Parish hall of the town church in Rotenburg: Almost ready for the opening!

Parish hall of the town church in Rotenburg: Almost ready for the opening!

On Friday, June 13th, the freshly renovated parish hall of the town church in Rotenburg will be ceremoniously opened. The extensive renovation work aims to take into account all aspects of accessibility in order to promote equal participation for all people. It is not just about the structural conditions, but also about creating an inclusive environment that welcomes people with different needs. According to Kreiszeitung Work craftsmen at various points in the building, at the last detail Finalize. Among other things, this includes the installation of a loudspeaker system that has not yet been fully completed due to delivery delays.

The work has largely remained in the frame, although some minor problems, such as cable laying, there are a lack of a railing on the wheelchair ramp and an unfinished canopy at the entrance. In their statements, superintendent Michael Blömer and project officer Hilmer Drögemüller emphasize the progress and the challenges with which the team was faced with. The entire project has caused costs of around 2.5 million euros, which were secured both by grants and the sale of previous properties.

inclusion as a central goal

The renovation of the parish hall is not only a structural measure, but is in the context of a larger goal: inclusion. Since the UN Convention on the Rights of Disabilities came into force in 2008, the topic of inclusion in society and in church circles has become increasingly aware. The Evangelical Church in Germany (EKD) and Diakonie Germany are actively committed to the equality of all people, which becomes clear in the projects on accessibility, as EKD reports.

The orientation framework, which was developed by the EKD and Diakonie, is intended to help those responsible in church and diakonia to promote accessibility and inclusion in their facilities. Here you provide action plans to advance the implementation of inclusion strategies in all areas. This coordination is of essential importance to ensure that people with disabilities receive the same partial options as everyone else.

Expand the inclusion practice

In the debate about inclusion in the church, there is a need to put the theory into practice. This is also discussed at a recently carried out specialist conference that discussed strategies for the inclusive further development of church and diakonia, supported by important framework works and action plans. The ekd emphasizes that participation and participation are decisive aspects of church life and have to be actively designed.

The theological foundations of these efforts are clear: Everyone is a creature of God, and it is the responsibility of the Church to ensure that nobody is excluded. The goal is to make openness to the diversity of all people granted and to strengthen the integration of people with disabilities into different church groups and management structures. This is the only way to achieve real equality in church life.