All are welcome

How hospitable are we when new friends come and join us? Alice has come to live here. There’s a bit of spitting as the other four in the menagerie adapt to her being here. She’s doing fine. It’s those who were here before her who aren’t sure! 

How much is this like we are when our circle is suddenly widened? Do we spit or do we make room for the new arrivals so they feel at home with us? 

It’s fun at the moment to play mystery worshipper  before I’m welcomed formally to this Circuit on September 1st and share in our Circuit Covenant Service so people will know who I am then. 

We went to two services this morning dropping into two churches we haven’t been to before in our Circuit. The first, in Emneth, had an informal breakfast service. We walked in just as it was about to start, were made warmly welcome being greeted by some really friendly folk. We were told to sit where we like, were given coffee and were chatted to. The local preacher, Sue, was fab. We had an excellent exploration on hospitality in the Gospels. Part of her service involved getting people to think how as a church they are welcoming through their ministry. A lady on our table shared what we had told her. “This young couple have come in and they think we’ve really welcomed them.” Young couple!! The worship, the sense of community, the state of the building, telling us what they do, really impressed me. I’m looking forward to leading them in worship on September 22nd. 

We went on, mad people that we are, to another service up the road at Terrington St John. This was a much smaller congregation. We made it 8. The preacher had her husband and two year old daughter with her so I guess the normal number there is 4. A woman came in at the end to collect up the hymn books and left. Quite bizarre! The local preacher leading us, Elaine, was excellent: really down to earth and warm. She, like Sue, in the service before this one, engaged me and I look forward to hearing them both again. 

This little place despite really good modern premises seems to be struggling. Two ladies spoke to us about past glories and their gloom about today. They thought I was the new Superintendent of the West Norfolk Circuit and Lis was their new minister! Debbie who is their new minister is married to Robert who is the Superintendent of the West Norfolk Circuit. We were not them! But despite this, we were welcomed and we would return. Getting your hospitality right is an important step in sharing the Gospel. 

I went to a third service in the little church near us this afternoon. I was glad a couple who’ve had a bad week felt able to share with me. We’ve been invited to their home. It’s good to begin to make friends here. I love their little stall outside their house. It’s fun round here you can buy fresh fruit and veg and put your pennies in an honesty box. 

Everyone has the right to a home. We all need to be welcome somewhere, sheltered, included, experience hospitality. We have begun to call where we live home, and we are glad to share it with others when we can. To be spat at for wanting to be part of community is an all too common experience for so many. I’m encouraged today having experienced church life in three of our Circuit churches that at least in them, all are welcome in this place. We need to watch for the newcomer and those who need shelter because as the letter to Hebrews warns us: 

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”

Meanwhile the challenge of welcoming the new continues here. There is progress: we are all asleep in the same room and the spitting has stopped for now!