Individuality + Affirmation + Inclusion

The idea arose out of wanting to send a welcoming and affirming message to ourselves as a congregation and to the wider community.  It led to the idea of chairs, as chairs invite people to take a moment to sit and breathe.  Chairs also invite conversation.  We wanted our chairs to welcome the LGTBQIA+ Community, others who sometimes feel marginalized, and to send a general message of inclusion to ALL people.  The Chair Project was born.

It is anchored by six adult Adirondack chairs, each in a primary color of the rainbow.

to this

Seven individualized child sized chairs were painted.

Participating were individuals, families, artists, individuals with various disabilities, and individuals who identified with LGTBQIA+

There were church members, friends of the church, and those who had no connection.

We named and blessed it: be you, with us

It was and is both individual affirmation and invitation into community.

You are invited to come set a while; with a book, to rest, to breathe, with coffee, with a friend or a stranger.

 

Following are some photos: