Our History
Adam's Pew is a response to the highly publicized May 2008 story in which Adam Race, a 13-year-old boy with autism, was banned from his church. Adam’s parents received a restraining order from their home parish of 12 years. Every Sunday for years, his family sat in the last pew. This pew was reserved, at Adam’s family’s request. The arrangement lessened any disruptions Adam’s symptoms may have produced.
When news of the restraining order spread, several families of children with autism pledged to occupy the pew every Sunday until the Race family was restored to their faith community. It will take most of the families several hours to reach the Church in the small town of Bertha, Minnesota. Currently, the restraining order remains in effect and the Race family will soon enter into mediation. Their goal is to once again become welcome in their home parish.
Adam Race’s story has inspired passionate discussion among countless people regarding the various facets of this case. Nationally and beyond, many families are not attending church because they don’t feel welcome. The story’s quick spread points to a profound need to establish an atmosphere of welcome and acceptance in churches everywhere. Thus, Project: Adam's Pew was created.
Without much planning, effort or cost, Project: Adam’s Pew is a simple tool for church leaders. Through broadening awareness, a church can reach out to those feeling previously unwelcome and those hesitant to attend church services due a family member’s disability. Project: Adam’s Pew is not meant to replace or compete with other inclusion programs developed by many denominations throughout the country. This project will link many of those organizations as Resources.