By Anne Schmidt
One of the ways we build a spirit of belonging in our church is by knowing one another’s name. In a church of our size, a great tool for helping us learn and use each other’s names is a nametag. That’s why Transfiguration launched a major nametag initiative in September and why the Transfiguration Endowment provided a generous grant to help us purchase a nametag for everyone in our church.
As you put on your nametag, I hope that you will remember it as an act of hospitality that is more important now than ever. We are still wearing masks which often act as a disguise, and the nametag provides reassurance that we know whom we are talking with. Some of us have lost or gained weight, gone gray, or in the case of some of our kids, gotten much taller over the last many months. Our new little badges will help us recognize each other. Over our time of separation, we have gained many new members who are now trying to connect faces and names that they may only know from Zoom. Having nametags will speed the process. Lastly, we still welcome new people every single week; we want them to know us and know that if they wish, they can belong here, too.
We are excited to announce that our first batch of nametags has arrived and more will be added to the new magnetic board as we receive them. If yours is here go ahead and grab it from the board and wear it the next time you are on campus. You are welcome to return it to the board for safekeeping before you go home. I invite you to wear your nametags at any events or meetings you attend here, too. Let’s help each other make it a habit.
Nametags alone can’t help someone new feel like they belong, but they can help. They are one of the many tools we can use to nurture our sense of community and belonging.
Peace,
Anne Schmidt
Director of Evangelism and Welcome Ministries