Visions 2000 is St. George's
plan
for upgrading our physical
environment
August 2003 Update
Dear People of St. George’s,
Where
does a lost soul look for inspiration?
Things have been rather quiet. Mary
Ann and I returned from vacation, our
son Joe returned safely from
Russia and Katie has presumably
been driving under imposed speed limits.
We just didn’t plan for the July 19 youth
sailing adventure so I can’t write about
that. I’m sure one of the kids in the
group could contribute a good story or
two about it in a future Orbit. We did
meet the relatives of the Ted Knox
family at the July 20, 10:30 service.
Their church is over a hundred years old
and it is in the process of renewal.
“They came to St. George’s for
inspiration, so why can’t I?” I thought
to myself.
I popped into
the church during lunchtime and headed
for the office. Carol was out and
Paul was in the loft. So I headed
to the Parish Hall for an intelligence
briefing. I went through the etched glass
doors and just past the opening in the
upper level. I couldn’t see Paul so I
looked down and turned around. I was
struck immediately by the gorgeous
Canterbury-style cross that adorns the
far wall and altar. I stood there and
stared when a familiar voice spoke from
above. God’s voice? Nope, just Paul as he
asked me what I thought about this new
addition. “Wow! It’s beautiful and it
fits perfectly with everything else in
the room,” I responded. “The gentleman
who etched the doors helped me design and
build it. It’s a motif that was used
extensively during the early years of the
Anglican Church.” He informed me. “Well,
it looks great,” I said as I walked up
the spiral staircase to get another
perspective.
Once again I
was awestruck. Thanks to the help of
Kirby Leeper, there is enough
computing power up there in that loft to
manage the control tower at Chicago’s
O’Hare Airport. Paul was working on a
PowerPoint Presentation for the
Cornerstone project. I can see that Mary
Ann and I will have to attend service
just to see how all the electronics work.
I looked at the cross again. “The
mirrored glass will be lighted as soon as
the electrician installs a switch.” Paul
beamed and I imagined out loud, “What a
sight that will be!”
“Things have
been moving rather slowly
construction-wise,” Paul said, “but we
are making progress.” Paul pointed out
the change to the changes taking place
for a new water fountain (one that will
make cold water). The crinkled glass
storm window in the Narthex has been
contracted for replacement with the help
of ex-officio Building and Grounds
Chairman, Garth Williams and the
Undercroft kitchen continues to get
spruced up. Paul then informed me that
the grass is greener. “What side?” I had
to ask. “All sides!” He explained as the
new lawn crew has done a great job of
propagating and manicuring the lawns
around St. George’s.
Progress has
slowed but perhaps that’s the calm before
our newest flurry of activity. Jim
Montgomery has gathered a crew of
volunteers to drum up support for Visions
2000 Phase II which is essentially the
new building addition. If you are called
on, please consider making a pledge. I
believe one of Jesus’ disciples said,
“Many are called, don’t let your wallets
be frozen!” I’m not sure which disciple
it was that said that but he drives home
a good point.
Uh, Oh! Mary
Ann is working in the 'National Botanical
Garden' and she just got bitten by
another pesky mosquito. I promised I
would fog the area. GOTTA GO!
Peace be with
you and the world!
Patrick MacKenzie
Webpage
updated 28 July 2003: mvp |
