Looking back, looking ahead

Alas, nothing profound today (but hopefully interesting!).

The workmen have started erecting the scaffolding around our bell tower and on the roof as part of this fall's shingling and painting project at the First Congregational Church of Lebanon. Last week they used a giant cherry picker to gain access to the top of the meetinghouse. In the early 19th century, or "the olden days" as my son likes to refer to the past, oxen and very long ramps stretching to the town green were used to get the bell into place. Today we'd just park a crane next to the building and hoist the bell. Modern construction and preservation technology greatly eases caring for a legacy property like FCC; using modern tools we've been able to peak into (and behind) corners, measure the potential impact of vibrations from construction on ceilings and trusses, and grapple with issues that would not have occurred to those who build the place in the early 1800s (lead paint, anyone?).

All this is a good thing. In an evermore transient world, old landmarks are to be valued. But as we tend to our historic building, I'm glad that we're doing so not because we're fixated on the past (though we take pride in what our forebears have achieved) but because we want a place where we can do the ministry to which God is calling us today.

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