In August, Oak Island EPC will celebrate its 50th anniversary. We plan to mark that occasion by installing a carillon in our steeple which will ring out a different hymn of praise each day at 12 Noon. Perhaps you have heard the sound of church bells in Southport, or hymns rolling across country fields or busy city streets. You know that these sounds serve as a daily uplifting reminder of Christian faith. Our carillon will call out to those in our surrounding community for years to come. While we do already have a single bell, (which you may have heard before worship on Sundays), this carillon will be capable of playing a hundreds of familiar traditional hymns, as well as special music for weddings, Christmas and other special events.
The Outreach Committee has recommended, and the Session has approved, the purchase of a digital carillon to be installed in our steeple. This carillon will produce the beautiful sound of bells that one poet has called “the voice of the church.” While the Session has approved this project, we will need to raise funds for this purchase beforehand. We are asking members of our congregation to prayerfully consider their participation in funding this 50th anniversary project without impacting our regular gifts and tithes, with financial gifts to be specifically designated for the carillon. The cost of the digital bell system will not exceed $19,500, and we have already received the first $2,500 in pledges.
The Virtuoso bell system is capable of playing hundreds of hymns. We anticipate an initial schedule of music playing for a few minutes at noon daily, and before and after service on Sundays. As great care is taken with the selection of hymns for Sunday morning worship, the hymn playlist for the carillon will be carefully curated with the most familiar of traditional hymns. We have a list of proposed hymns for the playlist. Let us know if you’d like a copy. If you would like to hear a sample of how authentic the bells will sound, here is a link to the system: https://www.verdin.com/electronic-carillon-bells/virtuoso/ Yoi can also six short selections by scrolling down on this page.
Our prayer is that we will have all the funds in hand by July 12th, so the carillon
can be purchased and installed prior to our 50th anniversary fellowship dinner on August 16th. If you would like to support the purchase of our carillon, please note “Church Bells” on the memo line on your check and make your check payable to OIEPC. Your gifts are tax deductible.
If you have any questions, please email Dirk Mroczek: mroczek.dirk@gmail.com