Our building is completely handicap accessible. One can go from the parking lot to our sanctuary and our fellowship hall on a completely flat surface without any stairs.
Many people in the 21st century have no idea what goes on inside a church. By inviting community groups into our space, they are seeing the ongoing life of the church. And it is not just letting them use the space, it is also inviting them to be in community together with Mid-Coast.
It’s not just about Sundays!
MCPC’s facility – both building and grounds – is a mission in and of itself. We are blessed with a sanctuary with chairs that can be easily moved, with a large fellowship hall and kitchen, lots of rooms, a great backyard and playground, and a big parking lot.
The mission-ability of our building is a big piece of who we are. Besides MCPC worship, study, service, and fellowship, our building is used by many groups from surrounding communities. We welcome musical groups, choruses & orchestras; scouts; social groups; and of course the Bright Start Center that calls MCPC home. We even have hosted neighbors who needed overflow parking space for special events. Building users often pitch in for special events like the Pumpkin Patch and Spring/Fall Cleaning; many helped out with our drive to pay off the mortgage.
There is no fee for non-profits to use our building, though many will make a contribution to help offset the costs of building use (heat, electricity, bathroom supplies…that kind of thing). There is a nominal fee for community members to use the building.
MCPC’s Civil Discourse Policy
We hold ourselves accountable to this statement in our dialogs. And any group that uses our building must sign this as part of their building use agreement. It is adapted from the Maine Council of Churches Civil Discourse Covenant.
Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church is open to all people and offers its meeting spaces to a wide variety of groups and events. As part of our mission, we offer our spaces for many purposes, including public discourse on a wide range of topics. The views and opinions expressed by those who use our building for presentations or meetings do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the congregation of Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church. And, as a denomination that proclaims “mutual forbearance” to be a foundational principal of our denomination we require:
That all who use our building act respectfully toward others, including those of differing opinions, and to attempt to understand others’ points of view.
To refrain from personal attacks, while maintaining the right to vigorously disagree.
To refrain from making statements which characterize opponents of a particular position or opinion as evil.
To refuse to make untrue statements in defense of any position.
To value honesty, truth and civility while striving to find workable solutions.
I have read the above statements and agree to abide by these requirements for civil discourse while using any space in the buildings of Mid-Coast Presbyterian Church.
Adopted by the Session of MCPC, May 2018
