2002:
Open Door Christian Church in Novato, CA
Secretary
Eleanor Bailey. Val Escher, Pastor Greg Escher,
and Kirt Lewis, Youth Pastor
CCPD
is pleased to present the Open Door Christian Church of Novato,
CA (Marin county) with the Caring Church Award.
Church
facilities are accessible.
Several
people from group homes for people with developmental challenges
attend and are members. They are included and encouraged to
take part in Men's/Ladies' retreats, special programs and activities,
share their gifts through special music - be part of committees
- help in church office and day-to-day operations - usher -
greet - serve as host/hostesses at fellowships. If they need
transportation, it is provided. If they need financial assistance
for special activities, scholarships are made available. Songs
are signed and they are working at signing the entire service.
This
congregation supports, volunteers and teaches at the Institute
of Abundant Living - a college program for people with developmental
disabilities, as well as provides the campus facility.
About
70% of the 200-member congregation are involved in the disability
ministry. This inludes developing friendships, going out
socially, providing assistance during services as needed, teaching,
serving on disability ministry committees, transportation, providing
clothing and housing at holidays if needed, prayer partners,
counseling. Also Sept. 6 and 7, this church will host and co-sponsor
with the Institute of Abundant Living a Bay area "That
All May Worship" conference.
The
church is non-denominational and supports the CCPD statement
of faith.
The nominator says in part: "The Open Door church has a
history of being open and accepting of all people who come into
their church, and there is a desire by members to become involved
in the lives of the people who attend in order to make sure
physical and spiritual and emotinal needs are met..
They
have a history of not stopping with just learning about the
needs but continuing to make sure that people are provided with
financial, physical, spiritual assistance, education, and training
to learn and discover who they are and their purpose...People
with challenges have been trained to be ushers, greeters, provide
special music, assist with set up and clean up preparations
for worship, aciivities and also serve as members of various
committees. The church has opened up office space for a community
program for people with develomental challenges for no charge."
In
an added note, the pastor is quoted as follows: "It has
to begin in the heart, but our people would not have had the
opportunity if people who knew the need was there did not challenge
us to see the need and rise to meet the need. Congregations
need people who will constantly hold us accountable and give
us through their knowledge and experience tools to meet that
need."
