How will everyone in the community know/feel that they are welcome to worship with us? Or, said differently, What might we do to present ourselves as welcoming of people with diverse identities, or people who might be perceived as being different?
General Approach
• promoting community (rummage sale, auction, etc.)
• toot our horns
• when we do great things, we need to tell people, tell papers, tell social media, tell other churches, tell our friends
• advertise more – showing all we offer
• focus: What are we about?
• communicate that we support many causes and that we are a worshipping community
• focus on community in social media and our communications
• different communication approach: humour, cheeky
• “come and learn about us”
• research what other congregations are doing
Worship
• adapt the way we worship – when and how
• adapt to music; how to engage youth?
• drummers
• gospel choir
• storytelling
• reconsider the worship service and its formality
Individual Connection
• asking people if they are part of a faith community, with guidelines on how to ask
• personal invitations
• each congregant to ask someone to come to church with them; tell them they can come from free.
• be more open that we are members (of Port Perry United Church, the United Church…); share with friend, share with new neighbour
• create invitations to join existing groups – Church Chicks, Choir, etc.
• we need to look welcoming: smile, body language, overly (not) friendly
• ask “your name?”. “Are you new to Port?”
• we all need to be greeters
• we need to step out with extra care; call someone if they are not at church
• on the signage: “All are welcome”
• friendship host (note: since this job has traditionally meant handing out candy, the Hospitality Committee has suspended this job until the new year; they are reconsidering the history and reasoning for this role)
• welcome package: connection, website, children’s activities, gift?, diversity, what goes on.
• name tags (note: already in use)
• welcome visitors from the pulpit (note: many visitors are uncomfortable being centred out in church. The ministers have said: If you are worshipping with us for the first time, we extend a warm welcome and please take the time to introduce yourself at the door)
Welcome for All
• create a fellowship path for some types of people e.g. singles, women – social
• promote our accessibility
• become an ‘Affirming Church’
• rainbows and other symbols that indicate what we stand for
• ask diverse group how they want to be treated, invited, etc.
• open to growth
• revamp messaging to attract different people
• community or “Meet Your Neighbour” pot-lucks
• Welcome Wagon concept: list of services
• welcome package: Connection, website, children’s activities, gift?, diversity, what goes on.
Offer Learning Opportunities
• we want to go to all the different churches like the confirmands
• meditation seminars
• book readings
• become an ‘Affirming Church’
Bring the Community In
• rent gym for activities
• hold workshops/information giving that encourages the public to come (e.g. nutrition sessions for new moms) for all age groups
• presentations
• book readings
• meditation seminars
Take the Church Out
• do some event as a church but outside of the church and advertise it
• magazine – specifically support organizations, climate walk, Pride picnic
• participate in more community events – be seen (e.g., Pride picnic, bake sale for anniversary, Santa Claus parade and hot chocolate
• go into the community as opposed to asking people to come to us
Change Church Structure
• review existing church groups: siloed – is there a way to streamline?
Advertising and Social Media
• Communications Committee: understand social media, print advertising, seek free advertising, poster design, etc.; story-telling focus
• social media – increased presence
use of church sign
• sign – welcome everyone
• putting our church events on our front sign
• get an electronic sign so we can out more invitations and sayings (note: unfortunately this would not be permitted due to downtown district heritage regulations)
other signs and banners
• sandwich boards
website
• update website – modernize it and make it welcoming
• more photos on the website to increase engagement
• be clear about expectations during church service (there is a “What to Expect” under the worship tab on the church website…need to make this more visible?)
print media
• enlarge (Standard) papers ad – include welcome everyone
General Approach
• promoting community (rummage sale, auction, etc.)
• toot our horns
• when we do great things, we need to tell people, tell papers, tell social media, tell other churches, tell our friends
• advertise more – showing all we offer
• focus: What are we about?
• communicate that we support many causes and that we are a worshipping community
• focus on community in social media and our communications
• different communication approach: humour, cheeky
• “come and learn about us”
• research what other congregations are doing
Worship
• adapt the way we worship – when and how
• adapt to music; how to engage youth?
• drummers
• gospel choir
• storytelling
• reconsider the worship service and its formality
Individual Connection
• asking people if they are part of a faith community, with guidelines on how to ask
• personal invitations
• each congregant to ask someone to come to church with them; tell them they can come from free.
• be more open that we are members (of Port Perry United Church, the United Church…); share with friend, share with new neighbour
• create invitations to join existing groups – Church Chicks, Choir, etc.
• we need to look welcoming: smile, body language, overly (not) friendly
• ask “your name?”. “Are you new to Port?”
• we all need to be greeters
• we need to step out with extra care; call someone if they are not at church
• on the signage: “All are welcome”
• friendship host (note: since this job has traditionally meant handing out candy, the Hospitality Committee has suspended this job until the new year; they are reconsidering the history and reasoning for this role)
• welcome package: connection, website, children’s activities, gift?, diversity, what goes on.
• name tags (note: already in use)
• welcome visitors from the pulpit (note: many visitors are uncomfortable being centred out in church. The ministers have said: If you are worshipping with us for the first time, we extend a warm welcome and please take the time to introduce yourself at the door)
Welcome for All
• create a fellowship path for some types of people e.g. singles, women – social
• promote our accessibility
• become an ‘Affirming Church’
• rainbows and other symbols that indicate what we stand for
• ask diverse group how they want to be treated, invited, etc.
• open to growth
• revamp messaging to attract different people
• community or “Meet Your Neighbour” pot-lucks
• Welcome Wagon concept: list of services
• welcome package: Connection, website, children’s activities, gift?, diversity, what goes on.
Offer Learning Opportunities
• we want to go to all the different churches like the confirmands
• meditation seminars
• book readings
• become an ‘Affirming Church’
Bring the Community In
• rent gym for activities
• hold workshops/information giving that encourages the public to come (e.g. nutrition sessions for new moms) for all age groups
• presentations
• book readings
• meditation seminars
Take the Church Out
• do some event as a church but outside of the church and advertise it
• magazine – specifically support organizations, climate walk, Pride picnic
• participate in more community events – be seen (e.g., Pride picnic, bake sale for anniversary, Santa Claus parade and hot chocolate
• go into the community as opposed to asking people to come to us
Change Church Structure
• review existing church groups: siloed – is there a way to streamline?
Advertising and Social Media
• Communications Committee: understand social media, print advertising, seek free advertising, poster design, etc.; story-telling focus
• social media – increased presence
use of church sign
• sign – welcome everyone
• putting our church events on our front sign
• get an electronic sign so we can out more invitations and sayings (note: unfortunately this would not be permitted due to downtown district heritage regulations)
other signs and banners
• sandwich boards
website
• update website – modernize it and make it welcoming
• more photos on the website to increase engagement
• be clear about expectations during church service (there is a “What to Expect” under the worship tab on the church website…need to make this more visible?)
print media
• enlarge (Standard) papers ad – include welcome everyone
