New Sanctuary Seating is Welcome to All
If you use a wheelchair or perhaps have a family member who does, you may be familiar with accessibility issues. This occurred to Becky Elsbernd, Parish Nurse, as she observed Trinity members with mobility issues.
One person she talked to was Brian Warner who uses a wheelchair and sits in the pews directly off the elevator ramp. Not only does he have a job helping other agencies with accessibility issues, but he lives it daily. “I asked him how it was sitting over here [on the side],” Elsbernd said, “and he said, ‘You can’t see well…you have the post here.’” She also talked to Karen Squier, who was using a wheelchair after an accident, who said, “You don’t have the greatest view over here!” Through the efforts of Elsbernd and in conjunction with Warner, different seating was arranged in the 4th and 5th rows of the center seating in Trinity’s sanctuary.
The Building and Grounds committee (along with other volunteers) happened to be on hand this past week to move a couple half-pews into place to provide space large enough for two wheelchairs or walkers. “Want a bigger hammer?” “Will it line up?” “It’s close!” These were some of the comments overheard as many hands made light work.
Elsbernd said, “This is the ‘main’ and ideal part of the sanctuary. We’re saying, ‘We value you and you are welcome here!’ When we force people to sit in a place that’s not optimal or preferable, we aren’t being as accommodating as we can be.” This simple tweak of a couple of pews will “show everyone they’re valued and important,” Elsbernd said.
I chimed in, “Oh, I wish we would’ve had this done about four years ago!!” My mom was in a wheelchair for our older son’s wedding and she had to sit by herself in front of the first row since the other option was in the back or on the side where she wouldn’t have been able to see much of anything. My husband and I sat directly behind her…but it would’ve been so much nicer to sit next to her. Elsbernd agreed that this seating will be better…especially for weddings and funerals, when people need to be closer to their family and feel more a part of the event.
Pastor Dan Gerrietts said, “This is something we have needed probably longer than most of us realize!” He also pointed out, “Some very careful work was done talking to people in the congregation who could help us understand what location would be the most helpful for the worship experience.”
Now at least there are more options. The “older” options include the space in the back in front of the sound booth, the space on the left side farther back, and the space right off the elevator, down the ramp and on the left side. The new option will allow people to sit next to their loved ones, especially when they need that extra support, the kind that is given by just sitting next to them.
Thanks to all who were involved in making this happen…and especially to Becky Elsbernd for seeing a problem and coming up with a solution for it! All really ARE welcome here! †
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