Rev. Kittredge Cherry and Rev. Neil Thomas in MCC-LA’s construction zone, January 2010
New construction is making my local church bigger and much more accessible.
I started the new year with a visit to Rev. Neil Thomas, pastor of Metropolitan Community Church of Los Angeles.
He led my partner Audrey and me on a tour of MCC-LA’s construction zone. We stepped carefully around power cords as buzzsaws whirred and hammers pounded around us.
The remodeled sanctuary will be about twice as big. I was especially pleased to see that many ramps and elevators are being built. There will even be a special elevator to lift people a few steps to the altar!
I had to use a wheelchair in the past, so I know that steps and other physical obstacles can exclude and demoralize people, no matter how many times the church declares that everyone is welcome.
MCC-LA’s website says, “We invite all to join us without concern for sexual orientation, gender identification, or any of the barriers so often found in other churches.” They’re clearing away even more barriers with their new wheelchair-accessible construction. Hallelujah!
