I have never before been associated with a church that welcomes as many outside visitors onto its property each week as we do here. This last week has seen many additional new faces on the property with the large memorial services taking place here, but each week we also host numbers of our own internal groups, various mission projects (soup kitchen, sewing lessons, sew and sews, adult literacy, computer classes) and a host of outside groups (including ballet, yoga, Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous, and others), not to mention the pre-school and gym on our property too.
All of those groups can sometimes create logistical challenges for our staff as we try and fit everyone in! but they also represent an incredible opportunity for us to serve, welcome and connect with people from the broader Westville community. When we explored some of our community values together earlier this year, one thing that was very clear was that we want to be a church that is warmly welcoming, inclusive and treats people with kindness. We would love for outsiders to feel at home here. It makes we wonder what we could do ensure that all these visitors to our property routinely experience that kindness and welcome. What do you think?
All of those groups can sometimes create logistical challenges for our staff as we try and fit everyone in! but they also represent an incredible opportunity for us to serve, welcome and connect with people from the broader Westville community. When we explored some of our community values together earlier this year, one thing that was very clear was that we want to be a church that is warmly welcoming, inclusive and treats people with kindness. We would love for outsiders to feel at home here. It makes we wonder what we could do ensure that all these visitors to our property routinely experience that kindness and welcome. What do you think?