I talked to a couple people after the Deacon’s meeting last night but we discussed ways to do this after worship. Before worship changes things. One of the ideas considered for after worship that may be able to shift to before is having the greeters open the sanctuary doors which would be closed to reduce sound and potentially signal a shift from an area for greeting and meeting to a more contemplative environment. The downside is the symbolism of the sanctuary doors being closed. What would be your thoughts? (I know you mentioned it as one of your points above but wanted to see about the symbolism).

I’d also be happy to meet with you, Michael, Brooke, and anyone else and talk through the time before service to see what else could be tried. Not sure what they would be but perhaps by putting our heads together we can come up with things that will improve things.

Thanks for bringing this concern up. I am looking forward to working with you all to find ways to address it.

After worship is totally different (except on very somber occasions like Ash Wednesday or Maundy Thursday). Let it all out. Do whatever. Our concern is for what’s happening prior to and during the prelude.

I guess our comments were a little off-topic when I go back and read your original post, where you were talking mostly about post-worship things. It’s just that the noise level pre-worship was particularly vexing this week so it’s fresh in our minds.

We try to get all musical rehearsals and warmups in the sanctuary finished by 30 minutes before worship time, because people are often there that early. When I do come in to play the prelude, it is always chosen to support an atmosphere and contemplation and meditative prayer. This atmosphere has become more and more disrupted over the last several months.

I have some suggestions that might help:
1. Move the coffee service and name-tags to the lobby area, or move it further back into the parlor and partially close the movable partition. This would create a little more distance between loud discussions and the sanctuary environment.
2. Keep the sanctuary doors closed after 9:30, so they only open briefly as people enter.
3. Have church staff and greeters set a tone of “keeping it down” when in or near the sanctuary once it is ‘occupied.’ Speak in hushed tones, and suggest things like “this is really interesting. Let’s move this conversation to the lobby or outside so we don’t disrupt the people praying here.” If others see the leadership setting an example, they will follow.

These might not be the answer – they are intended as thinking points. I think #3 is probably the best place to start. I also think this points to the importance (as Tim mentioned in an earlier post) of making post-worship time the focus of our hospitality. There will be less tension between different styles and needs at that time.

Not sure, but would be interesting to hear your and other thoughts on a way to do this and also allow folks to continue their time of contemplation.