“Most of us understand hospitality when it comes to inviting people over to our homes. We roll out the metaphorical red carpet by doing a deep clean, preparing snacks, and attending to the comfort of our guests. But more than that, we open ourselves and focus our complete attention on visitors, doing everything we can to make our home feel like theirs.

 Hospitality in your church should look similar. However you actually greet guests —with a coffee station, trained greeters, or gift bags—the key is to open your community to people by making your church home feel like theirs and initiating a relationship that will hopefully extend for years to come.”

 -Christianity Today

Hello church family!

We would like to encourage everyone and update you on the latest FIT (First Impressions Team) activities. At Central Manor we are known for being a welcoming church with a family-like feel. Those are wonderful characteristics to possess, however we need to be aware that we are continuing to keep those qualities about us. You may come into church every Sunday and feel very comfortable and welcomed, as you should. But, is it because you know a lot of people and have developed relationships with them? Put yourself in the shoes of a first time guest. They know no-one, they don’t know where anything is, including the bathrooms, the sanctuary, or the children’s classes.

Do guests feel welcomed?

As it says in the excerpt from the article above, our goal is to make each guest feel at home and develop lasting relationships with them. There are several practical ways we are actively trying to accomplish this. We have relayed the request for better signage inside and out of the building to the Creative Designs Team, which they have been working on doing. Adding guest parking spots is very helpful for visitors so please honor those spaces and leave them for the guests. We hand out mugs that we fill with our welcome packet, a pen, and chocolate bar. Currently we are looking into better quality mugs that will hold up longer. Anytime you meet someone new, even if they’ve been coming several weeks, ask them if they’ve received a mug and point them to the welcome center if they have not.

Volunteers

We have a team that greets at the main entrance doors, one that stands at the welcome center, and ushers that help pass out bulletins and man the sanctuary doors. We are continually looking for new members for our team so we can be better equipped to personally escort visitors to classes, the sanctuary, or wherever they are looking to If our team is something that peaks your interest we will be having an all-group luncheon and meeting on Sunday October 20th following the 2nd service. Just let the office know if you and your family plan to attend.

This is an important ministry and involves all hands on deck to run smoothly. We appreciate each member that faithfully commits to serving the Lord through a warm smile, a handshake, a kind welcome, or walking someone to a classroom. YOU are what make our church, a welcoming church.

Thank you!

Tony and Nicole Sahd