June 2008

Improvements to the audio-visual worship support at the hall have been announced. In making the announcement, Major Wright said the purpose is to enrich the worship experience, provide a channel for ministry to the shut-ins and develop a new tool for evangelism. The business board started the project off and a small steering group has been set up to see it through. The steering group consists of the CO, CSM, Robin Bryant, Les Willis, Brian Nichols and Roy Simmonds.

Projector

It has long been obvious that the projector is failing to provide a decent quality of brightness. So a new, stronger, projector will be installed. To avoid the expense of new long-throw lens, a model compatible with our existing lens has been chosen.

Audio

The main concern for audio is the improvement of delivering sound to the rear section of the hall when the extended hall is in use. Also planned is a pair of stand mics that can be used to pick up the contributions from the singing company, Little Voices and the songsters. These are to be radio mics so that there will be no trailing wires.

Video

A more exciting part of the project is to install three cameras. To balance functionality and cost, high-end CCTV cameras have been selected. They are unobtrusive dome-type with pan, tilt and zoom facilities. One will be installed in the region of the projector that will focus on the platform and the others will be at the sides of the hall pointing primarily at the band and songsters respectively. When musical groups are performing, their image can be projected onto the screen to improve the worship experience.

DVDs

The new equipment will provide the basis of a fresh opportunity for ministry by editing recordings to create DVDs that can be used for members of the fellowship that can no longer attend the hall. A different sort of DVD can be produced for evangelical purposes. Although this is not an immediate item, a promotional DVD can be used to give an insight to what happens at the Army to help attract other people. It is also possible to use clips on the corps website, though the steering group will need to address some legal and contractual issues first.

Cost

The cost of the project is £21,293 and members of the fellowship are being invited to prayerfully consider financially supporting it.