SharePoint
Sign In
Help
ADN logo

Expanding Our Welcome: Benton Mennonite Church
 

  • Home
NavigationSearch
  • Home
    • About
      • Our Mission and Vision
      • Our History
      • Who Are Anabaptists?
      • Our Staff
      • Field Associates
      • Board of Directors
      • Annual Reports
      • Staff Openings
    • Get Involved
      • Congregational Advocates
      • Partner Congregations
      • Accessibility in all aspects of church life
      • Barrier-Free Grant
    • Newsletter
      • Latest issue
      • Previous issues
      • Subscribe
    • BlogCurrently selected
      • Latest Posts
      • Subscribe
      • All Posts
    • Resources
      • Accessibility and Awareness
        • Accessibility
        • Accessibility Audits
        • Awareness
        • Changing Attitudes
        • Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)
      • ADN Books
      • ADN Disability Language Guide
      • Barrier-Free Grant
      • Book and Media Recommendations
      • Caregivers
        • Circles of Care
        • Families
        • Support Groups
      • Congregational Assessment Survey
      • COVID-19 Resources
      • Disability Topics
        • ADHD
        • Autism spectrum
        • Disabilities of Aging
        • Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
        • For the Deaf
        • Hearing Loss
        • Hidden disabilities
        • Intellectual disabilities
        • Mobility Impairment
        • Vision Disabilities
      • Faith Formation & Worship
        • Children
        • Classroom Accessibility
        • For Church leaders
        • Book Reviews
        • Our Speakers
        • Youth
      • From Other Faith Traditions
      • On Mental Health
        • Children and Youth
        • Depression and Anxiety
        • Healthy Boundaries
        • Mental Health Education
        • Mental Health Resource for Congregations
        • Mental Illnesses
        • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
        • Suicide
      • Speakers and Trainers
      • Webinars
      • All Resources
    • Donate
      • Donate Now
      • Legacy Giving
      • Honor And Memorial Gifts
      • Building the Future Partners
    • Contact Us
Left Menu
  • Pictures
  • Lists
  • Libraries
  • Recent
  • Blog
    • Latest PostsCurrently selected
    • Subscribe
    • All Posts

Expanding Our Welcome: Benton Mennonite Church
Originally posted in 2012

Posted by /
4/1/2012
Page Image
Image Caption
Opening paragraph
The new lift at Benton Mennonite Church, Goshen, Indiana, is a  great relief to member Ruth Shaum. Using the lift instead of climbing stairs reduces the risk of falling for her husband Paul and cuts down Ruth’s worries. A lift is similar to, but lower in cost, than an elevator.​

Page Content

“My husband is almost 93 and getting wobbly on his feet,” Ruth admits. “I’m scared for him. He wants to go to church as long as he’s able.”

Becoming more hospitable has been energizing for the congregation, noted pastor Brenda Hostetler Meyer. “We had talked about it for a long time and felt bad that we were so inaccessible. We were more and more aware that our steps were keeping people away,” Meyer continued. That growing awareness of the gap in their hospitality motivated the congregation to take action.

“Expanding Our Welcome” was the name the congregation gave to their renovation project. In addition to the lift, the project included an enlarged foyer and an accessible family restroom, which accommodates wheelchairs and anyone who needs assistance from a spouse or parent of the opposite sex.

A second phase will modify existing men’s and women’s restrooms for accessibility and add a fellowship hall on the level of the sanctuary.  

ADN would be happy to feature your congregation on our website, so please be in touch.

Photos courtesy Hannah Gerig Meyer.

​
Casandra Byler washes her hand in Benton's new accessible family restroom.

Grant Martin operating the sound system. A large sign lets visitors know that hearing assistance is available. Sign reads: "Hearing assistance available. This facility is equipped with a hearing assistance system. Please ask for a receiver. Williams Sound Corp."

Ruth Shaum and her husband Paul appreciate using Benton's new lift.

Levi Smucker (striped shirt) talks with Dorvin Schlabach after worship. They are standing next to a shortened pew and movable chairs that provide space for wheelchairs.

A gently sloping ramp allows wheelchair access to the raised pulpit area.

Ruth and Paul Shaum make regular use of Benton Mennonite's new lift.

An accessible family restroom at Benton Mennonite accommodates wheelchairs and those who needs assistance from a spouse or parent of the opposite sex.
​

Subscribe to Opening Doors Subscribe to Opening Doors

 Related posts

  • New Barrier-Free Grant for Congregations
    New support for congregations to become more accessible
  • Larry's Place at Race Street House
    Mennonite Churches in Lebanon County, Pennsylvannia joined together to establish a residential home for members of their congregations with disabilities in need of long term care.
  • Convention Accessibility Services at Orlando
    Anabaptist Disabilities Network seeks Accessibility Coordinator and Assistants for MCUSA Convention, 2017
  • disAbility Awareness Sunday
    Hebron Mennonite Church seeks to understand the experiences of those with disability.
  • How do you know?
    Congregational Accessibility Network can help you learn how welcoming your church is to persons with disabilities
  • Hospitality in the Parking Lot
    Hospitality begins in the parking lot! Tips on making your church parking lot welcoming to people with disabilities.

 Latest posts

  • MC USA Accessibility Resolution Passes
  • The "Me" You Don't See
  • Congregational Assessment Survey Now Available
  • ADN Receives MHS Innovation Grant
  • "I Am Here"
  • 2022

 Read more about

  • Accessibility

Contact us

P: 877-214-9838 (Toll Free)
P: 574-343-1362
3145 Benham Avenue
Suite 5
Elkhart, IN 46517-1970
Visit the Anabaptist Disabilities Network on Facebook!

Support ADN

Use your credit card to contribute online:

Donate Now Through Network for Good

Donate Now Through PayPal

    Resources

  • Staff
  • About
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Donate
  • Employment
  • Sign In
  • © Anabaptist Disabilities Network 2019