Practicing hospitality or welcoming is an every member activity. We sometimes hear people say that welcoming is not their “thing”. The truth is that welcoming takes intentionality, practice, and effort. Welcoming is part of the Unitarian Universalist values of inherent worth and connection.
Welcoming is a learned skill, and improves with regular practice. We stretch and grow our welcoming skills when we step outside our comfort zones and welcome people who are different from us.
Some best practices in welcoming:
Notice new faces and include someone new (or new to you) in your friend circle during coffee hour. Listen first and ask open questions before sharing your own stories about the church. Avoid making assumptions about a visitor's gender, family structure, or physical ability. Help ease visitors’ hidden fears - remember that walking into a new church (or any new place) often feels scary for people.
Some ideas to practice this Sunday:
Smile, make eye contact, and say a warm hello in the parking lot or at the doors. Save a seat next to you for someone new and share the songbook in the sanctuary. Introduce yourself to a visitor and/or introduce a visitor to at least one other person during coffee hour. Reflect on how you made others feel today after church.
Remember, every warm interaction builds a stronger, kinder church, and small actions add up to a truly inclusive spiritual home. Let’s practice the art of welcome this week and always.
Questions about welcoming, the HoMe Team, or membership?
Contact Barbara Frazell, memprof@liveoakuu.org
