Shining Light Team Happenings
The Shining Light Team has been very busy these summer months with big projects, little projects and often small changes that often aren’t noticed. We would like to give you an update on some of these improvements around the church.
Reception Office
Changes have been gradual, and if you haven’t stopped in lately, you need to see the elegance of the renovated office. New colors, carpet, seating, and reception desk are just a few of the many changes. Wiring along the walls has been removed or placed in wire mold Remember the old yellowed tile, dirty white walls and big mustard yellow cabinets in front of the reception desk? New lamps, end tables and work area will add to the ambience of the office. Take time to peruse our new artwork. The painting on the wall is an enlargement of an original painting of Broadway. The original was painted in 1942 and is hanging in the conference room. Mr. Randall lived right up the street from the church. The three rubbings on the south wall were created by our own Ann Loomis. Our goal to provide a more functional volunteer work space, bring in the elegance of the sanctuary and develop a more inviting reception area has been achieved!
Copy Room
Remember the old mailboxes hanging on the wall behind the reception desk? They have been replaced with new (and improved) mailboxes now located in the copy room. The copy room is receiving a new coat of lemon ice cream paint, the floors have been stripped and polished, and new baseboards are being installed. Old wiring has been re-run and new wire mold installed to cover existing wiring.
Director of Development Office
Scott’s office was completely renovated earlier this year. Recently, we installed new carpet and baseboards.
Kitchenette
The kitchenette, outside Scott’s office, is in the process of being renovated. It has received a new coat of paint and a new tile floor will be installed. Old shelves have been removed.
Pantry
Check out the old library area (also once a pastor’s office)! Jerry and Randy cleaned out the compilation of stored stuff. Hannah Weesner and Carmen cleaned and polished the shelves and set-up a new pantry area. Lights were cleaned, floors stripped and polished and new baseboards installed.
Carmen’s Office
Bright and cheery – Carmen’s new office was painted earlier this year. She moved from the outer office (next to the new pantry) to the office facing the playground. Her floors have been stripped and polished and new baseboards installed as well. Carmen’s new office provides her and our Shalom friends with well-deserved privacy and a more inviting reception area.
Staff Break Room
The former pantry is now the staff break room. Stripped and polished floors add to the shine. A fresh coat of lemon yellow paint has brightened the room. The shelves and lights were scrubbed and polished. New baseboards are on the way. Expect some surprise additions in the near future!
Volunteer Work Area
Carmen’s old office is now a temporary work area for our volunteers. Stop in on Thursday and you will see Harold Metheny manning the desk! The floors have been stripped and polished. The room is awaiting a fresh coat of paint after which, new baseboards will be installed. Old wiring has been removed improving the look of the room.
Intern Office
Earlier this year, we renovated room 102 as a new intern office. Ceiling, wall and floor repairs were made. Fresh paint, hidden wires and a shine on the floor completed the room.
Duane’s Youth Ministry Office
This room was in pretty good shape. We did install new phone and network cables. Additional electrical outlets were added as well.
Darlene’s Office
Stop in and smell the roses! Well, they aren’t real, but her office sure looks like a budding rose. We have given her office a small renovation with fresh paint and some moving around of artwork. What a difference a little paint makes!
Chris the Maestro Organist’s Office
So many changes. Formerly called the “candle room,” the junk has been removed, candles moved and a new organist office established. Walls were repaired and a fresh coat of “chopsticks” paint applied. Chris floor was repaired and shined by our floor experts. We also replaced aging lights with updated, high efficiency T12 fluorescent fixtures. Phone and network cables were run, so Chris can be easily contacted!
Community Room
The community room is scheduled for a carpet cleaning prior to our big Broadway Presents Show in October. New stage lights were donated by our electrical contractor, Payne Electric.
Small Changes
Air Vents: When you walk through the office, and look up, you will notice freshly and soon to be painted air vents, While you normally would not look up, if you did before, you only saw very dirty, stained vents. Small changes make a big difference.
Rear Office Door: The door that never closed, now closes. Remember the broken chain? It is gone, along with the holes in the door!
Door Vents, Kick Plates, Door Handle Plates: Look around and you will see many “pinkish dirty” kick plates and handle plates. These were once on the office doors as well. Take time to note the freshly bronze painted kickplates, handle plates and door air vents in the office.
Basement Ceiling: Our resident ceiling specialist Randy installed a new drop ceiling in the hallway outside the community room leading to the boiler room.
Doors and locks: Non-functioning door locks, closers and handles have been repaired or replaced in several locations throughout the church. We are in the process of moving to a master key system – several doors have already been re-keyed.
Hymnal Holders: Hymnal holders in the sanctuary have been repaired and new ones are being made to replace those that are missing.
Wall Wires: Unused wires were removed from the front entrance and new wiring placed in wire mold (plastic or wire piping covering hanging wires or cables.)
NE Parking Lot Light: This parking lot light was repaired. Graffiti: We have had several small incidents of graffiti. We make every effort to remove graffiti as soon as it is spotted.
Safety Improvements – Jerry Hobbs, Fire Prevention and Safety Coordinator
Fire Extinguishers: Thirteen new fire extinguishers have been located throughout the church. Remember, fire extinguishers are used for getting out of the building, not just fighting a fire. We have removed three fire extinguishers from service that do not meet current standards. Our extinguishers are inspected annually by a certified inspector.
Kitchen Exhaust Fire Suppression: Our fire suppression system for the kitchen has been upgraded to meet the UL300 designation.
Exit Signs: Twenty six (26) new exit signs are being installed in the building. Some are replacing outdated and malfunctioning units, others are in new locations. Please take a moment to look for exit signs when you are walking throughout the church.
Sanctuary Wiring: Exposed wires in the sanctuary were properly covered.
Panic Bars: Several doors in our church were not equipped with proper exit devices in the event of a fire or emergency. New panic bars were installed on the east sanctuary doors, east community room doors, the parlor/chapel door, and on the north basement exit doors.
Exterior Locks: All exterior doors have been re-keyed to improve security.
Parking Lot Power: Power was disconnected from the unsafe meter in the NE parking lot. This power box presented a tremendous risk to kids or adults playing in this area.
Kitchen Inspection: Jerry’s kitchens received a perfect inspection from the Marion County Health Department. Way to go Jerry! Keep up the great work!
“Green” Improvements: Randy Ficklin, Environmental and Sustainability Coordinator
Cleaning Chemicals: Randy, has replaced several of our non-green chemicals with new “Green Seal Certified” formulas including: Ultra Spray Cleaner, Daily Restroom Cleaner, Neutral Cleaner Plus and Glass Advantage. These products meet Green Seal’s environmental standard for industrial and institutional cleaners based on their reduced human and aquatic toxicity and reduced smog production potential.
Paper Recycling: Our paper recycling dumpster is emptied about twice a month. All monies received benefit the food pantry. This program was set up by Randy. He is also recycling plastic and aluminum from the office.
Green Articles: Barb Griffith has called upon Randy to write articles for the bulletin. He has admirably stepped up to this task.
Bulb Replacement: We continue to replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent when possible. In addition, we look for opportunities to replace older, less efficient fluorescent bulbs with more efficient fixtures and bulbs.
A Big Thank You
These many beautifying changes and improvements would not be possible without the tremendous effort and dedication of the Shining Light Team members. Please take time to thank Jerry, Randy, Mr. Jim and Carmen.
We also would like to thank the many congregation members who have donated equipment, tools and ideas for these improvements.
