Re-ordering the chancel
Chris Sennett
What is being proposed?
The PCC are investigating the possiblity of re-ordering the
chancel at St James. If 
you remember the
approach to the altar (see the picture) there is a step up, followed
by a further step (on which you kneel) in front of the altar rails.
The idea is to extend the first step all the way back to the edge
of the dais we currently have at the front of the chancel, put
removable altar rails on it and then have a new step (on which
you can kneel) in front of these. The choir stalls would be removed
and replaced by chairs.
What is the reason behind the proposal?
There are several reasons, in fact. The first is theological. The communion service is a commemoration of the Last Supper, a shared meal. Having the communion take place away from the people, rather takes away from that and makes it appear as though there is some magic going on, which must take place in some special, holy, place. That is not what the service is about and people are becoming increasingly aware of the need to reinforce the original idea of a shared meal. In all parts of the church, not just the Anglican Church, there is a general movement to bring the altar into the nave of a church where the people are sitting. We have gone half way towards this already by having a nave altar, but without altar rails round the nave altar, everyone has to take communion at the high altar.
The second reason for doing it is a practical one. After having taken communion, and with your mind full of it, you suddenly have to step down and you may not have turned round. People regularly fall off this step and one day we are going to have an accident. Better to forestall it.
The third reason is also practical. When we have a small service at St James, evensong say, it would be useful to have all the congregation in the chancel, rather than scattered in the vastness of the church. We have tried doing that before, but it takes a hardened choir member to sit on the choir stalls - they are excruciating! (I say hardened advisedly. . .)
And finally, it will be useful to have a higher dais for events in church such as dramatised readings or concerts.
What state is the proposal in?
A small working group has prepared a plan, which has been approved by the PCC. Detailed plans will now go to the Diocesan Advisory Committee, who authorise all changes to churches. If they approve it, we can start getting the work done. This will take some time, so there is plenty of time and opportunity for discussion and making sure everyone is happy with the new arrangements. The work shouldn't take too long, but will involve some disruption to the normal services.