What an honor it is to be here today! As Dietrich Bonhoeffer says in his book Life Together “It is grace, nothing but grace, that allows us to live in community together.” Thank you for the opportunity to be on this transformation journey with you!
First of all, I would like to say, it is so good to be a part of a capital campaign where we are not tearing down buildings. Tearing down buildings is hard, but this capital campaign is energizing because we are focusing on things we care deeply about, including hospitality and accessibility. We are on a mission to welcome everyone in this place.
The pieces to this capital campaign that excite me the most are: the paved parking lot, the covered drop off, and new sound systems for the sanctuary and Kelly Auditorium. Let’s begin with the parking lot. For those of you who have not figured this out, it is not easy for everyone to walk on gravel. Also, we are in desperate need of more handicapped parking spaces. My mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when I was 13 years old. I can tell you first hand the importance of accessible parking lots and entries. I can also tell you that if it is raining and you are helping someone get out of a car who uses a wheelchair or other mobility device, a covered dropoff helps everyone involved in that situation.
And now let’s talk about another important piece of this capital campaign: sound systems. You may or may not have noticed, but it is not always easy to hear in this sanctuary. Part of this struggle may depend on where you are sitting in the sanctuary, and part of this may depend on how well your hearing aids are working. I know about hearing aids. I began my terrifying journey with hearing loss 25 years ago, and I can testify that the technological advances in this field in recent years have been astounding. But anyone who wears hearing aids can tell you, hearing aids do not restore perfect hearing. Being able to hear in crowds, noisy rooms, and large spaces such as our beautiful sanctuary is often like trying to hear underwater. It feels like drowning. The difference between a good sound system and a bad sound system is the difference between giving or denying oxygen to a patient. Sound system technology, just like hearing aid technology, continues to improve. I am so excited that we will be able to take advantage of the latest advancements in sound technology by giving to this capital campaign.
As a side note, while I have the microphone I would like to take this opportunity to say something about microphones. Even the best sound systems only work when used correctly. On behalf of all of us who really want to know what you are saying, please use a microphone if you are speaking in a large room, especially if you are speaking in Kelly Auditorium. Also, please hold the microphone close to your mouth and keep it there. If you would like instructions about how to do this, please ask David Williamson to coach you on the art of the use of microphones. Remember, it is not just a microphone, it is a lifeline for the hearing impaired.
Thank you so much for making accessibility a priority in this capital campaign! May God bless us all on this journey.