessment of architects. Two architects will be asked for references and their fee structure. The goal is to select an architect within the next month.

Architectural Renewal Committee Report: 7 July 2002

Expanded Mandate.
To reflect the broader mandate (the church building as a whole), the new name of the Nave Committee is the Architectural Renewal Committee (ARC).

Church Visits.
Ten participants provided their feedback regarding the visits to the four churches in May. There were a number of helpful observations. Architect. ARC recommended to Corporation that Cecilia Humphreys be selected as the architect and this recommendation was accepted by Corporation.

Cecilia is a member of St John's and was the architect responsible for the renovations to the chapel at Maison Accueil Sagesse. In the fall, another visit to the chapel will be arranged so that interested members of the congregation who were unable to visit the chapel in May will have an opportunity to see Cecilia's work.

A sub-committee of ARC will work with Cecilia over the summer on the next steps in the process.

Architectural Renewal Committee Report: September 10, 2002

Questionnaire re St John's.
Cecilia Humphreys, our architect, has prepared a series of questions relating to St. John's (its values, needs, physical environment, etc.) and ARC has prepared responses. These responses will be input to design alternatives.

Next Steps.
Cecilia will undertake a site analysis (location, building) and a space analysis (how space is used and the needs of different programmes). Because the proposed renovation has expanded to include the whole building, Cecilia, with members of ARC, will have specific discussions with the Community Shop, the Well and the choir, regarding their needs. We will review our previous input from other groups in the church to see if additional information is needed. Based on this analysis, Cecilia can develop actual designs.

Parking Lot.
The parking lot is significant in terms of providing a source of revenue for our renovation. Once we have determined our needs, we can define our expectations for development of the parking lot.

Seminar for the Congregation - Saturday afternoon, Nov 2, 2002
This seminar will provide a framework for thinking about our renovations. Garth will introduce the seminar with his experience of worship at St John's and his vision. It will be followed by a presentation on early church architecture. The next presentation will relate tradition with the future. The final presentation will deal with church renovations and acoustics. Each presentation will be followed by questions and discussion.

Visit to the Chapel of Maison Accueil Sagesse on September 28:
see separate notice in Bulletin.

ARC budget requirements.
Without knowing what would really be needed, $5000 was allocated in the 2002 budget. With Cecilia's work to date and the upcoming seminar, all of this has been spent. In order to continue, we need additional funds (estimated amount still to be determined) until the end of December. We will then need to include a more substantial amount in the budget next year.

Architectural Renewal Committee Report: October 8, 2002

Visit to the Chapel of Maison Accueil Sagesse on September 28:
Eight parishioners saw the chapel for the first time and saw first hand Cecilia Humphreys' approach to architectural design. (See a picture of the Chapel and read the article on the back page of Crosstalk regarding the women of St John's compline choir singing Compline at the Chapel.)

Feasibility Study.
Interviews with major groups in the church to determine needs are almost complete. This is key input to the feasibility study, which will be completed in twelve months by Cecilia Humphreys. Cecilia is now preparing milestones and costs for the feasibility study. The result would be preliminary designs for the total project.

Lighting in the Nave.
The committee asked Cecilia to immediately develop a costed proposal to improve the lighting in the nave.

Architectural Renewal Committee Seminar: November 2, 2002

In order to assist parishioners and committee members in examining the possibilities for improving St John's, ARC sponsored a Church Architecture Seminar at St John's on Saturday afternoon, November 2nd. Three architects presented information sessions and participated in an open forum on church architecture. Our guests were:

• Stephen Fai, Professor of Architecture and doctoral candidate in Religious Studies and Early Christian Architecture;
• Helmut Klassen, Architectural Historian and doctoral candidate in Architecture and Communication; and
• James Bailey, Architect, Church and Acoustic Specialist from Toronto

Parish Notice: December 1, 2002

On November 19, Parish Council approved total expenditures of $35,000 for ARC to prepare for a special vestry, early in 2003, regarding church renovations. The initial budget for ARC ($5,000) was developed a year ago, before the decision to expand the mandate of the committee to the whole building and without any assessment of the costs of hiring an architect to develop a proposal. In June 2002, St John's hired Cecilia Humphreys as the architect for the St John's renovations. Work to October 2002 has cost about $10,000.

In order to determine if the development of the parking lot will be part of our thinking, we need to do a soils test and survey, and Cecilia needs to develop concept plans for both the church and the parking lot (the plan for which will depend on the results of the soils test). The estimated cost of this work is $25,000. As much as $15,000 of this amount will come from the existing unspent building committee budget and the remainder from the St John's Fund. The results of this work will be presented to a special vestry on February 2 (two weeks later than the January 19 date proposed to Parish Council). At that meeting, ARC will be seeking approval to proceed (including approval of a budget) based on the results of the analysis now being undertaken.

Report of the Special Vestry - February 9, 2003
Distributed 16 Feb 03

ARC would like to thank the over 100 parishioners for their participation and support at the Special Vestry held to discuss renovations to St John's. Thanks to all those who made sandwiches and goodies and helped with the set up and clean-up.

At the two hour meeting, ARC presented the results of its analysis to date by means of both an overhead slide presentation and photos. After questions about the material presented, the following three motions were discussed and then passed almost unanimously.

Motion 1:
It is moved by Gay Richardson and seconded by Bill Broughton that St John's proceed immediately with the necessary studies and analyses and the subsequent preparation of a schematic design including an estimated cost for construction, at a cost of $58,000 payable from the St John's Fund. Such a design would address the areas in critical need of attention, the space requirements for our ministries, and the worship area needs at St John's.

Motion 2:
In order to determine the financial viability of the development of the parking lot, it is moved by Gay Richardson and seconded by Hans Stenman that ARC be authorized to spend $5,000 from the St John's Fund to immediately obtain a pro forma financial analysis of the parking lot development.

Motion 3:
If the pro forma financial analysis determines that development of the parking lot is financially beneficial to St John's, it is moved by Gay Richardson and seconded by Adele Finlayson that Corporation, in consultation with Parish Council, be given authority to authorize ARC to proceed as soon as possible to seek prospective developers to undertake the development.

ARC would return to Vestry for approval to proceed with any development. Any legal and other costs associated with this work would be paid from the St John's Fund, to be recovered and repaid from the development proceeds.

The results of financial analysis of the St John's parking lot (Motion 2) should be available within the next month. As noted during the Vestry meeting, the amount of money available from the parking lot will affect the scope of the renovations. The schematic design will therefore reflect this information.

ARC has taken note of the comments made during the discussion. If you still have questions or comments that you did not have a chance to express, we would welcome them. Please feel free to contact any member of ARC. For those who were unable to attend, copies of the slides are available at the back of the church.

Architectural Renewal Committee (ARC) Members:

Chair: Gay Richardson
Beverlee Bewley
Patricia Bowen
Bill Broughton
Garth Bulmer
Glenn Calder
Brian Cameron
Jim Cummings
Wanda Dillabough
Adele Finlayson
John Gallienne
Jim Greene
Jack Gurney
Gordon Johnston
Bayne Pearen
Sharon Schollar
Hans Stenman

Parish Notice - 23 March, 2003

The large notice board outside the Burke Room is now devoted to ARC. The Ministry Showcase, previously in this location, has been moved to the Burke Room.

At the Special Vestry, a number of slides were shown illustrating the physical state and limitations of St John's. Photos are now posted on the new ARC board in the hall outside the Burke Room. For those who would like to see this evidence for themselves, Cecilia Humphreys, our architect, has offered to show those who are interested the various spaces that need to be addressed. She will be available following the 10:15 service on March 30 and also on April 6 for a brief tour of the building.

Please sign up on the sheet posted on the ARC noticeboard for the Sunday that suits you or call the church office (232-4500). Space is limited.

[This article was amended 15 Apr 03. db]

News from the ARC - 27 April 2003

The Architectural Renewal Committee has established a sub-committee to look specifically at the needs of the nave (the worship space). This sub-committee has developed Guiding Principles to be used in examining potential configurations for the Nave. On April 13, more than 20 members of the congregation provided their input on both the Guiding Principles for the renewal of the Nave and the architectural and historical elements to be preserved. (This information had been presented in a bulletin insert the two previous weeks.) Following is a summary of the comments from that meeting.

• Guiding principles are important as they will provide a blueprint for assessment; future discussions will be based on them.
• It is important to have guiding principles but these are biased towards modernism.
• The term 'preservation' is used too often in the principles.
• The word 'preservation' should mean preserving existing space; any restructuring means destroying preservation - existing space should remain unchanged.
• The principles regarding flexibility, movement and visibility are not necessary.
• Building community is important - the choir needs to see the preacher. The opposite point of view was also expressed.
• Our understanding of community has changed radically, and parish life now is very different from when the church was first built.
• There was support for having the choir in the same area as the congregation, but not for the choir appearing to perform a concert in services.
• What does flexibility mean? The answer given was: the ability to use space for Art Credo, Stations of the Cross, liturgical dance, concerts, prayer vigils, etc.
• Two new principles should be added:
• regarding the degree of connection between what is done in the ancillary space and the worship space;
• regarding the environmental impact proposed changes would have.

General comments and comments on what should be preserved:

• Should consider selling and relocating.
• Basic systems are most important.
• Not necessary to excavate the crypt.
• Must avoid ending up with something less than what we would like, due to lack of finances.
• People don't like the new chapel. The opposite view was also expressed.
• The chapel should not be made smaller.
• The present chapel is merely a means of entering and exiting the chancel, rather than a space set aside. A separate space is needed.
• All stained glass should not be preserved since we need more natural light.
• Can we have better acoustics and yet retain wood panelling?
• The existing building is beautiful, and should not be changed; however, it is okay to repair the ancillary space.
• There is a need to have faith that just as the present building is beautiful, so something new would also be beautiful and respond to present day needs.

People who believe that changes are necessary to the Guiding Principles are asked to submit them in writing to a member of ARC. The principles are posted on the St John's web site.

News from the ARC - 15 June 2003

Following discussions with several developers, St John's has received a very exciting proposal from well-known developer Bill Teron. He proposes to purchase the parking lot plus 3 feet of church property in order to build affordable housing. As well, he will provide one floor of parking for St John's (38 spaces) and $1 million to assist in our renovation. He is suggesting that this project would become a "church related affordable housing demonstration project." He is making this proposal in order to give something back to the community.

The Corporation and the ARC Steering Committee met with Bill Teron and Chris Teron to further explore the proposal and proposed partnership. Some key points discussed included:

1. If the development were a 10 storey condominium, the selling price would likely be between $100K and $150K for one and two bedroom apartments and be accessible to people with incomes between $25K and $47K with a 5% down payment.



2. If the development comprised rental units, it would serve even lower income people - 60% of residents would come from the housing registry and St John's could have priority in renting the remaining units. (Rental units would only be possible with support from the City of Ottawa, obtained by competing and winning against other proposals, with a likely submission deadline in September.)



3. What would the linkage be, if any, between St John's renovation of its ministry areas and the parking lot development? Further design and costing are needed to assist in making this decision.

After the 10:15 service today we invite you to discuss informally this proposal with Corporation and ARC members.

Also, if you are a low income person, please let us know if you would like to rent or own one of these apartments should this possibility become a reality.

If this proposal seems desirable for St John's, the Corporation will seek a vestry decision from the congregation in early fall.

News from the ARC - 29 June 2003

On May 25, 2003, ARC made a presentation to the congregation concerning its proposals for the worship space and an expanded entrance on Somerset Street. The purpose of the June 8 consultation was to seek feedback from the congregation on the material presented. There was also an opportunity to provide verbal and written comment to members of ARC.

Excluding members of ARC, there were 53 participants. Several of these participants also provided written comments. Comments supported by sketches were prepared by Harvie Cocks as well as a group of parishioners and are available in the church office. Written and verbal comments were received from another 9 parishioners. Thus, this report is a summary of the views of 62 parishioners and does not include the views of any member of ARC. A detailed 10 page report, providing many of the specific comments and a brief summary of the revised sketches presented to ARC, is available in the church office and is posted on the ARC notice board.

Ministry and Ministry Area:
Almost all supported upgrading the ministry area, making specific reference to such things as adequate Church school classrooms and fixing the basic physical systems.

Worship Space:
About one fifth do not want any change whatsoever to the worship space. They do not support using any part of the worship space to provide additional space for ministry. The rest, either explicitly or implicitly, accepted the possibility of reducing the size of the chancel and chapel to create more space for ministry. For example, both sets of sketches presented to ARC assumed a smaller chancel. These proposals also placed the choir in the chancel facing the congregation in several rows. Choir members indicated that they feel cut off in the chancel. A number expressed a concern that the feel of the worship space would change with any new configuration. About one third supported the Ascension Window configuration.

Entrances:
A number of people were excited about the proposed Somerset Street entrance while others did not like the appearance of the proposed atrium (likening it to a shopping centre or Loblaws). Concern regarding the Somerset Street entrance seemed to focus on its appearance and its cost. A majority of participants did not want to lose the Elgin Street door. Reasons included: the Elgin Street entrance is more welcoming; we need a presence on Elgin Street, and closing off the Elgin Street entrance would be cutting off our visible outreach to Elgin Street. Others felt that St John's would still have a presence on Elgin Street even if the entrance was on Somerset Street. Those who generally enter St John's from the parking lot seemed less concerned about not having the Elgin Street door.

Finances:
A number of people expressed their concern regarding the cost and how the renovations would be financed. The other financial demands (e.g. deficit, residential schools) need to be considered.

Financing will be fully addressed by the early fall. During the course of the summer, costing for renovations to both the ministry area and the worship area will be prepared. A plan for funding the renovations, to be done in phases, will also be presented. This plan will take into account the development of the parking lot and an offer of $1 million for the renovations.

Our preliminary assessment of the costs suggests that renovation of the worship area will be in a future phase. However, an interim arrangement will be necessary if space is removed from the front of the church, in the present altar area, to create space for the ministry area. An interim design, with an Elgin Street entrance, will be prepared over the summer. In this context, ARC will examine the feasibility of the sketches presented to it by interested parishioners.

The congregation may still wish to consider configuration 3 (Ascension Window) with an Elgin Street entrance as the longer term configuration and so our architect, Cecilia Humphreys, is preparing a revised design with an Elgin Street entrance.

Cecilia will prepare clearer illustrations of the Somerset Street entrance, recognizing the concerns expressed regarding its appearance.

ARC will have information meetings over the summer to report on progress. On Wednesday, August 6, at 7:30 p.m. there will be a presentation on the revised vision developed in response to input provided at the June 8 consultation. As well, additional written information will be provided to respond to some of the questions raised and misunderstandings that surfaced during the June 8 consultation.

In designing the ministry area, ARC and the Corporation will explore the degree of integration with the proposed parking lot development. For example, the condo development may extend into the present office area, hall and part of the chancel, with ministry space allocated to St John's within the building. It is assumed that some of the necessary additional space for ministry will come from the front of the chancel and the chapel. Once more specific information is available regarding the proposed condo development, the congregation will be asked for input.

If the proposal to develop the parking lot seems desirable for St John's, the Corporation will seek a vestry decision from the congregation this fall.