June 21, 2023

We have officially entered the long, green Season after Pentecost, otherwise known as Ordinary Time.

We have also officially entered the summer season – the season of vacations, trips to the beach, family visits, bbq's, and other activities.

One of the things summer also brings us are visitors to the church. People may just be passing through the area and want to worship on a Sunday morning. Some people may want to see something different from what they're used to. Some people may be new to the area and are searching for a spiritual home. Some people, for whatever reason, may have left their old church and are looking for a new home as well. Whatever the reason, summer is a time we may see new people come through our doors.

I recently read an article written by a retired ELCA pastor who visited several churches in an effort to find a spiritual home. Although not surprising, she was surprised by the spectrum of welcoming to non-welcoming churches she visited. A lot of what she wrote about is obvious and already incorporates how we interact with visitors here at Saint John's; but she made a few points that bear repeating.

“Hospitality,” she said, “is about spotters and scooters.”

Spotters are those people who keep a lookout for new people or people they don't recognize. A spotter will then make a point to introduce themselves to the new person with something like, “I don't believe we've met . . . I'm NN.” They will then offer to accompany them to coffee hour or, if before the service, ask if they are familiar with the Episcopal liturgy. In both cases they will also look to spot a parishioner who will then take them under their wing, so to speak.

Scooters are those people who move to invite the new person to join them. If this is at coffee hour, they notice (or are told by the spotter) the visitor in the room and move to interact with them. They ask non-threatening questions (“Where are you from?” or “Do you have any questions about the church?” but NOT, “Would you like to chair our pledge campaign this year?”). If this is before the service, a scooter can ask if they are familiar with the liturgy and, if not, offer to sit next to them and help guide them through the BCP & Hymnal. Even if they are familiar, asking to share a pew and then inviting them to stay afterward shows you care about not leaving them alone.

The best way to bring people into the faith and into the church is by inviting them. The second best way is by taking an interest in them when they are visiting and not leaving them alone.

In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the elect, “I was a stranger and you invited me in.” This summer let's make sure we spot the stranger in our midst, scoot up next to them, and invite them in.

Blessings,