A Radical Welcome
On the first Sunday in December, I will be co-leading a worship service with the
Membership Committee. A few months ago, the membership committee began
learning together about the concept of radical hospitality and what
implementing such a practice could do for ourselves and for our church.
What we have discovered, so far, is the potential for an amazing
journey of love and transformation. Radical hospitality is about
extending a radical welcome to ourselves, to God, to Love, to our
friends and neighbors, and to strangers. Radical hospitality is about
an inner journey of transformation which allows us to let go of
expectations and attachments and, instead, welcome in Life and Love in
all that it actually is rather than what we would hope it to be. And,
yes, radical hospitality is about welcoming in the stranger and
anticipating and providing for needs which are yet unknown.
Curious about how it is actually done? I hope you will join us for
worship on the 4th or for any of the follow-up programs the membership
committee will be hosting throughout the rest of the year. Look for
opportunities to join in with a brainstorming session on the 18th or
the “Seuss in the Sanctuary” Open Mike and Potluck in January. Other
potential programs include a congregational role-play and a
reading/practice group based on the book "Hospitality, the Sacred Art."
I feel grateful for the opportunity to work with a congregation which
has already done so much in the way of preparing to welcome the
stranger and I’m excited to be joining you on the journey through the
next stages, especially during this season of waiting and wonder.
In faith,
Lara.
