People of Hope:
This past Sunday during Faith in Motion, we imagined ourselves in a new place. We feel awkward. We don’t know where to find things. We need help. We feel lost. We are not sure why we are even there. In this situation, what makes us feel welcome?
You said:
- When someone smiles at me
- When someone talks to me
- When someone says, “Welcome!”
- When someone invites me to coffee
- When someone shakes my hand
- When someone says, “Sit with me”
- When someone acknowledges my presence
- When someone invites me to something, like fellowship after worship
- When someone introduces me to someone else
- When someone says, “I’m glad you’re here”
- When someone asks me about myself
- When it’s easy to participate
- When someone says my name
When someone comes to worship at Esperanza for the first time and maybe for several times after that, the person may feel like we have felt — awkward, unsure, lost. Not everyone will resonate with all of these ways of being welcomed, but most of us are grateful when our presence is acknowledged, even in these simple ways.
I invite us to intentionally practice welcoming all those who show up on Sunday mornings, whether that person has long been part of the Esperanza community or is here for the very first time. What I love about all the different practices that help us feel welcome in a new space is that they are very easy to do! While there is certainly a place for a committee or a team to make our welcome of visitors even more intentional, the above practices are what really make a difference — and they can easily be done by every single one of us.
Jesus welcomed all people into his presence and into his ministry, not just in word but in deed. Likewise, we who rejoice that all are welcome at the table of hope welcome all the people God sends our way not simply in word but in deed.
With joy,
Pastor Sarah