HELLO!

I have used this quote before, but it is so important it deserves to be repeated… “If your church were to disappear off the face of the earth tomorrow, would anyone in the community notice it was gone?" (Tim Keller). As a minister who has served the church for 35.5 years, I ponder this question more than any other. When you see me looking happy or delighted in church, it’s because I feel the answer is yes. When you see me look frustrated or sad, it’s because I fear the answer is no.

Today the answer was a joy-filled yes. You could feel the Spirit alive throughout the morning. I felt it in the service. I hope you feel likewise. Here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXqyvinXCD4

It started with the welcome our greeters/ushers offered. First of all, James and Sam look like they are enjoying themselves, they look like they want to be here. If you want to encourage people to join you, in any activity, the first and most important thing to remember is…no one will join you if you look miserable. I felt so alive as I witnessed Sam and James. Then Rick told me about a woman who came early, from the community, her first time here. Carol had never been to a United Church before, but she walked by the church and wanted to worship with us. I welcomed her and so did many others. Peace came to church today, she wants to be an Usher. I introduced her to Jan and Alan. She starts next week. Linda is loving the choir, she showed up one night, just as Kaitlin and I were leaving the building. I saw her reading the words on the door, I came to the other side and offered a booming HELLO! I then welcomed her inside. She mentioned the choir, Kaitlin came and told her how much she loved the choir and hoped Linda would join her. She did. Two weeks in she is having a wonderful time. Jerry was the first to greet her.

When people ask me “what can I do” to bring life and love to the church I respond, “welcome people”, give them a sense of your belonging and find out how we can do the same for them. Adrian is going to help with our AV Team. Jessica is leading our youth group. Nancy is making blankets of love. When new people find a place to serve, make new friends, we offer a sense of “home”, a place everyone craves. The Gospel of John, at its core, is about the early church finding a “home” in Christ. There are “many rooms”, “I do not call your servants, I call you friends…”

It was a good day. Peace, Kevin