| For many congregations, one challenging issue
in removing barriers is the availability of funds. How do we find money
to build a ramp? How can we afford to purchase portable listening devices
or upgrade our amplifying sound system to benefit the many people in our
congregation who have hearing impairments? Where do we find the funds
to acquire large-print hymnals or Bibles? For some congregations such
questions provide frustrating barriers by themselves. For others, these
challenges present invigorating opportunities.
Here are a number of examples of ways in which some congregations,
large and small, have utilized creative ways in which to raise monies
to fund accessibility projects. Perhaps one or more of these stories
will stimulate some innovating thinking for your congregation as you
begin to identify projects for removing barriers in your own church.
Raise Awareness (and funds) with Disability Awareness Sunday. A yearly
observance in a California congregation of 110 members, Disability Awareness
Sunday has served to raise money for continuing accessibility improvements
as they become evident. To enhance the giving on this special day, the
church's staff sends letters requesting funds for specific access projects.
Since this is an integral part of the church year, it has been successful
and is expected to continue raising the consciousness of congregational
members.
Sweat and Elbow Grease Count, Too. At times, hard work can make a bigger
difference than money. When the need for greater accessibility became
apparent after some members of a Texas-based Nazarene church
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experienced accidents, members of this large
congregation organized themselves into work groups that built ramps, widened
doors, rearranged pews, and replaced restroom stalls with curtains to
allow for maneuvering wheelchairs and walkers. Members also raised money
by organizing car washes, bake sales, and church dinners.
Lord's Acres Sale Yields Rich Harvest. A small, rural congregation
in Missouri started sponsoring a "Lord's Acre Sale" every
October. Throughout the year, members do small projects such as canning
vegetables, sewing unique pieces, smoking hams, etc., and donate the
proceeds to the church. In October, these items are auctioned off after
a harvest dinner celebration. In this way, the congregation raises several
thousand dollars to meet the expenses of making the church more accessible.
Try Renting a Kid. One of the strongest forces in a 300-member, Arkansas
church is its youth ministry. Every summer the congregation sponsors
a "rent-a-kid" program, in which young people are "auctioned
off" to do odd jobs for people in the community. The kids might
clean up a yard and paint a fence, scrape and paint a house, or baby-sit.
Money from this program has been used to widen restroom doors and purchase
assistive listening devices, large print materials, and a wheelchair.
Holiday Appeals Help Accessibility. Christmas, Easter, and other special
holidays are times when people are made aware of the needs and aspirations
of others and generally are more generous. From holiday food sales at
village functions to particular plate offerings, a small Baptist church
in Connecticut has raised funds for ramps and handrails. They have demonstrated
that certain liturgical seasons and holy days can provide opportunities
for disability awareness.
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| of persons with disabilities! The pastor of this Lutheran church in
the District of Columbia raised pledges for her 26.2 mile marathon to
support accessibility accommodations in her church. By inviting church
members and others to pledge funds, this pastor raised $880 per mile,
or a total of more than $23,000. A Washington Post newspaper article about
the pastor and the race inspired additional donations, bringing the total
to $30,000.
Scouts to the Rescue. A small United Methodist church in Pennsylvania
needed a substantial wooden ramp to allow full access to its entire
two-story building. Lacking the funds, they turned to a local Boy Scout
troop and found that a community service project is a requirement for
scouts to achieve the rank of Eagle. The Boy Scouts raised the money
and then used the project as a chance to train their members in building
a wooden structure - at no cost to the church itself.
Ask and It Might Be Given. Sometimes congregations underestimate the
power of directly asking for what they need. The highlight of the church
year at a Greek Orthodox church in Texas is the annual festival. Their
building was inaccessible to persons with physical disabilities, so
they conducted a special offering to build ramps and adapt restrooms.
Within a week, the cost was covered. While congregational resources
vary, no congregation should underestimate the power of asking directly
for what is needed.
Bonding the Community Together - By Issuing Bonds. A small town Disciples
of Christ congregation in West Virginia knew that - in their circumstances
- it would take a long time to raise the needed funds for architectural
access. They quickly raised the money by selling five-year, low interest
bonds to members. This enabled them to make their entire building ADA-compliant
with ramps, elevators, large print materials, and asistive listening
devices. People with disabilities now lead worship, teach classes, and
serve sacraments.
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Raise Attendance and Accessibility at the
Same Time. A 480-member, urban Disciples of Christ church in Wyoming wasn't
sure if it "needed" to be accessible, because there were no
current members with disabilities attending. But after reading publications
about accessibility, the board applied to the denomination for a loan
to add handrails, elevators, and accessible restrooms. The loan was paid
off in record time because more and more people who had not been able
to attend came to worship and contributed.
Access Through Bequests. Bequeathing equipment to a congregation can
be a loving legacy to those who share your disability. A Presbyterian
church in Pennsylvania had ramps to the sanctuary, offices and classrooms,
but the downstairs fellowship hall could only be accessed via stairs.
When an elderly church member died, the family sold the member's lift
to the church for a nominal fee; another church member removed the lift
from the home and installed it in the church without charge.
Start Small to Get the Ball Rolling. While many churches think that
they can't do anything for accessibility because they do not have the
money for an elevator or a ramp, one Pennsylvania congregation took
the reverse approach and started small. Church funds from the worship
budget were used for large-print bibles, hymnals and bulletins. As a
result, people with visual impairments and their families appeared;
with their appearance, offerings increased and attitudes improved. Inspired
members then built a ramp, and now they have established a fund for
a lift. The successes from small starts have led to greater awareness
and increased access.
(Note: The preceding stories were taken from Money and Ideas - Creative
Approaches to Congregational Access, a publication of the Alban Institute
and the National Organization on Disability.)
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