Over the last few months it has been fascinating to read in the
Parish Magazine the various letters and comments regarding the possible
removal of the pews in Holy Trinity Church and the wider debate about
the re-ordering of the church to make it more suitable for worship in
the 21st century. These topics have certainly stirred up passionate
feelings! (See the Parish
Magazines for August, September and October 2012.)
Let me make one thing clear – there is no possibility that the pews in
the nave will be replaced by chairs in the foreseeable future! Whatever
the pros and cons of either form of seating we simply couldn’t afford
to buy enough replacement chairs! Having said that, there may be some
mileage in the idea of removing just the pews in the side aisles which
are only used two or three times a year. This would de-clutter the
church and provide space for exhibitions, make it easier to do the
Stations of the Cross, have a better space for a children’s area etc.
We would need to buy some new chairs for use on the few occasions when
they would be needed – chairs which could be stacked when not in use.
As far as re-ordering the church so that clergy, choir and congregation
are closer together during worship – this is something I think we do
need to give consideration to in the run-up to our 150th anniversary in
2015. Surely an anniversary such as this provides us with an excellent
opportunity to think about the future of our parish church as well as
its past. So the 150th Planning Group will certainly be considering
whether to include it among their suggestions for the 2015
celebrations.
Do be assured however, no plans will be furthered without full
consultation with everyone. Membership of the 150th Planning Group is
open to all members of our congregation so if you want to be part of
this process you would be very welcome to come along. Meanwhile I think
everyone has had plenty of opportunity to comment on the ‘pews’ issue
and so hopefully we can draw that particular controversy to an end!
As the Planning group look to the future and formulate their proposals
– they will be reporting to the PCC next year – what we can all do as a
parish is – to pray! We can plan all we like but unless we are open to
God’s will for us then we will be wasting our time – ‘Unless the Lord
builds the house; those who build it labour in vain.’ (Psalm 127:1). I
believe that we should deepen the prayer life of the parish and am
proposing that we make 2013 a special year of prayer. More of this very
soon!