Q.Our church building, which is quite old, needs major repair. We'd like to fix it up, but we're not sure what kind of architect we should use. Does anyone have any experience in this area?

A."Although many architects will work on restoration projects you will be better off with a firm whose practice is limited to historic structures," says Allen J. Kone, former trustee at First Unitarian Congregational Society, Brooklyn, New York, which has a 150-year-old building. "Try to find a preservation architectural firm which has the patience to work within the politics and budget limitations of churches. Such a firm will be aware of all the acceptable materials and techniques and who the qualified contractors are," says Kone, who has renovated four mid-19th century houses and is on the buildings and grounds committee at his society. In addition, other UUs have recommended two private non-profit firms, Inspired Partnerships, Chicago (312- 294-0077), and Partners for Sacred Places, Philadelphia (215-546-1288), which both say they will help congregations with practical information on restoration projects.

Q.We had a disturbing incident at our church in Ohio this weekend. A member got an early-morning call from a man who claimed to be connected with the church, but was in fact an impostor. In most convincing terms he said he'd been beaten and robbed in San Francisco and needed someone to send him money to fly home. The recipient of the call had misgivings, but the man was crying and saying all the right things and so, not knowing what else to do, she wired him money and now she feels terrible at having been taken in. Has anyone else been victimized like this?

A.It's a scam that preys on the goodwill of churches and the tendency of all of us to want to believe the best of people. Members of other congregations have reported similar incidents in past years. Usually the call is from a person who purports to be a church member and is destitute and helpless in a distant city for reasons beyond his control. In another reported case a man called a member at home and claimed he was stranded downtown and needed money for a tow truck. The callers obtain the home phone numbers of members by calling the churches first. They listen to the phone numbers of members listed on the church recording for emergencies and use them for their scams.

Q.Our congregation has about 60 members. We have the opportunity to rent a larger space, but it won't be available to us on Sunday mornings. Does anyone out there have practical experience with services later in the day?

A.The UU Fellowship of 13 members in Marshfield, WI, meets at 4:30 Sunday afternoons in rented space. "We've discovered several things about this meeting time," reports Linda Melski. "First, many of us like to sleep in on Sunday mornings. Second, many of us travel during the day and can easily return for the 4:30 service. Third, our services finish just in time for frequent potlucks. With a small group we especially appreciate that last opportunity to just be together."