ELCA NEWS SERVICE June 18, 2008 Two ELCA Congregations Earn Accessibility Awards 08-090-LT* CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Hope Lutheran Church, Fargo, N.D., and Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Askov, Minn., are the winners of the 2008 Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Disability Ministries Accessibility Awards. This award is given annually to one or more congregations of the ELCA that demonstrate outstanding care and concern for people who are physically or mentally disabled. Each winner receives a $1,000 grant from the ELCA Mission Investment Fund in recognition of its accessibility efforts and to use toward projects. It also receives a plaque commemorating its efforts. Hope Lutheran has more than 300 members, and Bethlehem Lutheran has fewer than 300 confirmed members. Applicants are judged on the physical accessibility of the church building, outreach into the community to people who have disabilities, and inclusion of people with disabilities in the worship and daily life of the congregation. According to its application, Hope Lutheran Church offers one-on-one assistance for Sunday school children with disabilities, twice monthly meetings of the Support Group for Persons Affected by Disability and Open Arms Ministry, which "provides an environment of acceptance and inclusion to people with needs relating to health or disability through education, worship and fellowship opportunities." "We are always looking for new and better ways to reach out to this population," according to Hope Lutheran Church's application. "We work to encourage all people to know the love of Christ, which is our mission statement." Bethlehem Lutheran Church recently underwent a $250,000 addition that "was built for the sole purpose of making our church accessible for both the elderly and the disabled," according to its application. Members of the church utilize a video ministry for the homebound and provide rides and assistance to those in need. "This has been a very well-received and active ministry in our community given the high poverty rate in our very rural area," Bethlehem Lutheran's application reads. "This is often the first contact many in our community have had with our congregation, so we see this as a vital outreach ministry." Bethlehem Lutheran's application also said that one member brings an assistant dog to worship services. "His presence every Sunday in worship has had a very positive impact on our congregation, especially the Sunday school kids who have learned not to fear those with disabilities or who are 'different' from themselves," it read. Calvary Lutheran Church, Belleville, Ill., and Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, Springfield, Ohio, received honorable mention awards. -- -- -- Information about ELCA Disability Ministries is at http://tinyurl.com/4y6xyw on the Web. *Luke Tatge is a senior journalism major at Augustana College, Sioux Falls, S.D. This summer he is an intern with the ELCA News Service. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog