In this Issue:

Convention 2006

Alaska's Bishop Mc Donald, keynotes 2006 Convention

Nominees for Diocesan Offices

Resolution Alert! Due in Diocesan Office by February 3

Other Stories

Ministry of Hospitality: St. Paul's Newport

Listening: King's message spans Americas, Panama's bishop declares

Haitian institute dierector killed in Port-au-Prince

Commentaries

From the Bishop: Daddy, Why can't I go to Fun Town?

Reflection: Riding a bumpy camel

X-ercizing: Advent Lessons

Meeting God in Pascagoula, Mississippi

Diocesan Calendar

Past Issues

Ministry of Hospitality: St. Pauls, Newport

The Rev. S. Matthew Young

“I’ve visited a lot of Episcopal churches, and signed their guest books, but never had I received such a thoughtful and sincere gesture from a church,” wrote Beth Pecoraro upon being asked what made her decide to return to St. Paul’s, Newport, after visiting. “I wanted to find one [a congregation] that was warm, open, and accepting of me and my Catholic fiancé. I found that, and more, as soon as I stepped into St. Paul’s.” Beth’s transfer letter has not been received yet, but she already pledges and sings in the choir.

The Episcopal Church welcomes you. That bold statement has been a fixture in many congregations around this country for years. In some congregations, these words serve as a guide for mission, almost a rallying cry. In other places, they remain words. Is this statement fact or fiction in your congregation?

St. Paul’s, Newport, has in recent months been focusing on making these familiar words really live through a ministry of hospitality. In September 2004, I was appointed Vicar by Bishop Stacy Sauls with the purpose of redeveloping and growing St. Paul’s into a self-sufficient congregation and returning her to parish status. The diocese entered into a five-year agreement with St. Paul’s with generous financial consideration for my salary. The diocesan support reduces by 20% each year.

It is a unique situation since St. Paul’s is a historic, urban, and downtown congregation in Newport, a city that is experiencing tremendous revitalization with all the challenges and opportunities that entails.

While that specific goal is nowhere near completion and much work remains, the congregation is making considerable progress. One of those areas is welcoming those who come for the very first time. In addition to making sure one is greeted when they arrive, guests are welcomed verbally by the celebrant and invited to come back. It’s also crucial for people to go out of their way to introduce themselves to the newcomer and tell them that they are welcome.

I often say something very simple such as, “We want to extend a special welcome to our guests and visitors here today,” invite them to sign the guest register, invite to coffee hour, and always say something such as, “If you are searching for a church home, then we invite you to consider St. Paul’s as a family of faith.” It’s very important to get to the point and actually identify with the newcomer by naming what they may be thinking.

St. Paul’s no longer has a service bulletin in a table of contents format which refers to other books and papers. An all-inclusive bulletin helps to make the newcomer feel more comfortable because they are no longer being asked to look at the outline, find the correct page in The Book of Common Prayer, pay attention to a bulletin insert, or find the service music in a completely separate book. Teaching The Book of Common Prayer can be incorporated in new member instruction and catechumenal ministries.

We want to make sure each visitor receives a gift which includes a St. Paul’s coffee mug, ink pen, sturdy magnet, and my business card. Starting this month, the mug will hold a professionally designed six-sided brochure which tells more about the congregation. The brochure contains a welcome, how to become a member, information about the Episcopal church, a map of our location, service times, something about the Vicar, and something about our members. These gifts are for all first-time visitors, even if they are from out of town.

Every attempt is made to get an address from the visitor in order to follow up with them with a phone call and/or handwritten note from me or a member of the Bishop’s Committee. The note says “Welcome. We are glad you are here. You are always welcome. If we can be of any service please let us know.”

It’s hard for those of us who have been a part of a congregation for an extended period of time to understand what a courageous act it is for someone to try out a church for the very first time. Literally, God may only know what someone has been struggling with and, therefore, how that person is received may leave them with a lasting impression of who God is. Bishop’s Committee member J. Paul Wilson explains, “First impressions are very important and the gifts very much reinforce that.”

For some longtime members, welcoming newcomers was awkward at first. Bishop’s Warden Mary Lou King-Davies commented, “I felt a bit apprehensive about doing this part myself, but now, seeing the results and experiencing getting to know the newer people, I wonder why I hesitated.”

Going beyond apprehension and hesitation may make the difference in helping someone connect with Christ and his Church in a relationship of Word and Sacrament. It’s that important. Newer member Sara Meuser said, “After attending church services where I knew I wasn’t really recognized, I knew that I was noticed and appreciated here.”

A ministry of hospitality costs money, but there are a few realities to consider. A congregation reluctant to spend a little money might ask itself, “Is connecting someone to Jesus in a relationship that will last forever worth it?” In addition, you might be surprised just how inexpensive the costs really are. Moreover, you will also be surprised how many people do not mind increasing their giving when they see such tangible reasons.

A ministry of hospitality is part of the puzzle for inviting and welcoming newcomers to the faith and the congregation. But, it’s an important piece. St. Paul’s current Sunday attendance stands around 45 to 50. That is over 200% greater than the September 2004 average of around 20. Participation by newcomers and long-time members in ministry opportunities is increasing as well as is financial giving. All of these efforts are working to get the congregation to parish status by September 2009.

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