Welcoming Ministries at First United Methodist Church
What is the Welcoming Ministries Action Group? The Welcoming Ministries Action Group is composed of 12 Ministry Teams. Each of these teams, under the guidance of a Team Leader, is responsible for one component of our ministry of hospitality. The teams meet on an “as called” basis, with some teams meeting more regularly than others for information, training, and the planning & implementing of the team's ministry. The Team Leaders meet with the Welcoming Ministry Action Group Coordinator and the Staff Liaisons, Lead Pastor Paul Akin and Membership Secretary Liz Swanton, on a monthly basis, usually on the 2 nd Tuesday on the month @ 5:30 p.m. The overall goal of the Welcoming Ministries Action Group and its Teams is to put a human face and a welcoming touch to our ministries of hospitality.
What are the Welcoming Ministries Action Teams?
Awareness Ministries: Through the church's website, press releases, newspaper and yellow pages advertising, radio and television spots, bulletin boards and other media, this Team seeks to enable the broader community to become aware of the ministries of First United Methodist Church and to invite newcomers to visit our church as our guests.
Greeters Ministries: Putting a human face on our welcoming ministries, Greeters, located at all the entries of the church, welcome all who are attending worship. In addition, Greeters serve to assist newcomers with the making of a name tag, as well as helping them to find Sunday School classrooms or other areas in the church.
Visitor Information Personnel (V.I.P. Team): Members of this team watch for any newcomers or guests who may be sitting close to where they are seated in worship. During the “Greeting Time” and after worship our V.I.P. members make a special point of personally welcoming our guests to worship, as well as answering any questions our guests may have about our church and making a point of introducing them to members of our staff and congregation. In addition, members of our V.I.P. Team may accompany our guests to the Welcome Center or invite them to one of our Fellowship Times.
Fellowship Hour: Following each Service of Worship a time of refreshment and fellowship is held in Fellowship Hall. Members of this team are responsible for serving those who attend this important time of community building and sharing.
Welcome Center: All newcomers and guests are invited to the Welcome Center , located in the church's Narthex. Here they receive a free gift and information about the life and ministries of our church. Members of this team are responsible for staffing the Welcome Center as well as assembling the information to be distributed to our guests.
Telephone Follow-Up: Once a newcomer or guest has shared their contact information with us, members of the Telephone Follow-Up Team make a “Be brief, Be bright, Be gone” telephone call, welcoming the guest to our church, answering any questions they may have, and inviting them to share with us in worship again soon. Following the calls, any requests for further information is shared with the church's Membership Secretary.
“Meet the Staff” Newcomer Orientation: Once a quarter, or more often as needed, newcomers are invited to a “Meet the Staff” Orientation Session where they learn more about First United Methodist Church and are introduced to the Church's Ministry Staff and to our “Belong Before You Join” process. Members of this team assist in providing and serving the snack supper and in providing other support.
“Faith Friends”: Having attended the Orientation Session, newcomers are matched with a church member or family who serve as their “Faith Friends.” The “Faith Friends” serve to help the newcomer feel “at home” in our congregation by greeting them on Sunday mornings, checking in with them from time to time, and by inviting them to share in activities that are taking place at the church. Members of this team recruit, train and assign the “Faith Friends” to their respective newcomer families.
New Member Class/Brunch: Once the “Belong Before You Join” process is completed, those newcomers wishing to become a member of the church, along with their “Faith Friends,” are invited to attend a New Member Class and Brunch, typically served during the 9:15 a.m. hour, before they are received as New members during the 10:30 a.m. Koinonia Service. Members of this team provide and serve the brunch and provide other support.
Name Tags: Members of this Team will periodically straighten and “re-alphabetize” the permanent Name Tag racks, working with the Membership Secretary to add or remove tags as is appropriate.
Pictorial Directory: These Team Members coordinate the publishing of the church's Pictorial Directories, usually undertaken on a three to four year basis.
Worship Attendance Care Team: Members of this team work with the Membership Secretary in reviewing the worship attendance of the church's members, contacting those who have not attended for 4 weeks or more, seeking to express concern and to pass on to the pastoral care team any needs that have been shared.
How To Get Involved: If you feel called to share your gifts and talents in our Ministry of Hospitality by joining one of our Welcoming Ministry Action Teams, you may indicate your interest by Filling Out a Ministry Menu Form, available in the Narthex, and placing it in the receptacle that is provided. Please indicate clearly the Team on which you would like to serve. Or, telephone or email the Church Office to indicate your willingness to serve in this important ministry of hospitality. Please contact Rev. Paul Akin @ 338.2857 X105; pastor-paul@icfirstchurch.org or Liz Swanton @ 338.2857; liz-swanton@icfirstchurch.org