2018 Grant Reports
The Disability Ministries Committee offers grants up to $1000 for accessibility and church programs that promote inclusion of all people. In 2018, eight United Methodist churches received grants. Visit Grants to apply for a 2019 grant.
First United Methodist Church in Mena, Arkansas
“I have a spinal cord injury and am confined to a powerchair,” Joe Mannon, a Mena UMC Arkansas, congregant shared. “Opening a door can actually require quite a bit of physical exertion. This automatic door has made my life easier. It prevents isolation, eliminates embarassment, discomfort and fear. I can enter (church) the same as everyone else.” Joe reported that people carrying books and families with small children in tow have also benefited. The Disability Ministries Committee funded $700 of the $1500 pad style door opener.
Flames of Faith & Principio Churches
Flames of Faith UMC in West Fargo, North Dakota made repairs to their lift, using a $700 grant. Principio UMC in Perryville, Maryland used DMC funds for a lift. Both churches are accessible on multiple levels. Principio member Kitty Abers, reported, ”Since the lift was installed, members that could not climb the steps have returned.”
St Andrews UMC in Orangeburg, South Carolina
“We have several members who presently use walkers or canes,” reported Ronald Tumblad at St. Andrews. “By having an ADA compliant facility, it makes it easier for our members and any visitors to use the rest room. We have a member who in the past was wheelchair bound, who could not attend services because we did not have bathroom facilities to accommodate him.” DMC contributed $500 toward the ADA compliant bathroom.
2018 Funded Grant Requests
- Flames of Faith UMC, West Fargo, North Dakota – Lift
- Mena First UMC, Mena, Arkansas – Automatic Door Opener
- Mount Pleasant UMC, Terre Haute, Indiana – Healthy Eating Program
- Principio UMC, Perryville, Maryland – Outdoor Lift
- St. Andrews UMC, Orangeburg, South Carolina – Accessible Restroom
- Trinity UMC, Ralston, Nebraska – Automatic Door Opener
- Twin Falls UMC, Munroe Falls, Ohio – Accessible Restrooms
- West Salem UMC, Mount Vernon, Illinois – Automatic Door Openers
2016 – 2017 Funded Grant Requests
- Centenary UMC, Oklahoma, South Carolina – Accessible Garden
- Discovery Church, Lanesboro Minnesota – Ecumenical: Being in Ministry with People who Have Disabilities Program
- Fort Street UMC, Georgia, Mississippi – Ramp
- Good Shepherd UMC, Madison, Alabama – Elevator
- Honeye Falls UMC, New York – Lift
- Raymond UMC, Mississippi – Bathroom Renovation
- St. Andrews UMC, Upper Hill Maryland – Lift for 108 year old church
- United Theological Seminary, Ohio – Promotional Materials for Disability Ministries Certificate Program
- Usher Valley UMC, Mississippi – Ramp
