My conversion story to Unitarian Universalism is about the power of hospitality. When I was 11 years old, my family was looking for a new church. We had been Episcopalians, but my mother suspected the Unitarian Universalist church might be a better fit. I was ready to try something new because the girls in my old church’s Sunday school class were not very friendly.
When I walked into the new Sunday school classroom on my first day, I knew right away that this would be different. There was a place ready for me at the table. The teacher welcomed me in. Another kid said to me, “We’re learning to make stained glass. Do you want to do this with us?”
That gesture of hospitality won me over. I did want to make stained glass, even if I didn’t know it before that moment; the warm welcome I received made a space for me among the youth of the church. That story reminds me of the power of hospitality in church, especially on Sunday mornings.
My friend the Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray took a long break from parish ministry to serve Unitarian Universalism as our president at the national level. During her national service, when her ministry was mostly leadership and fundraising, she said she missed Sunday mornings with a church most of all. “I signed up to throw a party every week!” she said. She first made this comment to me during the pandemic, and I knew exactly how she felt. The best part about church is opening our doors to worship together every Sunday.
Susan is serving a congregation again this year, and I’m just back from my sabbatical. We’ve both had time to think about how we want to approach our work as parish ministers. And we’ve both come to the conclusion that the focus of Sunday mornings is hospitality. It’s a day when the church opens its doors and invites everyone to the party. How can we be welcoming and hospitable to all?
One way I plan to do that this year is by spending my time after our church service talking to people during coffee hour and leading programs that are open to everyone. I’ll have a UU 101 class monthly and a Spiritual Practices class monthly. I’ll be available to meet and welcome new people. My goal is to be an excellent host.
This Sunday is a chance for all of us to practice hospitality. It’s our Open House, our Opportunity Fair, and there’s a special presentation especially for children in Unity Hall at noon. It’s a great Sunday to bring a friend, and a great Sunday to welcome new people. Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know. Ask someone about themselves. Share what you love about our church. These are all ways to welcome newcomers, this Sunday and every Sunday.
A church community is not just about the spiritual experience during the service. It’s not just the beauty of the music or the depth of the prayer. A church is its people. During the pandemic, when we could not gather at our meetinghouse, we were still the church, dispersed as we were. Our connections sustained us. Sunday mornings are our opportunity to offer that connection and welcome to new people who want to join us.
I’m still connected to some of the youth and families I met that first Sunday at my family’s Unitarian Universalist church in Michigan. When I worship there, I still feel welcomed. Good hospitality makes a difference, and lasts a long time. Let’s be as welcoming as we can as a church every Sunday morning. Everyone is invited to the party!
