Welcoming new people.
It is essential to do everything we can as Christians to be welcoming all the time, especially when we see new people in church.
There are different ways and reasons why people come to church. Some can receive invitations from friends directly or indirectly, it can be through a leaflet or pew sheet, and some may not be invited but moved to come to church on that day; it is possible also that this person is new in the parish and looking for a church to worship with.
For an individual to decide in their heart to come to church is always through the work of the Holy Spirit, so we also have a part to play to make them feel welcomed.
The church must be a place of love, comfort, spiritual upliftment, and an ambience full of grace. We must be the ones to help make them feel at home and loved for them to come again.
Matthew 10:40 says, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.”
Every person who comes through the church’s doors comes in the name of Christ. We, therefore, need to receive them like Christ. Our first impression is significant; we must consider it a call to duty.
It is not the task of only church leaders but a task for all of us. It will always be joyful when we smile, say ‘hi’ and try to engage in a conversation after Mass, and it can move the individual to visit again.
God will bring people in, but it is vital to make them feel loved, and they will stay.
Fr. Josiah.
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There is Sunday School NEXT WEEK at 11:30am-12:30pm. Please invite and encourage your children to come.
Don’t forget it’s Thursday Fun & Fellowship every Thursday. A great time to share conversation, play games and quietly get to know new people.
We’re going to move tea & coffee after mass to the rear of church in the cafe area. The tea & coffee rota isn’t getting much love at the moment so if you feel able to help please do get in touch. You’ll be able to learn how to use the espresso machine and it would be an enormous help and your gift to extending to fellowship and love of St. Anselm’s.
We are looking for volunteers to help serve food on the 2nd Thursday of each month and to learn how to operate the coffee bike. If you’d be interested in helping please speak to Fr. Matthew.
Please sign up for Parish Giving (which is a wonderful way to support St. Anselm and helps us claim more money from the government) Go to www.stanselm.co.uk/giving or call the Parish Giving Team directly on 0333 002 1271 quoting our parish number, which is: 230 623 503.