What inspires a flock of geese to shape a V or a church to focus its energy?

“The greatest thing is a matter of dignity,” said Wayne Heathers, member of First Congregational Church UCC of Curtis, NE. “You might not understand that, if you have never been shut out from something.”

He chaired the five-member committee after his church’s self-evaluation four years’ ago revealed better access as its highest goal. A lift suited their resources and building better than an elevator. The architect preserved the facade of the beautiful, old style brick building. With an accommodating bid from Omaha-based Access Elevators, they acted.

Supporting 750 pounds, the street level entry lift carries people to the sanctuary upstairs and the basement fellowship area. Thrift shop and quilting proceeds pooled with general funds to provide the $38,000.

“Even if things seem slow, don’t quit,” Mr. Heathers counseled. “Just keep bringing [your project] up until all the geese are flying together in the same direction, and you can get somewhere.”

“Two members now can get into the sanctuary and attend worship regularly,” their minister said. “Before, they and others in town could not attend funerals of friends or participate in community services.”

Leon Banzhaf had arrived last March prior to the project’s spring forward. “Without handicapped accessibility, the church had a good chance of dying,” he said. “I hope this lift gives to the community a message of love and welcome to all people.”

The church has gained a new image in the community and a renewed self-image. Suzanne Harland, youngest church member, said members had accepted that it is okay to be a church primarily for older retired people. However after four months of use, more and more people are using the lift. One brought a friend with a lame hip. A young woman who had been in a bad wreck had never gone to any church before. A few years ago there was only one man, now there are seven. A couple young families have raised attendance to 25.

Donations to recoup lift money are fueling the current fund drive. Still, Mrs. Harland said, the greatest impact of the lift is on those who attend church. Every Sunday, the congregation goes downstairs after church to eat breakfast together. “There’s sweet rolls, and cheese and crackers for diabetics. We set the service earlier so we can spend a little time together. We have been friends for so long as a congregation. That makes you close.”

The Nebraska Conference Disabilties Ministries Task Force has observed through other conferences that, after receiving seed money, members who had none for access modifications in their smaller churches also started giving abundantly. We, therefore, offer the Smaller Church Accessibility Projects Grant. This modest grant (up to $500 this year depending upon the number of applicants) will be awarded at fall association meetings to recipient churches for designing access or actual access modification.

For information or an application, contact the Revs. Jeanne Tyler, Nancy Erickson, or Dee Brauninger. Applications also are available at the Conference Office.

Please share with us ways that your church has funded accessibility projects.

Reading the Signs columns are printed with permission of the Nebraska Conference and are for sharing in other conference and local church newsletters as a tool of inclusion.