Time to consider: Pentecost Celebration in Retrospect

What did we do well?
What needs to be reconsidered?
What should we scrap

I heard from several people that the music was absolute great, perfect, stunning. Great job David and your musicians!

The balloons seemed to me to make more of a difference in the church décor than did the drapes on the lights but by themselves I’m not so sure. Has anyone a memory of a time with only balloons in the nave at Christ Church?

And speaking of balloons I tied them to the kids as they went up for communion. The effect from the back was stunning! All those signals of the Spirit moving about the church.

The incense outside seemed to be just about right wafting in from time to time. The charcoal went out and I put a new piece in while others were greeting during the peace. I was told by folks that they noticed a sweet waft of incense as the offering was going forward and they thought it was perfect. (little did they know, but it means that in the future we can think about when we want incense to be noticed and plan accordingly) I was also told by several people that they like incense but usually it is too strong and this was just right. So perhaps in less warm weather that means a little incense could be brought into the back of the church from the porch and taken back out again instead of swinging the censure.

The drapes are going into a storage box if we want them again they will be available.

The only comment I had on the mist coming from the font was a how did we do that question. Any one else get any comments?

The sheets of bible verses were discarded with the other papers from the service. That does not work in this format. ACE would have to wave them about and ask for folks to respond. Maybe in the parish hall after service.

No one mentioned the oil as a sign of the spirit but people did go into the niche for prayers.

Great idea to take bread and wine to the cooks! It not only includes them in the service but it reminds the congregation that some one is working pretty hard to make the party happen.

Wally, Bob N., and I took the drapes off the lights after the service so as not to have to come back early on Wednesday to do it. We need to have a better plan for clean up of the church as well as the parish hall next church do.

I never made it into the parish hall for lunch (I ate during the vestments meeting) so I have no idea how that went. It looked like things were well organized from the outside but I think Susan needs to let us know what has to be done to organize the kitchen crew. How many bodies does it take and when to get a meal out for the parish.

I was told by the ushers that there were 91 people in the church after the offering.

The combined service at 9 seems to be confusing a fair number of people, 8am showed up early and 10 came late. Folks handled the extra service on Easter but 8 and 10 were still available. People also did OK with the change of time on Christmas Day. But then the extra services on Saturday drew them, and Christmas day is always a less well attended service. May be that any time change has to be associated with a major feast and we have not done the education necessary for our folks to realize Pentecost is a major feast.

Thanks to everyone for all the hard work. Now can I get you to read this over and add your comments and mail them back to me? I file all this stuff in folders on the computer for use next time.