All Are Welcome
Looking around our packed church on the evening of the Red State Revival gave me a glimpse into our future—well, almost! Pews were filled, extra seating was added, and a crowd waited to hear Nadia Bolz-Weber’s message of hope. It was exhilarating!
Could something close to this exist on a Sunday morning? Hang on … because our numbers on Sunday mornings are gradually moving upward, with more folks than ever checking us out, listening to Fr. Eric’s message for the first time, and declaring St. John’s as their new spiritual home.
To offer new folks a way to get to know Fr. Eric and chat with some vestry members, we have established third Sundays as a time for that (also known as Coffee with Clergy) in the Molly Warwick Room on the second floor following the service. So, how can you help us welcome and track newcomers to St. John’s?
Be bold and approach folks you haven’t seen in church before. If you’re nervous about offending a longtime member who hasn’t attended in a while, simply introduce yourself and say some version of, “We may not have met before, but I’m glad you’re here.” If they indicate that they are new or visiting, tell them about third Sundays (this month it is Sept. 21), ask if you can submit their name to Bianca so they can receive more information about the church, and invite them to coffee hour. Introduce them to folks around them and ask if they’d like to meet Fr. Eric. Some will accept your offer to accompany them to Hunter Hall, while others will want to exit immediately after the service. Be sensitive to their comfort zone and react accordingly.
Look for the burgundy welcome folders on the back table in the nave. Offer one to a newcomer and ask them to fill out one of the newly created Connect cards in the pews and leave it on the back table for Bianca to find. Bianca is using those, along with the guest book at the Quarrier Street entrance and our own reporting, to help track newcomers and invite them to the third Sunday coffee.
These are exciting times at St. John’s: a new kitchen (pictured being blessed below), new bathrooms, and new beloved children of God.
