Episcopal Press and News

Filmstrip Stresses Serving People

Diocesan Press Service. January 14, 1974 [74006]

NEW YORK, N. Y. -- How can present church buildings best serve people? "TOWARD UNDERSTANDING FLEXIBLE CHURCH SPACE," a new color 110-frame sound filmstrip by Lutheran Film Associates, shows ways to make churches -- from the mammoth cathedral to the little chapel on the corner -- more functional and offers ideas for creating beauty as well.

The suggestions given in the new filmstrip emphasize the timely priorities of intimacy (furniture can be positioned so that worshipers are participants, not spectators, in a service); hospitality (spaciousness encourages fellowship); utility (use of audiovisuals can be made more convenient); but especially flexibility, the key to using the same space to serve all the people.

This filmstrip was developed as a follow-up to an earlier filmstrip "TOWARD UNDERSTANDING MODERN CHURCHES," which provides a background to prepare people for the ideas presented.

Episcopal Church buildings featured are: Christ Church Cathedral, St. Louis; St. George's Episcopal Church and St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C.; and Trinity Church, New York City.

TOWARD UNDERSTANDING FLEXIBLE CHURCH SPACE is available only by purchase. The price for the filmstrip version is $21.50, and the slide version is $26.50. Both versions include a 20-page discussion guide and an opinion poll for audience participation. Available from Lutheran Film Associates, Attn: William J. McClure, 315 Park Avenue South, New York, N.Y. 10010.