There are a large number of enhancements to the sound system ranging from building a control booth in the back corner and a low platform for the musicians to adjusting and replacing speakers, to better microphones, sophisticated signal processing, air handler noise reduction, a listening assistance system, and remote speakers for the narthex and nursery.  The goal of the sound system changes is to make the spoken word easier to hear and understand and to balance and enrich the musical sound.  It will also make the services more inclusive by giving people with hearing difficulties a set of headphones they can control and by giving people who have to leave the sanctuary the opportunity to stay involved in the service by listening from the narthex or nursery.

A video system will be added consisting of a pair of projection screens mounted on the chancel wall, a pair of high-brightness projectors mounted on the side walls, and control electronics located in the control booth.  When not in use, the screens will retract into boxes mounted on the wall that will be covered with the same wallpaper.  The video system will allow us to project a variety of images to enhance the service (primarily the second service) including song lyrics, sermon notes, and sermon and anthem illustrations.  This will help engage the large fraction of us who are visual learners.  People are becoming increasingly accustomed to getting their information from screens, and this will allow us to take advantage of that mode of connecting with them.

The chancel lighting will be enhanced by the addition of highly directional and controllable lighting on the side walls of the upper level of the sanctuary.  In addition, the current sanctuary lights will be modified to allow them to be put on dimmers that can be controlled from the control booth as well as from either of the current switch locations.  This will allow the chancel to be lit without putting excess light on the projection screens and will allow the use of light to direct attention and set moods as well as providing lighting for TLC concerts and other special events.

In the fellowship hall we will add a sound system using components left over from the current sanctuary sound system.  A dedicated video projector will be mounted to the ceiling to go along with the existing screen, and a control system will be provided for switching video sources.  In addition, adjustments will be made to the air handler to reduce the noise.  These changes will enhance the adult forum presentations as well as other presentations made in that space.

The cost of the WAVE project will be about $240,000 – pretty evenly split between A/V equipment and construction expenses.  If approved by the congregation, it will be financed through a combination of a fund-raising campaign and a portion of the existing building fund.  None of the cost will be included in the general operating budget.  In addition to donations, the fund-raising campaign is asking for pledges covering up to a three-year period.  A construction loan will be used to pay the immediate expenses of the project until all of the pledges come in.  So an additional amount will have to be raised to cover the interest expense, which could range from $10,000 to $25,000 depending on the mix of donations and pledges.

We are very excited about this project and hope that you will prayerfully consider supporting it.  Pledges and donations can be placed in the offering plate or given to Pastor Jim, and the special congregational meeting to vote on the project will be January 14 after the second service.