Regarding the decorating of the sanctuary, at the last board meeting it was decided to take
more time before acting to be more secure in the feeling that a broad consensus has been
reached. Since the letter from the Board was sent explaining its position, with a tentative plan on
how to continue the discussion, I have received some questions and comments, both in
agreement and disagreement. In this heart and mind I will share some of my observations and
thoughts.

As many of you know, I am always happy to take more time to reach a decision, perhaps to a
fault. This case is especially no exception for me. Leading up to the board meeting, from my
discussions with people and the board, from my point of view, there did not seem to be a broad
enough consensus on the type and placement of the presented artwork to formally commission
it. I was satisfied and even relieved with the decision to take more time.

The main concern expressed by everyone, those who want to take more time and those who
want a final decision sooner, was for the artists and the time they have dedicated to the project.
To that end, everyone is in unquestioned and full agreement that the artists should be
compensated for the time they have spent on the project thus far, and hope they will continue
with us, fully compensated, as we continue to work through the differences of opinion.
Another concern or question raised is why is this taking so long? And why do we seem to have
more difficulty coming to a consensus on this matter while we seemed to reach decisions so
much more quickly and neatly regarding the addition and the front renovation? As I alluded to in
previous newsletters, I suggest this is the nature of the beast when it comes to projects like
decorating a sanctuary.

I would propose for consideration that choosing art to adorn a sanctuary is a more intimate
activity. In my experiences in these matters across a few denominations, what goes on the wall and how the furniture and people are arranged in a sanctuary space—they are always the most
delicate issues to navigate. It may have to do with the idea that these are personal expressions
of spirituality, and if an idea is questioned or rejected, a person may feel their spirituality or taste
is being questioned or rejected? That may be an overstatement, but the intimate nature of the
space, and the intimate expressions being made in that space, must be taken into
consideration.

I, as well as the board, commend the Sanctuary Decorating Committee for the time and effort
they have put into this project. It is not an easy task to build a consensus among such a diverse
group of people and spiritualities. I encourage everyone to keep faith with one another as we
continue to navigate this most difficult phase of renovations—that is, how to express our faith
and spiritualities in the most intimate space of our building, a space which we so appropriately
call our sanctuary.