A
few weeks ago, I saw God at work in our church. It was Sunday and I had just
settled down in my usual area of the front pews. It was getting very close to
the time for church to start and I noticed a woman with young children come and
sit in one of the pews in front. I had never seen this woman before and I
smiled at her as she tried to settle her children in the pew. Then, God, in the
form of one of our church members appeared. One of our church members leaned
over to her and began explaining about our church’s childcare and Sunday school
opportunities. After the children’s message, this woman rose with the mother
and escorted her and her children off to Sunday school and childcare. They
didn’t come back for some time so I assume that our church member didn’t just
drop them off but stayed with the family until they were comfortable.
This experience reminds me that we all need to remember to be welcoming and gracious to newcomers in our sanctuary. If someone new sits near you in the pews, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself and ask if they know about our Sunday activities for children. Feel free to take a stuffed animal from the chest in the narthex for children or for the child in you! Don’t be afraid to help direct the families to one of the Sunday school leaders in the back after the children’s message. After worship, feel free to introduce the new family to Kristen Anderson or Marianne Post. They would be more than happy to speak with them about the children’s activities at our church.
Marianne and the Sunday school teachers will continue to be welcoming to all families, but it takes all of us to be welcoming! I witnessed God working through a church member one Sunday, was that member you?
Kristen Anderson
