Dear friends,
Our elevator may seem like a tiny, humble piece of our beautiful building, but it does a lot of heavy lifting. On Sundays, it ensures that people of all ages and abilities can enter and take part in joyful worship. Throughout the week, it supports guests to reach the Common Table on the lower level, and outreach carts to rise up to street level laden with sandwiches and drinks. It is a vehicle for our core values of respect, inclusion and generous hospitality.
Bad news first: after much use and many repairs, our current elevator has reached its limit. But now the good news: At the Common Table summer barbecue, we celebrated a grant of accessibility funds from the City of Toronto to fully cover the cost of a new elevator. Yes, it’s a Gift Lift!
The work to replace the elevator will begin next week – the week of October 5 – and is expected to take place over the next few months. While this will pose some temporary disruptions, we want to live this in-between time with great care for one another. Here are some of the ways we will try to do this:
Weekly updates: We will keep you informed of the project status, with a notice in Friday eNews and here that will be updated weekly. If you have opted in to our Accessibility Update contact list, you will receive a weekly email. (To be added to the list, contact the office.)
A temporary ramp: While the actual elevator is out of service, we will have a temporary ramp in place at the west entrance on Sunday mornings, with someone present to offer assistance.
A place for your questions: If you have questions or concerns, please email Carol, our accessibility advocate, or call the church office (416-922-4948), and we’ll be glad to think this through with you.
Online Sunday worship: Join us at 9 AM (on zoom), or at 10:30 AM (livestream on YouTube).
Pastoral care team: If you’d appreciate a call or visit from our Pastoral Care Team, please contact Tony through the church office.
We are so grateful for this Gift Lift, and we eagerly anticipate its completion in the near future!
Peace and blessings,
Liska, Carol and Henry
