The Bell is UP!

It's been a busy morning, starting about 7:30 a.m. with the arrival of the repaired (yay!) bracket. The bracket went up, no problem. Then it was time for the bell. The workers hooked it to the crane and got it well secured before hoisting it.
I also got an opportunity to see the ringing mechanism inside and to sign my name as the sixth rector on the inside as well.


Then it was time for the bell to ascend. It went up without a hitch and got bolted into place. Now we are waiting for the electrician to hook up the wiring and then we will be able to test its tone. I am looking forward to ringing it in worship for the first time on Sunday.

+Kit

Good News! Everyone Can See and Touch the Bell!

OK, so that's the really positive spin on what has been a long and challenging day. But here's all the good news:

-- The blessing of the bell will go forward this evening as part of the Ascension Day service. We will gather at the Abbot Road entry, where the bell is resting on the grass. We will open the service there, with a chance for everyone to get a good look at the bell and to lay hands upon it and to help in the blessing. I will sprinkle it with holy water, anoint it with chrism, smoke it up with incense, and we will all pray for blessings upon it. Then we'll proceed into church for the remainder of the service.

-- The bracket will be rewelded late today and will be picked up at 7 a.m. tomorrow. From there, everything should go more smoothly. If you want to see the bell go up, it should (!) happen around 8 a.m. or so. Bring a cup of coffee and come by and enjoy the show. Potters' Guild opens at 9, so there will be plenty to keep you occupied here.

-- The bell will sound in worship for the first time on SUNDAY MORNING.

I now believe this is a blessing in disguise. This way, folks can get an up close look at the bell. Otherwise, it would have flown up into the tower, without anyone getting to see it.

See you tonight!

+Kit

The Bracket Comes DOWN!

Problem, folks ...

The bracket is not the right size for the tower. The arm from which the bell will hang is too long. It wouldn't work, so the bracket went UP, and the bracket came back DOWN.

It's gone off to the welder to be cut and refitted. God willing, the bracket will be back in an hour or so, and we will try again.

Pray that this work can be quickly accomplished and that our bell will ring out this evening.

+Kit

The Bracket Goes UP!

The bracket that will hold the bell is on its way into the tower.

If it fits (please, oh please, oh please, God ...), then the bell will go up next.

If you want to see the bell in flight, now would be a good time to head over to church (12:30 p.m.).

+Kit

Channel 10 is Covering the Story

Channel 10 was just here doing some preliminary interviews and filming. They'll be back tonight to catch the beginning of the service.

The Bell Has Arrived

Well, it's a crazy day in the parking lot. The bell is here. The apartment building next door is under construction, and their trucks are overflowing into the lot. Then the Potters' Guild trailer arrived.

If you come tonight for the Ascension Day service, the Potters' Guild sale will be going on in the undercroft from 5:30-9. You could get some shopping in ... Please come early and be patient about parking. This is just one of those days.

Anyway, the bell is here and it is beautiful! And then the crane pulled up.

What's next on the schedule is to insert the framing inside the tower. There is an epoxy that will have to sit for a couple hours before the bell can go up. We're looking at 12:30 p.m. or so before the ascent of the bell.

I'll keep you updated.

+Kit

Blogging on the Bell All Day

Check back often today. I'll be posting pictures and news of the progress on the mounting of our new bell.

+ Kit