The Reverend Elizabeth Ivell's somewhat soft voice shimmered across the sanctuary of St. John's Episcopal Church during a Christmas Eve service over a year ago. Her words could be heard in the back, but not without some effort. The church does have a sound system, but the young preacher's words were not bouncing off the famed Tiffany glass windows as loudly as they could.
"That's why we need a new sound system," she laughed during a recent interview
A new sound system upgrade will make sure sermons and the word of God are clearly reaching the people in the pews. And its not just for those hoping to connect with the almighty - the church conducts several tours a year to show off their Tiffany windows. A sound system would help everyone hear the historical details as they roam about getting closer looks.
Mother Elizabeth is happy they are upgrading their sound, but also wanted to help the more severely hard of hearing. So she came up with an idea to raise some funds using her feet to purchase personal hearing assist devices.
She runs for exercise and figured she might be able to challenge herself to run a marathon if the community was willing to sponsor her miles. All proceeds raised will be going towards the sound enhancement devices.
"That's why we need a new sound system," she laughed during a recent interview
A new sound system upgrade will make sure sermons and the word of God are clearly reaching the people in the pews. And its not just for those hoping to connect with the almighty - the church conducts several tours a year to show off their Tiffany windows. A sound system would help everyone hear the historical details as they roam about getting closer looks.
Mother Elizabeth is happy they are upgrading their sound, but also wanted to help the more severely hard of hearing. So she came up with an idea to raise some funds using her feet to purchase personal hearing assist devices.
She runs for exercise and figured she might be able to challenge herself to run a marathon if the community was willing to sponsor her miles. All proceeds raised will be going towards the sound enhancement devices.
She has trained and competed in triathlons in the past, but admits between the swim, biking and running, the running is her least favorite part. The 2011 Allegheny College graduate said she has run for a long time because in college her friend ran everywhere she went. "So I had to run to keep up."
Now, when she runs it's not to chase her friend to the store or class, but for herself as she reflects on a higher purpose as she leads her congregation. "It's part of my prayer and meditation time, it gets me out into nature connecting with God."
She has mapped out a route (below) starting on Buffalo Street in front of St. John's at 8 a.m. on April 10. She says her route will take her through several neighborhoods so she is hoping to see some friendly faces along the way for encouragement.
"The furthest I've run is 15 miles," she admits but is confident she can make the marathon distance of 26.2 miles. "I will walk or I will crawl. I will make it one way or another," she said with a chuckle.
Now, when she runs it's not to chase her friend to the store or class, but for herself as she reflects on a higher purpose as she leads her congregation. "It's part of my prayer and meditation time, it gets me out into nature connecting with God."
She has mapped out a route (below) starting on Buffalo Street in front of St. John's at 8 a.m. on April 10. She says her route will take her through several neighborhoods so she is hoping to see some friendly faces along the way for encouragement.
"The furthest I've run is 15 miles," she admits but is confident she can make the marathon distance of 26.2 miles. "I will walk or I will crawl. I will make it one way or another," she said with a chuckle.
Ivell said she is over halfway to raising the $2,000 for the equipment but wouldn't mind surpassing the goal. "We'll just buy more devices," she said.
Anyone wishing to support this effort can donate athttps://onrealm.org/stjohnsfranklin/-/give/now (select the Building Improvement Fund.)
Marathon level is $26 or $1 for each mile she will run on April 10.
The Hearing Assist Level donation of $100, the cost of one hearing assist device.
Or if someone wants to donate $1 for her planned training miles they can give $250.
Of course any donation is welcomed.
Marathon level is $26 or $1 for each mile she will run on April 10.
The Hearing Assist Level donation of $100, the cost of one hearing assist device.
Or if someone wants to donate $1 for her planned training miles they can give $250.
Of course any donation is welcomed.
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