By Mother Rebecca
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers,
for by doing that some
have entertained angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2).
When was the last time you visited a church without knowing a single soul? What led you to make that visit: were you on vacation or searching for a new church home? How did you feel before walking in doors: were you excited about seeing a new place or anxious about whether it would be a good fit?
For many people, visiting a church as a first-time guest (or returning to a church after just one or two visits) can be daunting. The bigger the church, the harder these initial visits can be. Churches are like families: it seems like everyone knows everyone. It can be hard to make connections with people who already feel deeply connected with one another.
Aware of the bravery it can take to visit a church and the challenges that visiting a church as large as Transfiguration can present, on April 1 we opened a new Welcome Center. The Center is the result of the creative vision of Gabby Guion, our Minister for Congregational Life. Each weekend, she and team of greeters transform our library into a pop-up hospitality booth where visitors and newer members can connect with us in an intimate and cozy space.
For many years, we greeted newcomers in our Gathering Space just outside the nave. Recently, we’ve realized that the hub-bub of our fellowship time in that space limits our ability to greet our guests personally and enjoy meaningful conversation with them. In addition, the Gathering Space has become the home of The Saint John’s Bible, attracting members and guests alike to linger after services to peruse this unique manuscript and its brilliant illuminations.
Our library-based Welcome Center is adjacent to the Gathering Space, yet secluded enough to allow for conversation. Overlooking our Memorial Garden, guests enjoy a glimpse into the beauty of our campus. Inside the Welcome Center, guests have space and time to complete visitor cards, receive welcome packets, learn about fellowship and ministry opportunities, and can help themselves to light refreshments.
“Our goal is to create a fun space in which we can meet, welcome, and inform our guests about our life together here at Transfiguration,” says Gabby. “This is a big place, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by our size and the number of people coming and going. The Welcome Center is a gentle place to land, introduce yourself, and begin to feel like you might belong.”
Once a month, ministry and fellowship groups at Transfiguration are invited to partner with Gabby and her team by serving as guest hosts in the Welcome Center. We know that people are more likely to return to a church if they’ve made a meaningful connection with one or two people during their first visit. We hope to facilitate such connections by highlighting different aspects of our community each month. Guest hosts will help respond to common questions. Where is the nursery? Could I have a tour of the church? How could I make an appointment with a member of the clergy? How would I go about joining the choir?
This weekend, take a moment to peek inside our Welcome Center. Don’t all come at once or we won’t have room for our guests! And, please friends, when you see someone new, perhaps wandering the halls with eyes wide and looking a little uncomfortable about where to go next, please introduce yourself and escort them to the Welcome Center. If you have the gift of hospitality and are interested in serving as a greeter or Welcome Center team member, please drop in and speak with Gabby or a member of her team.
The Welcome Center is open for 30 minutes before and after each service on Saturdays and Sundays. See you this weekend!
Mother Rebecca