It is human nature to gravitate toward the familiar. But the ministry of Invite Welcome Connect calls us to something more—to see the stranger in the room as Christ himself, and to make sure that every person who walks through our doors experiences belonging, not just a pleasant smile on the way out.

Summer is still in full swing, but September is closer than it feels. Once Labor Day passes, schedules will fill back in, programs will ramp back up, and Sundays will start filling in again. For many congregations, fall is the single most important season for welcoming newcomers—and your Invite Welcome Connect team will be at the center of making it count. The weeks between Labor Day and All Saints' Day represent a remarkable window of opportunity. People who have been away—w