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This coming Sunday,
October 14, the congregation of St. Andrew's United Church, Chalk River,
under the leadership of their minister, Rev. Paul Mclenaghan, will
dedicate their newly installed stair lifts.
For many years now, the congregation has recognized the need to make
their church more accessible for' those people who find stairs
physically challenging.
The congregation has been putting money aside in a special fund for
either an elevator or a stair lift, so that everyone coming into the
church could be accommodated.
For the last year they have been throwing spare Loonies into a basket
to add to the fund. This summer the; church council decided to go ahead
with the project.
The installation took
place under the watchful eye of Randy Tennant, chairman of the property
committee. |
Clifford Reynolds uses one of the recently installed chairlifts at St,
Andrew's United Church in Chalk River. The two lifts will make a world
of difference for those with mobility issues wishing to attend services
and other functions at the church. |
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Two lifts were
installed, one to carry people up to the church sanctuary and one to
take them down to the church basement which is used for meetings,
receptions, soup and sandwich luncheons, bake sales, and many other
church and community activities.
The lifts have been in
use since the, late summer and Randy has been present before and after
the church service to assist people in using them.
Judging by the smiles
on the faces of those using the lifts, they have already proven to be a
great success.
Although the bulk of
the funding came from the money specifically set aside by the
congregation for the purpose of increasing accessibility, some of the
money used came from the Memorial Fund, to which people in the
surrounding community also contributed in memory of family and friends.
Rev. Paul Mclenaghan
and the congregation of St. Andrews cordially invite the community to
join them and share the joy for this special dedication which will be
part of the regular Sunday service at 10:30 am on October 14. |
