Christ goes in the guise of a stranger

Hospitality Basics

A Celtic Rune of Hospitality

We saw a stranger yesterday,
We put food in the eating place,
Drink in the drinking place,
Music in the listening place,
And, with the sacred name of the triune God,

He blessed us and our house,
Our cattle and our dear ones,
As the lark says in her song:
Often, often, often, goes Christ in the
stranger’s guise.

Are we ready for guests?

Every church wants to be known as a friendly church, of course. But the reality goes much deeper. To extend a true welcome, the hospitality of Christ, is to do all that is possible to make a place for every one who comes seeking a spiritual home.

The new season will bring guests our way. Let’s be sure we’re prepared with the basics:

A church that looks fresh and cleaned as though prepared for company

Greeters at the door—always

The front entryway as “the welcome zone” on Sunday mornings (the job of any member there is to say hello to everyone who comes in the door—other discussions should take place around the corner in the hallway)

Every member feeling equipped to introduce themselves to visitors and offer to give directions, answer questions, and invite to coffee hour

To give us a chance to brush up on our basics, the Hospitality Committee is planning for sometime in early fall to provide all worshipers with our “Guidelines” piece on being a welcoming church.

The committee will also be reviewing the use of the sample church “business cards” provided in the spring so that members may have a resource to hand any acquaintance as part of an invitation to our church.

“As you have done it to the least of these my brothers and sisters you have done it to me.”

Enjoy these golden days of late summer!

Peace,

Rod

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