Dear People of St. James’,
On Sunday, during the 1 pm service, we had an HVAC problem that resulted in there being smoke in the sanctuary. We moved the service to Founders Hall and called the fire department. The fire department quickly identified the HVAC problem, and they flipped the breaker to turn off that unit. We aired out the sanctuary for the rest of the day and held the 5 pm in Founders. Since this incident, we have done the things to clean out and treat the space, to examine the HVAC unit and identify the problem and to fix, to check our fire suppression systems, and to review our emergency plan (which we will keep improving in light of experience). We have been keeping up with regular maintenance of all of our systems.
Big thanks to our ushers Jorge Juarez and Gris Lopez for identifying the problem and alerting Rev. Eileen! Their timely response made a difference.
A few reminders:
If you ever see a safety hazard or smell smoke at St. James’ (and there is no one swinging a thurible with incense), do not be discouraged from saying something to an usher or one of our liturgical ministers. It’s better for you to be wrong, than for us to let a problem become an emergency.
Be ready to move quickly and to assist others if asked to evacuate a space.
We have also given particular assignments to particular individuals in the case of an emergency during a worship service, because everybody’s problem gets treated as nobody’s problem.
Safety Team: This is how we take care of each other.
- Clergy – Provide directions to the whole congregation; access control/ locking door.
- Usher – Greet all congregants, throughout the service; keep watch on who enters church at all times; help with evacuation directions; control entry/exit if needed; weather-related emergency calls.
- Eucharistic Minister – Keep watch on who enters church at all times. Help with evacuation directions, give aid when needed or enlist congregant for help – (ex. help with spouse/family).
- Reader – Call 911 for emergency help; call Nursery and Sunday School leader if needed; meet first responders outside if safe.
If you feel uncomfortable with any of these roles, let us know. Further training will be available as a group in November and individually by appointment. We appreciate your willingness to look out for your neighbors.
Things happen, and I will say that nothing like this has happened in my years of ministry at St. James’. That’s why we have an emergency plan, and this is why we depend on our liturgical ministers, ushers, and you to help us stay safe. If you have questions, contact Rev. Eileen or Aimee Estep.
Rev. Eileen
