Invite and Welcome | Reece Wrightman Welcome one another ... just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7)
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Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)
ot long after joining St. James’, I went to Victoria for a weekend where I attended the cathedral on a Sunday morning. I was warmly greeted by a man who told me the times of the services and took me to coffee hour after the service ended. It was there, talking with the strangers I had just met, that I learned that the man who had greeted me was the Sergeant-at-Arms of the Legislature. I was frankly astonished that someone with an exalted position in “real life” would do a task I regarded as low in the hierarchy of the church. I felt a need to re-examine my attitude, to say the least. My reflections led me to consider what part “invite and welcome” has in the life of the church. The Coffee Hour; Communications; Front Steps and Narthex; Joyful Noise; and New Members groups all minister directly to the people of St. James’ and often to our neighbours. Most of our work is carried out in public. The St. James’ Day picnic
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is an example of Joyful Noise at work, a yearly opportunity to welcome friends, family and strangers into our midst. The Coffee Hour is a weekly opportunity to practice hospitality and it allows all of the people of St. James’ to develop and nurture relationships following Mass while respecting the beauty of the Mass. Similar descriptions can be used for all of the guilds and ministries that fall under the mission objective of “Invite and welcome.” Some guilds, such as New Members, have struggled for members themselves, although welcoming newcomers into our parish family is as rewarding an activity as can be carried out in the church. All of our actions can truly be said to matter. I cannot imagine considering myself part of the church without taking part in the life of the church. Every opportunity to serve brings with it an opportunity to understand more deeply what it means to live the Christian life. In the Church, there is a place - a need - for every single member. We ourselves, not someone else, can choose to live fuller, deeper, less lonely lives. Consider choosing to join one of the guilds and ministries listed above. I’d be happy to help you connect with them.
St. James’ first mission objective: To be a beacon for all as a neighbourhood and destination church where we invite and welcome friends, family and strangers into our midst
photo: Tracy Russell, Welcoming of New Members, July 24, 2011