Instructors: Ken Fredeen and Jenn Gingras, members of Monroe Congregational Church, United Church of Christ
“It is only human supremacy, which is as unacceptable as racism and sexism, which makes us afraid of being more inclusive.”
- Ingrid Newkirk, British activist
“I don't believe inclusion is a value in itself. Welcome is. We welcome people into the Church, we say: 'You can come in, and that decision will change you.' We don't say: 'Come in and we ask no questions.' I do believe conversion means conversion of habits, behaviors ideas, and emotions. The boundaries are determined by what it means to be loyal to Jesus Christ.”
- Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury
Scripture References
On Welcoming: Luke 9:11, 9:48; Matthew 10:14, 10:41; Acts 28.2; Romans 15:7
On Hospitality: Romans 12.13; Hebrews 13.2
On Inclusiveness: Romans 11:12
For your contemplation…Welcoming Others
In the United Church of Christ, and at Monroe Congregational Church in particular, many of us have been talking about what it means to be a people of “extravagant welcome”. Our extravagant welcome grew organically out of the five historic commitments of the United Church of Christ: We are a united and uniting church, we are a multiracial and multicultural church, we are a church accessible to all, we are an open and affirming church, and a peace with justice church. On the UCC website, we read of one layperson’s love for her church:
“Welcoming, witnessing and being 'totally present' for myself and for others have shown me a joy which I now know is God's extravagant welcome. As others come to find their own special gifts, the miracles will continue to increase in ways which are yet to be told. I came to believe. This is a place where dreams are coming true.”
Each of these historic commitments of the wider church is reflected by how we enact it in the local setting. As a former deacon (Ken) and associate pastor (Jenn), we consider the welcome of new folks among us to be an important part of fulfilling the purpose and vision of our church. Every Sunday the members of the church earnestly do their best to make people feel at home, by greeting at the door, wearing nametags, being as clear as possible about upcoming events in our print and verbal communications, and letting parents of young children know that in our programs their family will be safe. We encourage newcomers to join us in fellowship, education, outreach and leadership positions. Judging by the number of people that consider themselves part of our “church family,” it seems like we’ve got the “welcoming” part of being a UCC church down to a science.
We at MCC promise nearly every week in worship when we say our church covenant that we promise “all that we are and all that we have to the fulfillment of God’s Kingdom”. And so, each week we welcome folks not only to church, to worship, to Sunday school, to Strawberry Festival, but into our community, to take part in the transformation of self and others, who will, in turn, transform the world. We can look to the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 5, verse 3-11 for the vision of God’s Kingdom, the world as we know it turned upside down, towards which we strive:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.”
If we are striving toward becoming “ever closer” to the very realm of God on earth, and if we seek to have but a humble portion of it in our community, try reading the above Beatitudes replacing “Blessed are” with “Welcome.” Does this give us a better idea of what we should be doing, what we should value in others, whom we should be more welcoming to as a Christ-centered community?
For your contemplation…Including Others
Is welcoming someone just the act of making sure they are invited to the party? Is it merely good hospitality? If the church is really interested in being an inclusive (rather than an exclusive) gathering of God’s children, does that compel us to go beyond acts of hospitality and attitudes of welcome? We believe that the gospel requires us to be clear in our invitation, and to go out of our way to love and accept those who seek a connection with God through our community. The term we often hear in ‘church-speak’ is inclusion.
But what does inclusion really mean? What are the consequences? UCC ONA ads about exclusion are not about some churches being unwelcoming, it’s about them being exclusive. They are meant to point out the inclusive nature of our UCC churches.
To be an inclusive body includes both inviting and accepting. It’s a bit more proactive than a mere invitation. An inclusive church is similar to one concept of grace which states: God’s grace doesn’t happen without our acceptance.
For your contemplation….Embracing Others
Embracing – beyond welcome and inclusion! A metaphorical hug! Not necessarily approving or agreeing, but loving nonetheless. Who do you hug? What are the differences in the relationships you have with people who you hug? What are the similarities?
OK, by now perhaps you are frustrated by the highly philosophical and indirect nature of this study. On this blog we’ve avoided, on purpose, debate about MCC becoming an “Open & Affirming” church. We have not pulled out the many scriptural references which we might argue and debate about. Our approach has been that it is not in the church’s best interests to pick a fight – especially in a small group format. We ARE interested in continuing the dialogue about what it means to truly be a welcoming, hospitable and inclusive church. Let's talk about it.
Definitions
Welcoming: Adjective, to greet, receive, or entertain (another or others) cordially or hospitably
Hospitality: Noun, the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way
Inclusiveness: Noun, the act of including; enclosing; embracing others
ONA: "Shorthand" for Open and Affirming, the designation for congregations, campus ministries, and other bodies in the United Church of Christ which make public statements of welcome into their full life and ministry to persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Questions for Reflection & Discussion
1. What work still needs to be done in our church so that it is truly welcoming and accepting to all people, regardless of ability, class, ethnicity, age, gender, etc.,?
2. Is there anything about the term “open & affirming” that concerns you? What have been your anxiety, fear, or questions?
3. How has your life of faith been affected by people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT)? When have you experienced the presence of Christ through LGBT people of faith?
4. What is your hope for the church as it relates to welcoming all people of faith?
Resources
The Open and Affirming Movement in the United Church of Christ http://www.ucc.org/lgbt/ona.html
What Matters: We Are People of God’s Extravagant Welcome
http://www.uccvitality.org/we-are-people-of-extravagant-welcome/we-are-people-of-gods-extravagant-welcome.html
