Intentionality
I wanted to share with you all the wonderful ways that we have intentionally connected our new location to the beauty and tradition of our original location.
The pulpit that is being used was crafted by one of our charter members, Gail Ferguson created it to be adjustable and on wheels to be used wherever needed. Originally, Pastor Erma asked for a pulpit that was adjustable because of the size differences of our three pastors. Pastor Sherri loved this pulpit because it fits her stature nicely.
When you drive up to the Bixby location, it looks like there are stained glass windows that match the ones in our Chapel here in Tulsa. Jonathon took photos of our windows and reoriented them to fit the windows in Bixby. They are beautiful clings that Randy and I installed so people can not see in the building from the outside. They tie us together visually at both locations.
The cross. Our beautiful cross in the Chapel was made from stained glass chandeliers from our original sanctuary (which is now the adult wing) and we had one of these chandeliers in storage that wasn’t being used. Brett Gwartney, new to our congregation, offered to build a cross for the Bixby location that would look like the original. Brett created this beautiful gift in his garage and he and Pastor Seungrok installed it a few weeks before the ribbon cutting. One improvement that was made is that the lights are LED in the new cross and the colors can be changed. It truly ties our two locations together in a way that feels like home.
The kneeling rail in the worship space in Bixby was crafted by Mark Fowler (our youth director.) He customized it to match the stain of the cross and to fit between the steps. The cushion was from the original Faith sanctuary and was found in the balcony. Pam Hoagland was kind enough to shorten and finish off the cushion to fit perfectly with the new kneeler.
In 2006, we made a fingerprint painting of the stained glass window in the sanctuary with fingerprints of our members. This painting now hangs at our Bixby location tying us together as the hands of Jesus.
Our Kid’s area in Bixby also has touches of design that match the Tulsa location. Angie Harris-Bowles was kind enough to paint the arch into the Kid’s area to match the one around the door to the Kid’s hallway in Tulsa. Linda used primary colored polka dots on the walls to look like the Kid’s hallway in Tulsa. She also worked with the preschool to find furniture and toys that were in storage in Tulsa to be repurposed for Bixby.
Lastly, the “Soothing Room” in Bixby has one of the curtains that Pam Hoagland made during Co-Vid for the Tulsa Susanne Wesley Room and one of the rockers which matches those curtains.
I knew that most of you didn’t know about all these intentional things that we had done to truly be one church in two locations. We have started something new but have filled it with things that we cherish and tied it to tradition. Our history is evident in Bixby. I wanted to thank those who have been worshiping in Bixby and helping that space be warm and welcoming to new people. I am looking forward to watching the seeds that we have planted take root and grow into another beautiful location of the church that we love.
Thank you to all of you who have helped in big and small ways as we begin this new reality together. The Holy Spirit is truly present in this place.
Love,
