From the Executive Operations Director – November 4, 2016
As I write, Doug Erickson is 25 feet above the terrazzo floor installing new light bulbs in the sanctuary. Yesterday Robb Geiger navigated the scissors lift from the parking lot to the sanctuary. Robb changed some bulbs and trained me as it looked as though our plan for assistance had taken a turn. So here Robb and I are up in the lift. What a blast that was!
Meanwhile below our 25-foot gaze were Eileen, Carli, Vickie, Connie and Bret removing tags and stacking new cushions. As many of you know, I have been searching for some time to find the right cushions, the best quality, and the lowest cost. Your minister the Rev. Bret Lortie found the magic cushions on his outing to IKEA this past week. Bret texted me excitedly, my curiosity was piqued, a sample was brought to UCE, a trip to IKEA by Rev. Connie Grant and husband John ensued, and Voila! new beautiful, comfortable red cushions. Wait until you see them and sit on them! 
We are listening carefully, trying our best to provide comfort and accessibility.
We are working on finding more convenient ways for you to communicate with each other, areas for displaying program work on Sunday morning, space for gathering for coffee, better accessibility to large print hymnals, orders of services, and improved viewing of the Sunday slide show. Other new important improvements are in the pipeline, some to be done soon and others that require capital funding.
Additional listening devices and extra ear pads will be purchased and located closer to the sanctuary entrance so that congregants and guests can pick them up on the way in rather than at the sound system. Please note that if you can use these devices with your own ear buds.
We understand that better access to the lower level, automatic doors and a number of improvements are necessary to make us a better place for all. This will happen in time as funds permit.
If you have had difficulty accessing the lower level via the lift, please understand that we are doing everything we can to improve that situation. The piece of equipment was state of the art 20 years ago, but is no longer manufactured as these types of units were proven too unreliable. Our repair company is the only one who continues to service these and make the necessary parts. Our repair person was here two weeks ago, just after the unit failed to run. It was serviced and made to operate manually when the key does not work. We are looking into temporary solutions. The logical answer is a lift to the lower level. Our Buildings and Ground Team and Accessibility Team are in agreement on this. It is now a matter of planning and funding.