Amherst church recognized for opening doors wide

The United Church of Christ Disabilities Ministry, a national agency within the denomination, has awarded Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Amherst a Church and Ministry Organization Award for efforts in making facilities and ministry accessible for those with different abilities.

While the award formally was presented to the church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, during the denomination’s General Synod, the dedication of the improvements will take place at 10 a.m. Aug. 18 during a worship service at the church at 379 S. Main St. in Amherst, according to a news release.

The Rev. Dr. Sarah Lund, the national United Church of Christ Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health

Justice, will bring the morning message and will share this award with members of the congregation and community, the release said.

Lund has experienced the need for accessibility and acceptance first-hand within her family, and has authored a very personal book, “Blessed Are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence about Mental Illness, Family and Church,” the release said.

A reception will follow the worship service.

In order to make the sanctuary accessible for all, a section of the steps were lowered, the traditional New England-style railing shortened and a ramp created, according to the release.

Space was created on both sides of the pulpit to allow for musicians and performances by the church’s growing youth program.

Shinsky Builders Inc., of Lorain, completed the construction, the release said.

The accessibility improvements made to the sanctuary are part of a three-year capital campaign entitled PRAISE; an effort to make the facility more proactive, relevant, accessible, inviting, safe and engaging.

In addition to the accessibility improvements, the church added an exterior awning, new flooring in the Sunday School classrooms, a glass safety railing above the balcony and a new air conditioning system, according to the release.

In coming weeks, the church will add a new electronic sign to engage the community in the church’s events and outreach programs.

Over the next year, the church plans to add a video system to live-stream services and to have the offices reconfigured to create an additional Sunday School classroom, the release said.

The accessibility improvements made to the sanctuary are part of a three-year capital campaign entitled PRAISE; an effort to make the facility more proactive, relevant, accessible, inviting, safe and engaging.

COURTESY OF COMMUNITY CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST AMHERST The newly constructed sanctuary is at Community Congregational United Church of Christ in Amherst.