Hospitality
Hospitality is more than sharing pizza and beer. Hospitality is more than acting nice toward people you know and like, or even toward people you don't know and don't like.
It is, rather, a fundamental quality of God, and the People of God. Think of the words "hospital," and "hostel" - these related words begin to hint at the purpose and practice and possibilities of hospitality.
Biblical hospitality is a profound outward expression of an inner desire to provide space that is safe, healing, peacful, productive and happy. It is a social sacrament that demonstrates the presence of God.
Indeed, the Greek word perichoresis, used to describe the dance of relationship between the members of the Trinity (Sovereign, Saviour, Spirit), suggests that this very hospitality is part of the very nature of the Holy. (Or, if Greek is all Greek to you, read The Shack to get a sense of the relationship and love that is at the heart of Creation. That's why the Christian Message is called "Good News!)
Worship
Sunday Morning worship is not just turning toward God - it is turning toward each other. After all - that is God's number 1 and 2 commandment (Love God, and your neighbour as yourself). Begin to reconnect over pre-worship coffee. Find your name-tag (we'll provide your first one free! Just let us know you'd like one). Read each other's name-tags (yes, it does help!) Write notes to each other and the ministry team on the Friendship Forms that weave their way along the pews. Have your picture taken for the Congregational Photo-Directory.
Speak to a staff person, email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), or call the church office (475.1586). Your efforts will be welcomed!
Meals
To be sure, food is often the beginning of hospitality. To that end, lunches and dinners and feasts and festivals almost always involve congregational meals of some kind. Sometimes the meal will be a pot-luck, where everyone contributes one dish to share with a few other people. Like Stone Soup, the more makes it merrier. Sometimes the meal will be a pancake breakfast, or a hot-dog picnic, or a soup smorgasbord prepared by a group in the church. Sometimes the meal will be a major event, like a Fall Supper, a Lobster Dinner, a Bud-Spud-and-Steak Fundraiser that the whole congregation supports to invite the community. Sometimes, it could even be a black tie Gala to raise funds for some project or another. Whatever the meal, helping hands are always needed.
Speak to a staff person, email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), or call the church office (475.1586). Your efforts will be welcomed!
Events
Sometimes the event is less about eating, and more about greeting. From time to time throug the year, congregants are invited to participate in activities that are more about fun-raising than fund-raising. Whether it is a mid-week screening of a popular movie or a Big Band Dance, or the Fall Fort Garry Cup competition, there are opportunities to re-unite in this United Congregation.
Speak to a staff person, email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), or call the church office (475.1586). Your efforts will be welcomed!
Groups
Meals and events are not the end of fellowship. Rather it is the development of profound and blessing relationships that is the goal. We encourage everyone to take "next steps" to enrich relationships within and beyond the church. We also encourage everyone to find a group within the church with which to connect. As per our PALS+ model, these groups may have very different purposes and activities, suitable for many different interests. But all of them provide a place where life-long friendships and life-deepening and enriching activities may take place.
Speak to a staff person, email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ), or call the church office (475.1586). Your efforts will be welcomed!
