Demolition Begins

By the time I got to the office this morning, workers were all over the building beginning preparations for the demolition of the connector wing. It was a buzz of activity! Clayton told us the electricity would be turned off, as would the phone service and water. So, after staff meeting at 11:00, we all made a bee-line for the one bathroom. I was last in line. By the time I got there, the water had been shut off.....Where's an outhouse when you need it?

I must say, the demolition of the connector wing was graceful. Yes, graceful. As I watched the huge claw hoe (I think that's what the machine is called) sink its teeth into the cinderblock walls and pull them apart from the buiding, I sensed a sense of reverence for the process. Clayton and the other workers weren't talking, they were watching, their hands by their sides. People driving through the alley stopped and simply looked. No one was talking - there was no chit-chat. It was quiet, save the sound of the gigantic claw hoe.

As I watched, quietly, I was reminded of a time that was similar. Several years ago I got to be present for an autopsy at a morgue. That, too, was quiet, and the autopsy was done with great reverence for the sanctity of life and death.

So, here are some pics from today's demolition adventure. Hopefully I'll have a video to share, too, perhaps tomorrow.

Pastor or Construction Worker....???

Precious Memories

Today is Mother's Day. At the close of worship, I meandered through the connector wing (what I now affectionately call the "breezeway" because it is windowless). I couldn't help but think of the children over the years who were taught Bible stories by WPC mothers in the Primary Room; or the mothers who helped their children check out books from the Les Shelton Library; or the mothers who dropped off kids in the Nursery....

Echoes of mothers-through-the-ages spoke out to me today as I tip toed (in my heels, no less) through the rooms that soon will completely disappear. And I don't mind telling you, it made me rather sad. As wonderful and exciting as it is to look forward to our new facility, there are many "precious memories" of time spent in that space. Not just for me, but for the collective whole of WPC. I know you know what I'm talking about. (Que Dolly Parton singing "Precious Memories".... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnQIImqAvLM ).

Here are a few pics of the "breezeway." This time next week, it should be demolished, making way for the new thing God has in store for us.

Clayton Hinegardner's cheerful scarecrow, by the playground.

Light in the Men's Bathroom..vintage 1952...



By double door in courtyard...a lonely mailbox.

Center Hallway

New "wall" between offices and Sanctuary



Door leaning on wall in choir room...
I wonder what the sign reads? (scroll down to see!)



Why yes, I do believe the door is unlocked! :)

Cool crawlspace...

More crawlspace, and yes, I wanted to go in!