St Michael’s Vicarage
Alnwick
Dear People of Alnwick,
Hardly a Sunday goes by at St. Michael’s without finding that we have
some visitors in our congregation. At 8.00am we find people on holiday who
have plans for the rest of the day but still feel it is important to be at worship.
At 9.30am there are frequent visits from folk from all over the world – many
of whom have visited St. Michael’s for a look at the architecture and heritage
of the building and felt drawn to return to experience the church at prayer. At
11.15am we often find ourselves hosting those whose breakfast arrangements
have meant that this timing is better and at 6.00pm there is a fairly regular
trickle who greatly appreciate the fact that we maintain a regular sung
Evensong when this has been abandoned by so many parish churches.
Visitors frequently comment on the welcome they receive and the
friendliness of the congregation and this is something which we should most
certainly celebrate. As people ‘pass through’ Alnwick it is good to know that
one of their lasting memories may be the good experience they had when
visiting our church.
But we should not rest on our laurels! For visitors and, perhaps more
importantly, for those newly moved into the town who are looking to put
down roots in the church, we need to be especially vigilant.
Those of us who have made St. Michael’s our spiritual home and are a
real part of the fellowship there all need to remember that being a friendly
church involves more than being friendly with those we already know!
Occasionally you will see Gerard sitting in the congregation. This mirrors
what my Training Incumbent did with me many years ago. The idea is that,
as you worship, you might just ask yourself that, if you were present for the
first time, what it would be that urged you to return, what it would be that
might make you want to make this place your spiritual home.
As Lent begins we plan to look carefully at the whole concept of
welcome. We want to celebrate all we already do in this respect but, at the
same time, reflect carefully on where we might improve.
This is certainly a part of our ministry in which we can all be involved.
People happily share the Peace with those around them – but do we allow
that to be followed up with a friendly conversation at the end of the service?
If it is people you’ve not met before, do you extend an invitation to stay for
coffee afterwards?
Please commit these thoughts to your prayers and do what you can to
extend the hand of friendship. If all commit to this then we will be able to sing
with real integrity:
‘All are welcome, all are welcome, all are welcome in this place.’
With every blessing,
Paul.
