Fragrance Free Zone

Can I tell you a story and make a suggestion?

In a church were Tammy and I were once members, there was a lady who desired to come to worship, but often did not risk it.  She had a problem.  No, she was not afraid of crowds (although there are some who have that malady). Neither was she upset with someone or vice-versa which contributed to her sparse attendance. She had an allergy to perfumes. This allergy, when exposed to fragrances, would set off intense migraine headaches. 

If you have been shopping in a department store, you might have noticed that they have made a change in how they approach people at the perfume counter.  In the past, employees, well-meaning ones I might add, would approach a customer and offer to give them a sample spray.  This often caused a problem to folks passing by who suffered from fragrance allergies.  So many stores modified their approach and sprayed the fragrance on cards. 

How often have you been in a gathering, church or not, and have been overwhelmed with someone’s perfume who seemed to have bathed in it they had on so much?  For most of us that is just a nuisance.  For those with fragrance allergies, it can set off a migraine that lasts for hours!

Here is what our church did back then.  They discovered that there were several folks who had such a condition.  So they established a “Fragrance Free Zone.”   They posted signs on the pews that indicated that section was off limits for persons wearing perfumes.  (Actually they made it one of the front sections of pews where few people sat anyway).  They called attention to it during announcements and made people aware it was available.

Here is my suggestion.  You might consider establishing and promoting such an area in your worship center.  There probably are folks who would be very grateful that you did.

Just a thought.