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2018 Workshops









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10 Tips for Helping Newcomers Connect to Your Church Community
Discover 10 practical, people-centered tips to help your church welcome, connect, and retain newcomers—turning first-time visitors into fully engaged members of your congregation.
4 days ago2 min read


Six Ways to Grow Volunteer Ministry, and What it Can Do for your Church
These tips and tools were developed by our friends at TENS: The Episcopal Network for Stewardship. For more ideas on how to encourage...
Jul 112 min read


Invite Welcome Connect at Wild Goose Festival
Invite Welcome Connect Executive Director will present at the Wild Goose Festival in Harmony, North Carolina, Aug. 28–31 We're thrilled...
Jun 301 min read


Summer Tune-Up: Making Your Church Guest-Ready for the Fall
Summer in the church can be slow. Meetings taper off, pews thin out, the calendar lightens. For many congregations, it’s a season of rest.
But what if it could also be a season of reflection and renewal?
Jun 273 min read


Invite Welcome Connect Summer Reading List
A list of books and resources to help you enhance your personal theology of evangelism, hospitality, and belonging.
Jun 272 min read


Central Florida Embraces Invite Welcome Connect
Join Steve Welch and Archdeacon Julie Altenbach as they discuss how the Diocese of Central Florida is embracing Invite Welcome Connect. Learn how lay and clergy leaders are using workshops, online training, and shared vision to foster deeper hospitality, discipleship, and connection across the diocese.
Jun 104 min read


Crafting a Vision for Long-Term Ministry Success
Developing a clear vision is vital for any ministry aiming for long-lasting impact. An effective ministry vision not only provides a...
Jun 24 min read


Invite Welcome Connect with Pride
Resources for LGBTQ+ Inclusion for Pride and Beyond By Steve Welch, Executive Director Invite Welcome Connect has added an LGBTQ+...
May 296 min read


Practices to Foster a Welcoming Church Environment
Creating a welcoming church environment is essential for fostering community and encouraging growth in faith. As churches continue to...
May 274 min read


Supercharge Your Welcome with “Plan Your Visit!”
Visiting a church for the first time can feel like crashing someone else's family reunion!
May 233 min read


Discover the Power of Radical Welcome: Join Us in Memphis for an Invite Welcome Connect Workshop!
Are you ready to transform your congregation’s approach to evangelism, hospitality, and belonging? Whether you're a seasoned church...
May 222 min read


Welcome Our Newest On-Demand Subscribers
Invite Welcome Connect ® On Demand became available on Jan.1, with unlimited access subscriptions available at the congregation and...
May 222 min read


Meet Your New Ministry Companion: Our Invite Welcome Connect Virtual Assistant
Our Virtual Assistant has been trained using the full text of the Invite Welcome Connect website as well as Mary Foster Parmer’s book, Invite Welcome Connect: Stories & Tools to Transform Your Church. That means it knows the ins and outs of the ministry.
May 202 min read


Invite Welcome Connect: The Journey So Far
Invite Welcome Connect is an invitation to courageous, hope-filled leadership. It is a call to let go of outdated models and embrace a new way of being Church—relational, generous, creative, and faithful.
May 204 min read


Strengthening Bonds Within Faith Communities
Faith communities play a crucial role in fostering connections, personal growth, and spiritual development. They serve as a foundation...
May 124 min read


Creating Spaces That Welcome and Empower Everyone
Inclusive spaces are designed to embrace diversity, ensuring that individuals from all backgrounds, abilities, and perspectives feel valued and respected. Such spaces consider various factors, from physical accessibility to cultural representation. The goal is to create a setting where everyone can engage comfortably and productively.
May 63 min read


Diocese of Newark Hosts Invite Welcome Connect Workshop, Subscribes to On Demand Resources
Parmer, a nationally recognized leader in church renewal, guided participants through the core components of Invite Welcome Connect—a ministry designed to help congregations deepen relationships, foster inclusivity, and grow spiritually and numerically. The workshop emphasized practical strategies for engaging newcomers, nurturing community, and empowering members to share their faith stories.
Apr 162 min read


How Episcopal Churches Can Embrace Visitors During Holy Week and Easter
Holy Week and Easter are not only the heart of the Christian liturgical year—they are also among the most likely times a visitor will step foot into an Episcopal church.
Apr 154 min read


The Essential Role of Clergy in Invite Welcome Connect
Mary Foster Parmer—the Founder and Creator of Invite Welcome Connect—recently released simple guidelines. These guidelines help clergy...
Apr 113 min read


Understanding the Power of Visual Prayer Practices
In a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming, many are seeking solace in spiritual practices that provide calmness and...
Apr 74 min read
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