As many of you have noticed and commented, there are some radical changes that have taken place in our sanctuary over the last few weeks. I have heard nothing but positive feedback, but if you have any concerns, you are welcome to share those as well.
The first change is that we now have three monitors in our sanctuary for our projected images and words during worship. Aesthetically, the two monitors at the front of the sanctuary are equal in size, unlike the former setup with a large screen on the right and a smaller monitor mounted on the chancel floor. And, we were able to take the older, slightly smaller monitor that was on the floor and mount it in the back so the choir and liturgists can see what the rest of us see. Practically, the images on the screens are sharper and clearer and the height of the screens means you can sit behind that really tall person and still see everything! Many thanks to Jack Freytag, who put together the initial proposal for the screens, and Kathy Roberts who helped to shepherd the process along. And thanks to the elders on our session, who saw the original plans and allocated the funds for its installation.
The second change that our worship commission has installed fabric and lettering for our Lenten décor. You can see “Reveal” which was our theme last week as we read the story of Blind Beggar Bartimaeus. This week is “Lament,” as we hear Jesus lamenting the state and fate of Jerusalem. Our use of décor during particular seasons of the church is to enable everyone who enters to have an immediate sense of what the season is about. This year, the worship commission asked Nikki Abejon to assist with the design and creation of the words that correspond with the themes of our six weeks of Lent, and Drew Abejon led the installation itself. And every season, Jeremy Smith has the unlovely task of climbing the extension ladder and doing the high-altitude stuff. It looks perfect. Thanks all around.
I want to share a quick word about how we use the screens. When we first started, I approached the screens like projected bulletins – plain font for ‘one,’ and bold font for “all,” italics for lyrics, and other tricks of the trade. I learned that folks with macular degeneration have difficulty reading italics and bold font, so we quit using them for responsive, participatory words. In a workshop on inclusivity in worship, I discovered that there is a font for persons with dyslexia, but also that it works best in printed material and is difficult for those with vision challenges to read in projected words. So, we are constantly making adjustments, increasing font size, looking for the cleanest and most readable font, and other such things week after week. Since turning to the screens, we no longer use and recycle more than 200 bulletins each week. And, the screens enable us to use music that may not be in our hymnal, or alternate lyrics that are better suited to our theology. (Add screen technology to the list of “things they didn’t teach us in seminary.”)
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Now, a few announcements:
Tomorrow, February 28, SueJeanne Koh will go before the Presbytery for her final approval for ordination. Pray that all goes smoothly, as I believe it will. Soon we’ll announce her ordination service.
Are you, or is someone you know, a young adult with a passion for organizing for justice? CLUE has a 2026 Young Religious Leaders Fellowship opportunity for those who are passionate about economic justice and faith-rooted community organizing. Click here for details and how to apply.
Did you know that there is a women-led prayer vigil for our immigrant community that pray for the disappeared every other Thursday at noon? They invite you to join them at the Santa Ana Immigration Court, 1231 E. Dyer Road in Santa Ana, March 5 and 12. Click here for more information.
What do you know about homelessness in Orange County? United to End Homelessness is hosting a “Homelessness 101” class on Friday, March 6, from 12PM – 2PM in the United Way Orange County building, 18012 Mitchell South in Irvine. Click here for more information and to register.
Continuing our Lenten Journey together,
Mark of St. Mark
