Episcopal Church Foundation Vestry Papers - for leading congregations

Nearly seven years ago I walked into a small Episcopal congregation and discovered what would eventually become my new spiritual home. For the sake of a good story, I’d like to say that it was love at first sight, but the truth is that I was at first bewildered by what I now view as part and parcel of being an Episcopalian. For instance, membership. And pledge cards. And the red book, blue book shuffle.

Eventually, of course, things started falling into place, but I definitely remember walking home from my initial visits with many unanswered questions. Like “What are all those pieces of paper in the collection basket?” and “Why does the priest lift up all the money at the altar?” and “What on earth is a ‘doxology’ and where is it in the hymn book?”

This is hardly a unique story. If current demographic trends are any indicator, it’s likely that more and more people like me - the nominally religious, spiritual seeker - will be walking through your red doors. How do you plan on explaining "membership" to this crowd? 
This weekend, I came across one Episcopal church’s website that would have benefited me greatly in my first few months of becoming an Episcopalian. All Saints, Carmel, CA has a great website which includes, on the upper left-hand corner of their homepage, a section called “I’m New”. This section includes:

• A clearly-written welcome message
• Information on how to join
• Ways to get involved (including a gifts discernment survey)
• General info on being an Episcopalian
• A map of the facilities
• And more info about visiting Carmel, CA

In my case, there was an unstated assumption that new visitors would eventually speak to the rector about the things they didn’t understand, but the truth of the matter is that I never did. An “I’m New” section on the website would have been of enormous help in answering many of my initial questions, and it would have offered me some immediate ways to support the church and become more involved.

Does your church’s website have a special section for new visitors?