Thanks to those who were able to attend one of the two offerings of Welcoming Training at UCE this month. We had inspiring and helpful conversations about some of the best practices for being radically hospitable, inclusive, accessible, and multi-culturally sensitive. Our hospitality teams have added so much to the warmth and welcoming of our thriving congregation. It is a joy to share the spiritual practice of hospitality with all of you. We are so much better together!

There were several handouts available at the training, which can be found here, in case you are looking to improve your skills as a greeter or usher. Here are some of the important take aways that I wanted to be sure to pass on so that as many of us as possible can participate in creating a warm and embracing community:

– The front doors are heavy! Please open them for visitors if you can, and especially if someone is struggling or has their arms full.

– When you are greeting at the front door, stay available to all who enter. Try to avoid getting involved in long conversations and missing those who come in.

– The guest table in the lobby and the newcomer table near the coffee are both places where longer conversations can take place.

– Learn to read people’s signals: How much information are they looking for? When do they want to just quietly check things out before being engaged?

– Also, try to push yourself a little beyond your comfort zone. If you are introverted, see if you can be a little more outgoing. Try simply introducing yourself and saying welcome to everyone you don’t know. If you tend to pounce on people (could be my tendency) try to hang back just a bit. Most importantly – have fun!

– We now have large print orders of service on the hymnal carts as well as 2 large print hymnals. Please help us raise the awareness of these items and pass them out to those who need them.

– Passing the offering basket is not hard but it does take coordination! I’ve taped written instruction into the offering bowls. Please read them and follow them if you are doing this job. I’m also including those instructions on the hospitality team sign up page.

– For hospitality leaders, here is the link to the google doc, which includes a sign up sheet and all the information you need to know for Sunday mornings. This is the version for two services: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1j3vpk1I8CrfJmn_N2jpXTMoKduGrFPrVzDNwHTxBFno/edit

 

Yours in faith and with gratitude,

Eileen