An
intentional mindset
California church takes
hospitality ministry seriously
By DICK SNYDER (December 2002)
IT'S DIFFICULT NOT to
feel welcomed at Trinity Church, Santa Barbara, Calif.
Welcoming newcomers is part of an intentional, well-developed method
that acquaints visitors with the church and encourages their
participation.
"It begins with some core values of the parish," said the Rev. Mark
Asman, rector. "The issue of hospitality is an intentional mindset in the
parish."
It includes the way that visitors are welcomed in
the parish office during the week and the way that telephone calls are
answered. "That impression is very important" to visitors, Asman
explained. A web site (www.trinitysb.org) also is used "as a tool for
welcoming new people that we didn't expect."
The welcoming process was reviewed at a parish "visioning" meeting, and
that has led to a program that incorporates "hospitality beyond
welcoming," said Asman. It's a priority of the Parish Life and Growth
Council, one of five councils consisting of parish staff and
congregational members that coordinate the parish's activities.
"We have a culture of inclusiveness and a shared ministry at Trinity,"
said Steve Singleton, who chairs the council. "It's what we as a church
community think of ourselves. It's important to practice what we preach.
We mean to act on what we believe is important."
The parish's mission statement affirms the "value of inclusion and
diversity," added Asman. "We are active in justice work in the community
and have a progressive agenda. People come here for that."
Visitors at worship are welcomed by greeters, who are identified. "We
try not to attack [visitors] but let them know they are welcome," said the
Rev. Anne Howard, associate rector.
The bulletin for the 10 a.m. service every Sunday includes all the
words used in the liturgy and the hymns. "The Book of Common Prayer is not
very user-friendly for first-time worshipers," explained Asman.
"There is intent to have an absolutely open Eucharist," he added. Both
the bulletin and announcements during the worship state that the Eucharist
is open to everyone, "wherever they are on their faith journey."
Following worship, there is a welcome table and a resource table, where
visitors can sign up for parish classes. There is a half-hour program each
Sunday, which in a four-week cycle covers the gospel as lived out at
Trinity, a discussion of the shared-ministry program, a discussion of the
formation program and a tour of the church facilities.
New members also are encouraged to join an ongoing catechesis class,
which is held in small groups and in the homes of church members. The
classes allow new members to meet and share with other members of the
congregation.
"It's a way for people who have trouble being heard to find a way to
enter into being heard," said Asman.
New members also have the opportunity to meet with a staff member to
explore what gifts for ministry they bring and how they could be put to
use within the worshiping community.
"Shared ministry is taken seriously here," said Singleton. "We work
seriously to discern their gifts for ministry, rather than trying to
strong-arm someone into a particular job."
Added Howard, "We are
constantly refining the newcomer process. We are open to reviewing what
works and what doesn't work. We want to make it more welcoming."
Dick Snyder is western correspondent for Episcopal Life and a seminarian at Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, Calif.
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