Reaching a Milestone
Our Sanctuary Construction Committee reached a milestone today as we finalized our negotiations with our architect for the sanctuary. With the professional assistance of legal counsel, we focused on eight specific areas of the contract that required clarification or negotiation. The architect accommodated our requests and now the agreement is ready for signature by our board president. This is an important achievement and you can be assured that we have had the best interests of the congregation in mind in…
The Doors
Last night our OCUUC choir held its first in-person rehearsal in over a year. We wore the new special singers’ masks, we were appropriately distanced and sang in our beautiful courtyard in the open air. In addition to the 15 choir participants there in person we also had 8 singers joining us on Zoom. It was a success! As I looked around the church campus last night I couldn’t help but think about how many creative opportunities there will be…
Going for the Goals
The Sanctuary Construction Committee held its weekly meeting yesterday as we continue to work toward completion of tasks that must be finalized so that we can stay on schedule. Though our work at this point in time involves more research and decision making than hammers and saws, we are always focused on the goals for the project. We are focused on developing a sanctuary that: Provides worship space that is meditative, tranquil, spiritual, and inspirational Allows for fostering growth of…
Decisions, decisions…
Sanctuary Construction Committee (SCC) members gathered on Zoom yesterday for our weekly progress meeting. After conducting due diligence and soliciting additional bids, we approved our architectural firm’s choice for civil engineer and surveyor. We also agreed upon the selection of the AV consultant that will design the sound system for the new sanctuary. We decided to engage the services of an attorney (to be determined) familiar with design and construction to review and opine upon our architectural agreement with domusstudio.…
New Beginnings
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover. Mark Twain, 1835 – 1910 Now that spring is officially here, it is time for new beginnings, longer days of sunlight, and Covid vaccinations on the way for everyone! In the not-too-distant future, we will be…
Change and Re-Opening
Happy Spring! Passover! Easter! Nowruz! Lo, the earth awakes again! Back when the first vaccines were approved I began singing Easter songs in the faith that we would soon be together again. Now we have an OCUUC Task Force (in which I’m participating) working on re-opening plans. No, we won’t be meeting in-person by Easter Sunday. No, it won’t be as soon as we would like. But I do feel the sap rising and the buds forming that will surely…
Open Mic Night
Every Spring, Music Ministries hosts an Open Mic Night – a completely free event where people of all ages, abilities, and experience can share their talents. In the past we’ve had poetry readings, dog acts, stand-up comedy, in addition to musical acts. Last year’s Open Mic Night was the last event held at the church before the quarantine began. This year, since we’re still quarantined, we’re going to host the Open Mic Night, and participants will perform LIVE on Zoom.…
Becoming an Adult
When I was in my 20s and 30s I kept waiting to feel like an adult. I couldn’t wait to “grow up.” I think I thought it meant that I would be feel “perfect” and do all the right things, make all the right choices. I would be wise, compassionate and never fail anyone (including myself). I thought it might happen when I became a manager in my career at the time – I had authority! But I didn’t feel…
Sound Check
Planning for the new sanctuary project began in 2018, long before the word “COVID” became a part of our daily vocabulary. Back then we weren’t talking about hybrid Sunday services requiring more advanced audio-video technologies. Fast forward to 2021 and now our Sanctuary Construction Committee is tackling these issues head-on as we plan how the AV needs will be met primarily in the new sanctuary but also in Daniels Hall and the newly renovated Victoria Room. Last Saturday morning the…
Zooming Right Ahead
On St. Patrick’s Day the Sanctuary Construction Committee (SCC) team met on Zoom to tackle tasks-in-progress and queries from the architects at domusstudio. We’re fortunate to have such an experienced team to approach planning and strategizing from so many different perspectives. Our meeting agenda included discussions about the geotechnical engineering report, the civil engineering report, the architect’s agreement, the landscaping plan, the AV/acoustical plan and the negotiated bid process. Our next meeting will take place on March 25th. Regards,Craig
Construction Q&A
Many thanks to all of you who have responded to the new blog with your sanctuary construction-related comments and questions. I thought this might be a good time to provide you with feedback on a few of the questions I’ve received so far. Please feel free to e-mail me at craigspery@aol.com if you have something on your mind. QUESTION: Will the top parts of the sanctuary windows be able to be opened without opening the entire top-to-bottom of the panel?…
Details, details and more details…
If you’ve ever undertaken a remodeling project, you know that there are a multitude of details that must be attended to before you ever get to swing a sledgehammer. Those guys at all the DIY shows on TV make it look so easy as they often compress the life of an entire project into a 30 minute time slot, including commercials. Well, as they say, that’s Hollywood and here at OCUUC we’re taking the long range view. Now that we’re…