Welcome to Cullowhee UMC! We are committed to providing a space where all can worship and be a part of the ministry. Below you will find the various ways CUMC works to make our community more accessible.
Accessible parking is available in our main parking lot at the end facing the playground.
A ramp with a railing and curb cuts allows access to the main entrance to the building.
CUMC is equipped with an elevator. Once you enter the main entrance, go straight through the interior double doors, and the elevator is on your left. This will take you to the second-floor foyer. After you move through the landing room, the sanctuary will be to your left through the gathering space and Sunday School classrooms will be up the ramp and to your right.
There is an ADA accessible restroom on each floor of the building near the far end in the back (Wesley Foundation and Preschool). A large, unisex bathroom is on the first floor. When you come through the main entrances, pass the offices, and go toward the small fellowship hall. It will be in a short hallway on your left.
For worship, we offer an auxiliary space for anyone seeking a quiet retreat. It is especially sought by new parents and individuals who are neurodivergent. The space is the glass block room, right by the elevator on the second floor. In this quiet space, a livestream of the service is available.
Hearing assistance devices can be provided at worship. Please visit the tech table at the back of the sanctuary. Audiovisual text and speakers provide additional context for the service.
Service dogs are welcome.
Social Story Guide
Below you will find a guide that can help you know what to expect when visiting the church.
When I get to church, I can park in this parking lot behind the church.
I can choose to go into this building two different ways.
One way to enter is through these double doors at the back near the parking lot.
I can use the stairs or the elevator.
When I enter the building, there is a sign in front of me pointing to the stairs or elevator.
The stairs will take me right into the gathering space. If I take the elevator, I will get to the gathering space by going to the left.
After I get to the second floor, there may be people in the gathering area. Coffee and snacks will be here for me before I go into the service. I can take my coffee or snacks into the sanctuary for the service if I would like.
If I am more comfortable with fewer people, I can go in a different way. This is the front of the church by the road.
This way, I can walk into the back of the sanctuary, and I can choose my seat.
I can sit anywhere I feel comfortable. If I am using a wheelchair, there are seats available with a cut-out for my wheelchair. These are in the middle aisle and at the front of the sanctuary.
I can expect the service to start at 9:05am or 11:00am, depending on which service I attend. During the summer months and Christmas season, the church offers only 1 service at 10am.
In the 9:05 service, I can expect this order of worship.
Welcome
Prelude
Announcements
Call to Worship
Shaking Hands and Greeting one another
Song 1
Prayer Concerns
Prayer
Song 2
Scripture Reading
Offertory
“New Doxology”
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Sermon
Song 3
Benediction
“Last Song”
In the 11:00 service, I can expect this order of worship.
Welcome & Announcements
Prelude
Call to Worship
Shaking Hands and Greeting one another
Song 1
Prayer Concerns
Prayer
Song 2
Scripture Reading
Anthem
Offertory
Doxology 95 (following the offertory)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Sermon
Song 3
Benediction
“Make Me a Servant”
Sometimes, the pastor or music leader will say that we can stand. I can choose to stand or stay seated.
Before the first song, people can shake hands and greet each other. I am welcome to do this, or I can choose not to.
When songs are being sung, there will be words on the screen for me to follow along with. I am welcome to sing, or I do not have to.
During the last song, people are invited to turn across the aisle towards each other. It is a choice. Some people do not feel comfortable doing this. They stay facing forward or some people close their eyes. I am welcome to try this, but I do not have to.
If I become overstimulated, I can go to the auxiliary room. The auxiliary room is located through the doors at the front of the sanctuary and across from the elevator. It has more comfortable seating and I can turn the lights off. There may be other people in this room.
To get to the auxiliary room, I will go through the gathering room.
I can also bring my headphones to the service to make it more comfortable for me.
If I need to use the bathroom, I can get there by exiting the front of the sanctuary and taking the elevator or stairs to the first floor. When I get to the first floor, I will take a left and continue walking straight down the hall, following the signs for Unisex Restroom.
