the removal of the wall between the southeast corner of the sanctuary and the Fellowship Hall extension.  The architect and the contractor were stunned to discover that there was no support beam above the two windows that had previously been removed.  They mused that the windows might have collapsed upon themselves had a heavy weight been placed on the roof such as a major snowfall.  Fortunately, the sanctuary roof is steeply-pitched so such weight never occurred although we did have problems with an occasional crack appearing in that wall.  It was an odd feeling (photos on right) to be able to see through the Fellowship Hall into that part of the sanctuary.  It was noted that as we had hoped the sightlines are suitable for overflow sanctuary seating.

Another visible change was the installation of the windows in the new Fellowship Hall and two small diamond-shaped windows to allow some natural light into the sanctuary (top row below, left).  The current clear windows will be replaced by stained glass later in the construction process.

A new entryway near the elevator was also opened up.  The larger size should make it a popular entry door and may become the place where sign-ups are taken and other items made available.  This will free the Fellowship Hall space for its intended purpose.  In the photo (bottom row below, left), the area is a staging area for some of the kitchen vents.  The diamond-shaped window is where the stained-glass window of a kite flying over Lake Crescent given in memory of Miriam Greene, who died in 1985, will be placed.  The window was designed by Miriam and Gordon's daughter Ellen.  The window's previous home was on the east wall of the narthex where a new door is now located, a far less visible location.

Changes were also visible in the narthex as the east stairway in the balcony was removed and a door was cut into the narthex from the walkway in front of the new Fellowship Hall (bottom, right).  This door will allow entry into the narthex without being exposed to the weather for those coming from the Fellowship Hall as well for brides entering the sanctuary.