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The Role of the Welcoming Elder
Along with the Greeting Elder, the Welcoming Elder’s vital ministry of hospitality is one of welcoming the congregation and, in particular, its visitors. The Welcoming Elder stands just inside the doorway, near the name tags and guest book, encouraging the congregation to make use of the name tags. A simple way to identify those who are visiting the congregation is to ask those entering if they have a name tag. If the visitor does not have a name tag the Welcoming Elder may enquire if she/he is attending worship with University Hill for the first time. If the answer is “yes”, the Welcoming Elder assists in making a temporary name-tag. If the answer is “no” the Welcoming Elder assists in making a temporary name-tag and adds the guest’s name to the sheet requesting a permanent name tag (these tags are made each week in the office and are available on the following Sunday).
Then those visiting for the first time are invited to add their name to the congregation’s guest book. Each first-time visitor is offered one of the congregation’s “Welcome Handbags” with welcoming gifts and information about the congregation’s life. As well, the Welcoming Elder asks visitors if they have paid for parking in a neighbouring UBC parking lot and, if so, offers four dollars to cover the cost of parking (two dollar coins are kept in the congregation’s cupboard in the vestry in the top drawer of the filing cabinet). The Welcoming Elder then invites the visitor into the Chapel, pointing out the location of the washrooms and making sure that they receive a copy of the order of service and of the hymn book from the Greeting Elder.
The Welcoming Elder may find opportunities both before and following the service to introduce visitors to members of the congregation and of its ministry team. During the service the Welcoming Elder sits in a location near the Chapel entrance so that she/he is available to welcome those who arrive during the service. The Welcoming Elder also makes a point of watching for any who may leave early, wishing them God’s blessing before they depart. When worship concludes the Welcoming Elder seeks out visitors, making sure that each one is invited to join in the conversation and refreshments that follow.
The Role of the Greeting Elder
The importance of the ministry of the Greeting Elder is often underestimated. The Greeter works along with the Welcoming Elder at the entrance to the Chapel to extend hospitality to each person who enters the worshiping community. In this brief exchange much is communicated. First impressions of the congregation are made in the moments when newcomers and visitors arrive for their initial experience of the congregation’s life. Those who are well established members of the congregation arrive in varying states of well-being. All are being welcomed into Christ’s church, beloved guests in the household of God’s kingdom come. The greeting elder and the welcoming elder are crucial agents of this holy welcome.
We hope that the ministry of greeting can be undertaken by a wide variety of members of the congregation - men and women, children, youth and adults. We encourage the Greeting Elder to arrive at the Chapel early - no later than 10:00 am and to stand or sit next to the small table outside the door to the Chapel. Be sure that the printed Orders of Service are out on the table along with a number of Bibles for those who may wish to make use of one. As the congregation enters the Chapel focus attention on each person. A warm smile and eye contact along with a genuine welcome is extended to each person - child and adult. Offer a copy of the Order of Service to each person (some may wish to share). It is good to offer children their own copy of the Order of Service so that they, too, feel the full welcome of the congregation. Hymn books are kept in the book rack just inside the Chapel door. Greeters may wish to keep copies of the Hymn book on hand to give out with each copy of the Order of Service. It may be wise to invite another person to assist with greeting, particularly during the time when most are arriving (between 10:25 and 10:35 am). Remain at the greeting table until the gathering time and community announcements are coming to a close (at approximately 10:40 am).
As the Greeting Elder welcomes the congregation to worship she/he invites four people to act as Offering Elders during the service of worship. It is good to invite a variety of people to undertake this simple but important ministry.