HELLO! 

Do you remember Bethe’s idea of a SHINE! event after church? This video may remind you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWPGmChciKc She had the Hall filled with tables, each one had one or two people representing a ministry of our church; UCW, the Choir, the funeral ministry, to name three. After Sunday worship, everyone was invited to walk around the tables, examine the literature, talk to the persons behind the table (who would answer questions) and give people a chance to consider how God was calling them to exercise their gifts in our community of faith. It went remarkably well. Many of our ministries picked up a lot of new members (UCW in particular). Only then did we hear this kind of event had been offered at Woodlawn in the past, but it had been a long time since. Bethe was her usual dedicated, interested, and caring self, wandering around the Hall, talking interested members (new and familiar) and those standing/sitting behind the tables. Well, Bethe is doing it again, SHINE 2.0 will take place on Sunday, September 27^th after our worship service ends. We hope you can SHINE with us.

I am attaching this promotional photo and promotion from our choir. In 36 years in ministry the single most effective way to get to know people in a church is the choir. Nothing else is close. Being in the choir gives you access to 30+ people, practice weekly (Thursday nights), join together before church to go over the hymns/anthems and sit together during the sermon and pass notes like “when is he going to stop talking” and “why does he have to turn around and look at us, I have to stay awake”). Many friendships have blossomed in the choir. And you get to work with the creative and talented Gus and the equally skilled June who brings such passion and joy you want to be part of whatever she envisions.

One aspect of “recruitment” I have specialized in, honed my gifts of hospitality and welcome, is a) having paper available in the Entry Way or the pews that gives people a chance to indicate what ministry they would like to participate in, b) to remind people of this opportunity during announcements every week (new people are present every Sunday), c) to call/email/text to the person that very day, usually as soon as the last person has shaken my hand at the door, before I head down for coffee hour. I ask the person if they would like to meet and discuss their involvement with our church, at a coffee shop (my treat), my office or somewhere else they are comfortable (like their kitchen). When people are “church shopping” they typically go to 3+ churches, to kick the tires, how does it “feel” to be there, are the people friendly, did the worship time inspire me, feed me, did I feel God’s presence? Having someone from the church contact them minutes after they got in their car to go home, does leave an impression. They also get to ask their questions during the visit we have. The next Sunday they arrive I can introduce them to the person who is coordinating the ministry they are keen on.

Whether you are relatively new to Woodlawn or have worshipped with us or decades there is a place for you to serve, to find community.

SHINE! Peace, Kevin