2019: A Year of Hospitality and Connection

“God's Creation gives us a model for making and sharing homes with people, but the reality of God's Trinitarian life suggests that Christian hospitality goes farther than that. We are not meant simply to invite people into our homes, but also to invite them into our lives.” –Lauren F. Winner, Mudhouse Sabbath
 
I’ve been thinking a great deal about hospitality lately.  I’ve been thinking about what it would take for us to make the kind of space in our life together in order to nurture meaningful and lasting connection for newer members and newcomers to our church community. 
 
Grace is truly a welcoming congregation.  Almost everybody agrees on this.  When folks visit our campus, whether for school business, for a community event, or for worship, they are met with love and kindness – consistently greeted with warmth, generously assisted in finding their way around, kindly thanked for being with us and always invited back.  We welcome visitors unconditionally, affirm difference and diversity, and make space for the new experiences and perspectives that others bring.  I am so grateful that this value of welcoming was already wholeheartedly embraced before I arrived at Grace early last year.

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