An emerging theme?

Dear friends,

As I write this three of the five area exploration groups have met for the second round of reflections and their recorders have submitted their reports.  Each group determined their own priorities about where our congregation should be headed in the next twenty-five years, for that was the main question the group facilitators agreed on.  A twenty-five year period seemed to be a bit too long for many of those in attendance to wrap their heads around, but it is clear that the groups were future-oriented in their discussions.  Each group went in its own direction, but I am detecting the contours of an emerging theme.  It is the theme of welcoming.  There appears to be a consensus that we are on the right track, that our continued journey of opening to outsiders  and of total inclusion of all ethnic backgrounds, faith backgrounds and political views, sexual orientations and abilities is one that you all want to continue taking.  Also that you are comfortable with the congregation’s size.  But in thinking of the reports I received so far I conclude that are many dimensions of welcoming.  The groups were not necessarily interested in each dimension equally.

First, there are the mechanics of welcoming.  This has to do with how we respond to visitors and how we help them get acquainted with our congregational life.  There was significant room for improvement there you felt.  Then there is welcoming as hosting.  We welcome people by hosting them through special events and food.  This is a strength and can make newcomers feel they are at a family reunion every Sunday.  Then there is welcoming as social cohesion building.  It is a second stage of welcoming and has to with the mechanics of welcoming.  This addresses how we integrate people and make them feel at home.  One of the questions raised was how we introduce visitors to groups.  Because we are not rigidly, but more loosely organized, following the energy for certain activities that exists in the groups rather than rules, our groups (e.g. Mariners, Jujikai, Men’s, PPW) generally do not have a very strongly defined  identity. If they did it might mean they might not be as open and welcoming to outsiders. This is something to ponder. It is important to remember that visitors all have their own comfort level when it comes to integration.  Then there is the heart and soul of welcoming.  We can do the mechanics of welcoming well, be good hosts and integrate people, but this only truly works when it the welcoming is felt to be authentic and from the heart.  You said that we do quite well there. Then there is the welcoming to the outside, going out into the community and representing the congregation. A number of you would like to see more outreach to the community and to young people in particular; in other words going to people in addition to having them come to us.

A footnote to this discussion is that the session is having discussions about what our relationship should be to groups who come to us for the use of our facilities.  I notice that often it is easier to invite in individuals than groups.  This is something we will have to find answers too in the next six months or so and the session may need your help in answering these questions.  I encourage you to reflect deeply on what our philosophy of welcoming should be and devise a strategy for “radical” welcoming. This philosophy and strategy could determine how outside groups enhance or complete our sense of Christian mission in God’s world. Thanks for participating! I look forward to the meeting reports of the last two groups. May God bless our ministry. Aart