From Welcome to Belonging
One of the greatest gifts Saint John's can offer is a sense of belonging.
Nearly every Sunday, we have visitors who have done one of the hardest things: they walk through our doors. They come here carrying that anxiety one feels when going to a place where you know no one. Our guests bring with them a mixture of hope, questions, burdens, and a desire to experience God’s love. The way we respond matters deeply. And not just respond on their first visit with welcome - but to continue to include our visitors each Sunday they arrive.
As a church family, we are called to live out three simple but powerful actions: welcome, invite, connect.
Welcome: True hospitality goes beyond a smile and eye contact with a newcomer during the passing of the Peace. We need to be a place where newcomers feel seen, valued, and included. One beginning step is to remember someone's name: and you can help our guest remember yours by wearing your name tag! Name tags are a simply way to show visitors and newcomers that we are a place where 'everyone knows your name...' People may forget a sermon, but they rarely forget how a congregation made them feel on their first visit.
Invite: An invitation can change a life. Many people are searching for faith, friendship, and community, but they may never come back unless someone personally asks them. A warm invitation to join you in the Parish Hall for coffee or a text to a newcomer letting them know that you will be at Bible study or a fellowship event can become the first step in moving someone from guest to member.
Connect: Newcomers need opportunities to build friendships, serve alongside others, and become part of the life of Saint Johns. However you the parishioner connect into life at Saint John's - singing in the choir, serving on the Green Team, coming to Women's Dinner or Men's Breakfast, helping to care for our property and grounds - chances are our newcomers have many gifts that they are eager to share, too. Help connect our newcomers with others in our parish. When we intentionally connect people to small groups, outreach ministries, and fellowship opportunities, we transform visitors into family.
This Sunday the Vestry has invited our new(ish) members to a special coffee hour in their honor. Come and get to know our newcomers so that they can become treasured friends.
Blessings,
Rev Jill
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