Hospitality and The importance of community building
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Transcript of Hospitality and The importance of community building
Hospitality and
The importance of community building
Margo TruettPastoral AssistantSt. Anne Church, Columbus, GA
Agenda
Share your ideas!
1DEFINE!
2Importance of Hospitality
and Community
Building
3Present
concrete ideas
One who receives God’s gifts gratefully, cherishes and tends
them in a responsible and accountable manner,
shares them with justice and love with others, and
returns them with increase to the Lord.
Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response A Pastoral Letter on Stewardship
USCCB.org
Stewardship
It is not about…
giving because the Church has needs
getting people to fill our ministries
fulfilling some obligation to avoid guilt
keeping up with our neighbors
Stewardship
It is about…understanding everything is a Gift from Godknowing that God has given us these gifts for which to carebeing aware that He expects us to generously share these gifts out of gratitude!
Stewardship
Stewardship
1 You gotta SHARE!
God has a plan for YOU!
It’s all God’s anyway!
It’s all God’s anyway!
St. Anne Catholic Church
• Began in 1961• Located in Columbus, GA• Over 1900 households• 990 families with children• Pre-K - 12 school
Stewardship began 1986First Stewardship Council established in 1990Stewardship process
Treasure renewal in NovemberTime & Talent in SpringOngoing processes throughout the year
Our History of Stewardship
Building Community
Welcome/Hospitality
Community Hospitality
Engagement
Stewardship is the vehicle for all this!
Building Community
Hospitality
the first step to
Welcome/Hospitality
HospitalityThe quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way. Dictionary.com
HospitalityHospitality is not an option.One of the pillars of stewardshipWe are called to follow the way ofChristThe CHURCH’S Primary Mission: The great commission: Matthew 28:19-20
What elements of hospitality exist in your parish today?
Ideas for Hospitality
Take a look at your parishAdequate signageParking
Parking attendants“Church Caddies”
Kiosk in vestibule/narthex
Ideas for HospitalityBe welcoming
GreetersWelcome MinistryWelcome desk
Visitors’ bookContact everyone within one week of first visit
Ideas for HospitalityWelcome letter and stewardship materials sent out immediatelyParish Council call to welcomeNew parishioners’ receptionsWelcome new parishioners in bulletin monthlyPostcards inviting new parishioners to Ministry Fair
Building Community
Engagement
the second step to
Engagement
EngagementTo attract and hold fastTo become involvedTo bind, as by pledge Dictionary.com
Believing does not necessarily lead to belonging,
but belonging can lead to believing!
Growing an Engaged ChurchBy Albert Winseman
What elements are in your parish today to help get people engaged?
Everyone in parish invited
Meaningful to individual
Ongoing, ever-learning, never-ending process
We, as Church, are called tobe facilitators
Engagement
Everyone must be invited!
Know your parish community
Parish database
Update it frequently
Frequently review and communicate parish statistics
Engagement
Everyone must be invited!
Organize a Stewardship Development Group
Pastor, parish staff representative, and parish lay membersHave representation of ALL of your parishClear roles and expectationsNeed rotation of members
Engagement
Stewardship as an ongoing process
Clearly define your mission and vision
Define your parish stewardship process
Realistic goals
Organize a parish stewardship calendar
Provide opportunities for people to get involved using their unique gifts
Engagement
Stewardship as an ongoing process
Communicate effectively
Current communication tools: bulletin, e-newsletter, website, emails, kiosk, facebook, twitter, bulletin boards
Educate about stewardship everywhere!
Report results and updates of your process
Stewardship:
A way of life!
Engagement
Stewardship as an ongoing processDevelop and nurture your leaders
Identify leaders in your parishAsk how they are currently being reachedProvide opportunities for spiritual formation, ongoing stewardship education, and personal development
Retreats Tap in to existing meetings and groups
Engagement
Stewardship as an ongoing process
Evaluate and continue the cycle!
Learn from your experiences
Keep on keeping on
Keep it fresh!
Engagement
Building Community
Community Hospitality
the third step to
Community Hospitality
'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for
you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you fed me,
I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,I needed clothes and you clothed me,
I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.‘
Matthew 25:34-36
Community Hospitality
What elements of community hospitality exist in your parish today?
Ideas for Community HospitalityHost community-building events!Encourage parishioners to speak to those around at Mass
Introduce to new parishionersEncourage development of new ministriesPosters around parish reminding others to be welcoming
Ideas for Community HospitalityUse all of your communication tools to educate about importance of hospitalityFrequent homilies about importance of being a welcoming communityOffer parish training sessions about hospitality
Ideas for Community Hospitality
There is always the danger that we may just do the work
for the sake of the work. This is where the respect and the love and
the devotion come in – that we do it to God,
to Christ, and that's why we try to do it
as beautifully as possible. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Thank you and may God continue to
bless you on your stewardship
journey
Stewardship: A Disciple’s ResponseUSCCB.orgStewardship: Disciples RespondA Practical Guide for Pastoral LeadersOur Sunday Visitor (OSV.com)Company’s Comingby Richard J. McCorryWhen They Come Homeby Melanie Rigney andAnna M. Lanave
ResourcesInviting Catholics Homeby Sally L. MewsBeyond the First Visitby Gary L. McIntoshVIDEO: What Visitors See!By Gary L. McIntoshchurchgrowthnetwork.com