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Being more welcoming

Intros

This module first into the FAITH360 strand Note also THE 360 PROGRAM Summarise the layout of the 360 Program, noting: Note the way in which this day of learning fits into the wider framework of the “360 Program” Three strands – BIBLE360 covering Scriptural issues, FAITH360 dealing with faith formation more directly and MISSION360, looking at the ways in which the church can communicate with and care for the communities of which we are a part. This module first into the FAITH360 strand Note also That new modules are under development To keep up to date about development of new modules, head to www.formedfaith.org

How would you define…welcoming, or hospitality? Let’s hear some biblical examples to get us started…

Here’s a story…

Being hospitable - Acts 20: 7-9 On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul was holding a discussion with them; since he intended to leave the next day, he continued speaking until midnight. There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were meeting. A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, began to sink off into a deep sleep while Paul talked still longer. Overcome by sleep, he fell to the ground three floors below and was picked up dead. Part two to follow later Is Eutychus made welcome?

Luke 15: 19b-24 But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate. How does this help us define hospitality?

Welcome – some definitions 1: received gladly into one's presence or companionship <was always welcome in their home> 2: giving pleasure : received with gladness or delight especially in response to a need <a welcome relief> 3: willingly permitted or admitted <he was welcome to come and go — W. M. Thackeray> 4—used in the phrase “You're welcome” as a reply to an expression of thanks Making a new person comfortable to be in a new place

Why is this funny? What's wrong with this?

Why might people come for the first time? The visitor comes in all sizes, shapes, ages, races, sexes. Most importantly, the visitor looks just like you and your family. The visitor... May be someone new to your community. May be someone seeking a spiritual home for himself/herself or for his/her family. May be someone from another faith tradition. May be someone who is Anglican and has moved. May be someone who doesn’t know the terminology or the practices of The Anglican Church. May be someone who is seeking God and wants to know if your church can help on the path. May be a family...a single parent with children...a teenager... a uni student... May be someone who is lonely or going through a tough time…. May be someone invited by you… The visitor can be anyone. Who are these visitors???

What don’t you know if you turn up for the first time? Before arriving Arriving Worshipping Let’s think through the service… Prayers Posture Movement After To begin our thinking, Lets make a list together Before arriving – where to park or not to, what to wear, what time services are on? Arriving – how to enter (quietly?), where to sit? What books you need Prayers – following in the book, how we are involved, what prayers mean and where they're from Posture – when to kneel, sit or stand. Movement – how communion is done, how passing the peace is done, how offering is done After – where morning tea is, when you can leave the building, how things are done

Jargon

Insert church jargon exercise from o+G

Do the audit… From The Welcoming Church – How to welcome newcomers in the Local Church By Peter Corney

Talking it through…

Mixed messages

Welcomers cartoon

Sitting in my space cartoon

Can we be too welcoming?

1. What are three (or more) things you can change in the short term. 2 1. What are three (or more) things you can change in the short term? 2. In the longer term? 3. By next year?

On the first day of the week, when we met to break bread, Paul was holding a discussion with them; since he intended to leave the next day, he continued speaking until midnight. There were many lamps in the room upstairs where we were meeting. A young man named Eutychus, who was sitting in the window, began to sink off into a deep sleep while Paul talked still longer. Overcome by sleep, he fell to the ground three floors below and was picked up dead. But Paul went down, and bending over him took him in his arms, and said, ‘Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.’ Then Paul went upstairs, and after he had broken bread and eaten, he continued to converse with them until dawn; then he left. Meanwhile they had taken the boy away alive and were not a little comforted. Acts 20: 7-12

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