in Vital Posts and filtered by Hospitality, Discipleship
By Melissa Rau
Melissa Rau writes our latest blog from the viewpoint of young parents who are interested in getting involved, but are ultimately turned off by their church. They are welcomed, but not welcome to change anything.
By Cathy Hornberger
This month we offer five resources on community outreach.
By Richelle Thompson
Richelle Thompson shares the story of Graeter’s ice cream’s copy editing error to make a valuable pint, uh, point, that we are quick to cast blame and slow to extend grace. This company’s act of Christian charity is an example of humility for all of us members of the “gotcha!” culture.
By Lisa G. Fischbeck
The Episcopal Church of the Advocate lost its best loved greeter and mouser this spring. Smoke the Advo-cat came initially to take care of a pernicious mouse problem but soon began to make himself an indispensable part of the church community.
By Lisa G. Fischbeck
Lisa Fischbeck figured the Memorial Day concert and cookout would be a good way for folks to experience the hospitality of the church. It also proved to be a much easier entry point for newcomers than Sunday mass.
By Charis Hill
Charis Hill grew up an abled child in the Episcopal Church, where she was an acolyte. As a young adult, she became disabled by ankylosing spondylitis and could no longer take the steps up to the chancel. As a millennial with years of ministry ahead of her, she noticed that most chancels are raised and accessible only by steps.
By Nelson Mendoza
Nelson Mendoza observes that the very popular Marie Kondo method of decluttering (keep only what sparks joy) can also be applied to individual religious practices. What we can truly take away is that the process for sparking joy is deeply personal, much like our journey for what brings us closer to God.
By Lauren Kay
Lauren Kay examines personal authenticity and the Church from a LBGTQ+ lens and finds the Church lacking in hospitality. She draws strength from the recovery community and feels that people often find more acceptance, love and welcome there than they do at Church.
By Charles Graves
Millennials have grown used to portrayals as phone-connected, disbelieving, libertine, avocado toast-eaters. Such statements are usually followed by hand-wringing pleas for more young people in the pews. As a group, we crave a church that is “Loving, Liberating and Life-Giving”. We believe in justice because we are Christians and because of our Episcopal faith. We need the Church to meet us on those grounds with relationship and understanding.
By Maria Bautista Vargas
Maria Bautista Vargas is privileged to have been supported in the church and connected to transformative leadership opportunities, but recognizes that there are many other young adults without such opportunities. Which is a shame, because in her experience young adults are eager and hungry to serve!
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