Rise Up! Elevator at River of Grace
Our congregation, River of Grace Lutheran Church, ELCA, is filled with people who live our mission to Love God + Love Others. We are multi-generational, multi-racial, and open and affirming. We believe that God loves everyone, no exceptions and no exclusions. And we strive to do the same!
But we continue to have a challenge ... we are not fully accessible. Our beautiful sanctuary is on the upper level of our building. Our parking lot entry is on the lower level, and our front entry requires ascending steps.
We have secured an elevator and made plans for installation, but we still need to construct an elevator shaft which will require $75,000. We dream of having our elevator installed by Easter of 2018!
Why?
+ We want to be more inclusive to people using wheelchairs and crutches, folks with sprained ankles and twisted knees, and to people who simply have a harder time with mobility.
+ We want to help folks who are carrying a new baby, a diaper bag, and all the stuff toddlers like to bring to worship with them.
+ We want to help our musicians get their instruments up and down the steps as they take them in and out of the building to practice each week.
+ We want to make it simpler to transport a casket from the parking lot to the sanctuary, when we celebrate the life of a loved one, say goodbye, and commend that person to our Lord's keeping and that dear person's funeral.
We are a new congregation reaching out to many people who haven't been active in the Church in years, or if ever. We are becoming "home" for people who didn't know that the Church would ever be a place for them. As we work to grow our ministry, we are seeking gifts to help us expand the welcome we are able to provide.
We believe when people come together, God does mighty things. We are working to raise these funds and invite you to give in honor or in memory of a loved one, in celebration or thanksgiving of a special event in your life, or simply out of gratitude to God or because you believe the elevator is a good and worthy cause. Thank you for your gifts - no matter their size. We believe that we are called to "Rise Up!" And while our elevator will help us do just that, we know that any gift shared helps us do that, too!
While we are collecting funds through this GoFundMe page, we are also collecting funds directly at the church, and so the number you see listed here is not inclusive of every gift that has been given. We have simply created this page to be another avenue whereby people could share resources with this valuable project.
We are grateful for you, and we promise to keep you updated as our project unfolds!
Grace and peace to you,
Pastor Connie Thomson
River of Grace Lutheran Church is a 501(c)3 organization, and as such, your gifts are fully tax deductible.
