The Narthex: First Impressions

Next to the parking lot, the narthex at All Saints is the first place of contact for our guests.  When they come to worship with us the narthex is a lively place, and as most of you know it is the focal point of information for and about All Saints.

Pronounced N (are)- thex (thex) like the letter "X"  The word is Latin for "great fennel" or seed.  As such the word is fertile with meaning.  A quick study of the word finds that it's meaning had to do with organic growth.  In ancient and medieval church architecture the narthex was the entry point of the church. It was a place for people outside of the community to catch a glimpse of what goes on inside.  In that way the people in the narthex themselves were seedling plants looking for spiritual nourishment.

People preparing for baptism (catechumens) or penitents (people ex-communicated for a time) were allowed to listen and participate in church services from the narthex.  At an appropriate time baptisms would take place at the door between the narthex and nave and new believers were welcomed into the family of Christ!  Likewise those penitents who had separated themselves by notorious sins could also be restored through penance to the community of the faithful.

Things have changed in the last few centuries; the narthex has become simply our front door.  We no longer restrict guests from entering into the nave and so the narthex takes on new purpose in our time.

As I've observed our narthex over the last few months there has been this emerging definition of space.  I've noticed that certain tables and walls are evolving into specific purposes that fall under "Worship, Love, & Service."  I want to encourage this to continue!  And I want to join in on what God is revealing in this very simple process.

Narthex Schematic: All Saints Episcopal Church

Our name-tags, the Sunday prayer sheet, and our new Parish Bible all sit underneath the heavy wooden cross.  Worship! The first of our core values is the one that is seen first as guests enter the door.  The open bible proclaims the primal authority of God's Word and name-tags declare our willingness to know and be known by our guests.

Over the last few months another area has become the focal point for our many Service ministries.  In that location we've been dropping off food for Emily's Pantry.  We've used that table to sign-up for Family Promise and the CPS Christmas gifts.  As we approach the time for Kairos prison ministry there will be a designated place to buy tickets for the barbecue chicken.

Finally, as we have renewed our emphasis on Christian Formation and Fellowship a space is emerging as the focal point of Love. Sign up sheets for Lenten suppers and information on Family Formation are coming and are already here.

Along with our core values we are experiencing the need to have a focal point for our guest ministries.  When you invite friends and acquaintances to visit us we will be ready to greet them and orient them to All Saints.

As these things have emerged we are beginning to give them a more defined place.  The attached schematic above shows how the architecture of the narthex is beginning to be shaped by our core values.

As we continue to thoughtfully use our space in ways to reach out and welcome our guests this layout may change.  We're always doing it in an effort to use our space more efficiently and to the Glory of God!