DEAR ABBY: I read the letter from the church elder who was concerned with an overweight member who bent the church's folding chairs when sitting on them, causing costly replacements.
This issue has bothered me as well, because I am also overweight. The new trend in building churches seems to be to use folding chairs in the sanctuary instead of pews. Abby, folding chairs are very uncomfortable for overweight people.
Three new churches in our area all use folding chairs because they can be removed to reconfigure the sanctuary into a fellowship hall where tables can be set up. The kitchens are built next to the sanctuary, making it inconvenient for weddings and funerals because after a service, parishioners have to wait for the chairs to be removed, tables set up, chairs placed at the tables and the food transported.
I, for one, will not attend a church anymore where they use folding chairs in the sanctuary. It's very uncomfortable and is difficult to rise from these small chairs.
Your column seems to be the best way to spread the word: Elders, PLEASE go back to using those comfortable benches or pews.
Abby, thank you for allowing me to air this gripe. -- HATES FOLDING CHAIRS, HELENA, MONT.
DEAR HATES FOLDING CHAIRS: I'm sure your problem is shared by many. However, since the folding chairs are bought and paid for, it may take a miracle to turn back the hands of time.
Discuss this problem with your pastor to determine if you can arrive at a compromise. Surely there are funds available for solid, comfortable chairs for large-sized churchgoers. They would pay for themselves in savings in the long run.