Spiritual Hospitality: How do Seekers find us?
Does your meeting:
- have a phone with a clear message, and forwarding number?
- a web site (updated frequently)?
- provide paid advertisements in local media for regular or special events?
- designate a person to handle regular public relations/publicity efforts?
- have a visible, clear, night-lighted meeting sign?
- have directional roadside signs directing drivers to your meeting?
- participate in local inter-faith events and provide information i.e. booths at fairs, festivals, etc.?
- host community events such as music, issue-oriented or holiday programs, historic and school tours?
How do we welcome Seekers?
Do your meeting’s practices include:
- greeters who invite questions about Friends?
- pamphlets explaining Friends worship practices?
- members who invite visitors to sit during worship with them on the first few visits?
- a member who introduces visitors to the meeting? (or are visitors called on to introduce themselves?)
- refreshments at which visitors are warmly invited and introduced?
- a guest book?
- Name tags for both visitors and members?
- First Day School and child-care programs?
- “Friendly Eights” or similar opportunities? Intergenerational activities?
How do we appear to Seekers?
Is your meeting’s:
- outward appearance inviting, safe, clean, well lighted, and neatly landscaped with a clear, visible sign?
- interior welcoming, clean, well lighted, and in good repair?
- Meeting for Worship space clean and in good repair?
How do we share our faith?
Does your meeting:
- provide periodic educational sessions for new attenders? have a “seeker’s kit” with brochures or other materials about the Religious Society of Friends?
- after a time, offer a copy of Faith and Practice to the visitor?
- have a card for visitors explaining unprogrammed Friends’ worship?
- have a library shelf marked clearly for new attenders?