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