ACCESSiBILITY AT OUR CHURCH

As one of our values at the River is loving people, accessibility is important to us. It is a priority to make our space welcoming and inclusive to all who enter. Our goal is that everybody belongs and serves together.

How we’re improving accessibility

We are a scent-aware space where unscented products are encouraged. Please avoid the use of products for those who are sensitive and/or with asthma, allergies, or environmental illnesses.

Our potluck items are labeled with who brought them, what they contain and common allergens with a separate gluten-free zone.

During communion we only use gluten-free bread to prevent cross-contamination. Additionally, we serve grape juice.

A written version of our sermon script can be made available during each service. Speak with the person at the sound-booth for more information. A podcast of the sermon is available for streaming the following week on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Is our location physically accessible?

We currently rent a basement space at Millbourne Community Life Center that is only accessible by stairs, and there is no available elevator. An accessible parking stall can be arranged with prior notice to our entrance on the North side of the building.

The entrance to the north side door has a platform with 2 handrails along each side. Inside is a straight staircase of 14 steps down with handrails along both sides.

During the service we sit at round tables on folding chairs. An accessible stall is available in the women’s washroom on the same level.

Contact us

Our activities and opportunities try to keep accessibility in mind, but you are the most familiar with what you need. Please reach out to the contact person of an event to ask about any accommodations we could provide. For general inquiries you can contact Diane Rutt at drutt@telus.net.

Our Accessibility committee has been addressing concerns around our church to improve the inclusivity and welcome extended to everyone who wants to attend our worship services. You can read more about our Accessibility Policy and the goals we have for this important aspect of ministry.

Links and resources

We encourage anyone who would like to learn more about what it means to have “Everybody Belong, Serving Together” to read the monthly newsletter “Breaking Barriers.”

Everybody Belongs, Serving Together - ministry guide.