Stranger to Friend: Exploring welcome and hospitality in church

The Revd Canon Dr Sandra Millar, Director of Mission and Ministry, welcomes you to Stranger to Friend, an event taking place this November.

“A few years ago I happened to go to a church I’d never been to before in a diocese far away from Gloucester.  I walked in and was given a hymn book, a service book and three other bits of paper. No-one spoke to me. I sat in a pew that I thought was half way down, only to realise I had become the front row.

“The service rushed by, and as I left, still no-one spoke to me. I sat there thinking ‘they don’t know if I am grieving person, a new neighbour, or that I won one million on the lottery last night and am trying to decide where to donate it.’ And they would never know.

“Of course, no-one would have that experience in your church, would they?

“There are so many reasons why someone might come through the doors of your church or a church-led activity, whether its a Sunday morning, a toddler group or a lunch club. As Christmas approaches, we actively encourage people in our communities to come along to the many services and events that we will offer, and some will be there for the first time. And first impressions really matter. Most of us can look back at our own stories of why we joined or didn’t join something – whether Brownies or the gym – and usually that story includes a positive experience of welcome. Someone was nice to us.

“The Stranger to Friend morning on Saturday 16 November will build on national research with those who haven’t previously engaged with church, to discover some key things which help ensure that people of all ages can have a great welcome. We will look at some Biblical examples, share our own stories and grow in confidence as we explore what good welcome and hospitality might be, and how it plays a part in discovering the good news of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ.

“The morning will include:

• thinking about why people might be there,
• understanding how newcomers might be feeling,
• practical tips to help people feel at ease,
• and ideas about what next steps might be.

“And it turns out you don’t even need to spend money to be better at welcome. There will be a free simple workbook to take away which will help your church community think more deeply about welcome that is more than superficial.

“Welcome is not just the job of the people at the door, so this morning is for anyone who might end up sitting next to someone they don’t know, handing a coffee to a new mum at a toddler group, or just walking up the path with a person you haven’t previously met.  It will be a fun practical morning – and we might all leave having made some new friends.

Look forward to seeing you there.”

Full details on the event page →