Pew Greeters are all about...

 

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)

 

Sometime last year we started an exercise in vestry meetings called, "Someone New, Someone Missing," where we have a conversation to introduce names of people we have met and names of those people we have not seen for a while.  They are not always the names that are the newest people to come to Grace or the person who is out sick.  They can just as easily be simply someone new to you and someone you have not seen and others have.

 

Several years ago Charles Wells and I went to a seminar together where the speaker introduced a concept called, "Pew Greeters." The idea is really quite simple.  Folks (that is many of you all) sitting in the pews are invited to pay attention to who is sitting around them.  Do you see a first time worshiper? Is there someone around you who is new to you? Have you ever found yourself realizing that you have not seen so-and-so for a while? With this information in your head you make sure that you are the one to greet that new face.  You might even be the one to pick up the phone or email or text or Facebook message the people you have not seen for a while and inquire as to how they are or what they might need.  You could even take a moment to introduce people to other folks and/or tell others about the people you have not seen.

 

Pew Greeters.  What an easy concept. Many of you already do this. You have your regular pew or at least a section that you sit in most of the time. You know you do ;).

 

Jesus was a radical kind of guy. He spoke to and reached out to all kinds of people.  Jesus was not willing to let someone be a stranger for long. And we know that there are lots of bible passages about looking for the lost.

 

Christian Community is about caring for one another and doing as Jesus would do. Join me and the staff and other parishioners in the ministry of pew greeters.

-Shawn

Last year we had a very successful garden tea party in honor of the Queen.  This year we have been bouncing around the idea of doing a fundraiser that draws on the popularity of the show Downton Abbey.  

Ministries at Grace Church are lived out by the faithful leadership of staff, vestry and members of the congregation.  The vestry has just signed up to be liaisons for ministry areas of our church (see the Strategic Plan for the main categories).  

In the next few months we will be concentrating on getting a few teams/committees up and running:  Property and Newcomers.  If you are interested in serving on the Property Team, please contact Shawn Schreiner or Mark Woodworth.  If you would like to serve on the Newcomers Team, please contact Shawn Schreiner or Chuck Tupta.

The vestry and Shawn would like to invite all of you who are currently leading a ministry to our next vestry meeting on Tuesday, May 21st at 7PM in the Parish Hall.  No fear, it will not really be a formal meeting.  Instead it will be a meal and time to meet the vestry members who are liaisons for your area and a time to get to know each other.  We will have some discussions about our life together and continue the amazing journey of being disciples of Christ.  

Grace Episcopal Church

ATTN: Douglas VanHouten

924 Lake Street

Oak Park, IL  60301

You're invited to a Spring Tea on Saturday, May 18, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. at United Lutheran Church, Ridgeland and Greenfield, Oak Park. Enjoy tea, sandwiches, sweets and music while you learn about New Moms Inc., a Chicago-based agency that enables, empowers and equips at-risk adolescent parents and their children. No RSVP is needed, and the event is free. You are invited to bring a gift for New Moms Inc. Suggested items include crib sheets, receiving blankets and clothes (Newborn to 5T). Check out the wish list at newmomsinc.org for additional ideas. For more information, visit unitedlutheranchurch.org.