November 2026 Note

Pull up a seat while I share some reflections on chairs 1. Back in the early 1960s, when a group of seekers began discerning what God was calling them to do in that time and this place, they made do with what they could, and economized on the rest. No need to buy pews, when folding chairs were much more economical and practical. Chairs purchased.

Fast forward a number of years. The church had been around long enough for members to age with it. Some found the hard, cold, metal folding chairs increasingly uncomfortable. An investment in padded folding chairs was not insignificant. Could the church really justify spending that much money on a comfort item for themselves? Couldn’t that money be used for ministry? For a few years, the debate continued, until finally, it was decided. Padded chairs for all.

The congregation continued to age gracefully together, much happier with the upgrade, but then some members needed extra help rising safely. Heavier chairs with arms and thicker padding were purchased to replace some of the chairs. They were more expensive, harder to move, and took up far more space when folded than their lightweight, albeit still padded, counterparts. 

We retained the metal folding chairs, which were stored in the Commons closet. Some of them became unsafe, with broken supports and bent hinges. When we returned to worshiping in person, and expanded permanently into the Commons for overflow seating, it didn’t seem right that those in the Commons also had the least comfortable seating options. Eventually, we got rid of the rest of the folding metal chairs. I can’t say they’ve been missed.

It’s just chairs, but it’s not just chairs. Buying padded chairs and chairs with arms was a matter of hospitality for everyone - church members, visitors, outside groups - as well as care for each other. It took years to make the leap to padded chairs, and now, it seems ridiculous that it took that long. I’m certainly glad we don’t have to sit in regular folding chairs each week! Of course, seeing the needs for the chairs with arms made that upgrade an easy decision. 

When I hear members reflect on the initial debate, on one hand, there’s an element of “can you believe it took that long?” but on the other, I hear a certain pride in Trinity’s reluctance to spend money “on ourselves.” We still carry that reluctance, which can be a good thing, but sometimes we miss the forest for the trees. What looks like spending money on ourselves may actually benefit our ministry, within Trinity and beyond. 

The old metal folding chairs tell a particular story about who we were. The move to padded chairs shows our adaptability. The decision to finally get rid of the all-metal chairs speaks to our ability to let go that which is no longer serving us well - a difficult thing to do! Then there are the chairs with arms. They speak to our care for each other, and now they’re telling a different story. 

We have a limited number of chairs with arms, and more members and visitors who need them. It’s not easy to know where they should be placed for the benefit of those who need them most, and though it may seem obvious, we don’t really know who needs them, for whatever reason. Some people who need them might not have access to them. Those who are using them might not always appear to need the extra support, but many people deal with invisible illness or disability. Those who need them but don’t find them readily available may start to wonder if there is space for them at Trinity - literally and metaphorically. 

How do these stories play out in other ways at Trinity? Are we holding onto metal chairs that no longer meet our needs? Do we hold back from spending money “on ourselves” without realizing the impact on our ministry? Are there members who struggle finding their place here, as their needs change and the community changes? 

All of these good general questions can also be applied to potential changes with our grounds work. At some point, we’ll be making decisions about what kind of seating to use outside, too. There are many questions and things to consider. As we move forward together, I invite us to do some good old armchair analysis. Better yet, grab a seat and start a conversation. 

Grace and Peace,

Stephanie

Speaking of chairs… We’ve recently been hearing that we need more of the chairs with arms. What is your experience? Help us right-size our seating options with feedback! You can send it to the church office, one of our great Building and Grounds folks (Yogi, Dane, Mark Facknitz), or anyone on the Session. 

1  The details may not be exactly precise, but this reflects the story as I’ve heard it told, which makes it true, if not entirely factually so.