the word: The St. David of Wales Newcomers and Hospitality Ministry (Team) is back!
by Matt Taylor, Newcomers and Hospitality Team lead
Over the past three weekends, Barbara Brecht has brewed, transported, and set up coffee hour immediately following the service. She’s provided muffins and fruit, water, and cups. All was presented on a nice table cloth placed over the picnic table. The impact was immediate: people lingered, caught up, shared news, and made plans. Snacks were gobbled. Kids played in the yard, babies were cradled, and it felt blissfully like old times.
Thank you Barbara: as our Hospitality Ministry Vestry Liaison, we are so grateful for your leadership and the return of coffee hour.
We’ve all been eager for a return to that special social time after our regular Sunday service. COVID and the kitchen renovation have stymied this signature activity of our hospitality ministry for over two years, and we are overdue for its return. For the near-term we will continue to keep coffee hour simple (following Barbara’s example) and will serve in the front yard of the church (by the picnic table). Once the kitchen and new Parish Hall buffet are open for business, we will base there, but may continue serving outside when great weather prevails.
The other work of the ministry needs much attention as well. Drawing from a list in the 2018 Strategic Plan: the Newcomers and Hospitality Ministry should:
- Greet and welcome visitors;
- Follow up from welcome cards;
- Take people out for coffee;
- Organize quarterly newcomer brunches; and
- Coordinate hospitality teams [i.e. groups to run coffee hour].
I love this list. And it can evolve and change, based on the will and work of our loving community. Also, we have guiding questions for this ministry (thank you to whoever wrote them!): How do we welcome those who show up to worship God with us? How do we welcome them into the life of the church?
If you are interested in joining Barbara, me, and others to help out answer those questions with affirmative and joyful action, please join us for a kick-off information meeting next Tuesday (August 2, 2022) at 5pm in the Parish Hall and on Zoom. We will talk about the history, expectations, ideas and next steps for this essential ministry.
And refreshments will be provided!
If you cannot make it we will share notes, and if you want to talk with me further please email or text me a good time to connect. I would love to meet for coffee or some other beverage! Following the meeting, I will begin to put together a signup system for volunteering, and everyone will have a chance to be part of Hospitality!
Yours in love and humble service,
Matt Taylor, Newcomers and Hospitality Ministry Team Lead
541-921-0316
mcleod09@gmail.com
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