How do we express “Welcome”?

How do we express “Welcome” at Chapel in the Pines?

 

[A message from Keith Glidewell, who has served as Chair of the Membership and Welcome Committee from 2019-2022.]

 

During my tenure as chair of the Membership and Welcome Committee, I’ve noticed that almost every incoming new member mentions the friendliness of this church, the welcome that they felt when they first walked through our doors.

 

Our welcoming approach is intentional. You all know that in our mission statement, the first of the “three Ws,” is “Welcome.”  Those three W’s are Welcome, Worship, and Witness. When everyone takes that to heart, it really shows, and it makes a tremendous difference.

 

I hope you’ve heard that we’re working to further extend our welcome to the LGBTQ community by becoming a More Light congregation. We’ve always been welcoming to all, but declaring ourselves as “More Light” makes a commitment to help our LGBTQ neighbors in the community, and makes it easier for those seeking a safe, accepting house of worship to find us.

 

Here are some ways you can help –

• When you come to worship or to an event, seek out someone you don’t know and introduce yourself. Share your stories. You’re bound to find a connection and you might just meet your new best friend.
• Join one of the discussion groups to envision how we can be better allies to our gay and trans siblings.
• Be an usher or a greeter! This is a great way to meet new people and show everyone your big smile! It can be contagious, in a good way.
• Step up and become a New Member Friend to mentor and shepherd someone joining the church. This helps the new members get integrated into the life of the church, and can reinvigorate your own relationship with the church.
• To learn more about the Membership and Welcome committee or about More Light, you can talk to me or Karen Fisher, the incoming membership chair.

 

Thanks for continuing to make Chapel in the Pines a friendly, welcoming, and caring place for everyone.

 

-Keith Glidewell, keithglidewell@gmail.com

-Karen Fisher, ksf411@gmail.com