I was a stranger and you welcomed me.—Matthew 25:35
Lent, which begins March 5, is a time in our church year when people especially are seeking connection with God and with the church community.
Three times as many young adults engage in Ash Wednesday services than at other services. Churches typically see a rise in attendance during Lent, especially Holy Week, culminating with Easter, when we see our “Chreasters,” people who typically only attend on Christmas and Easter.
We, as regular church goers and clergy, are sometimes so wrapped up in the beauty and holiness of Lent—seeking our own deeper connections with God—that we may take these seekers for granted. We’re glad they’ve come, but we may fail to truly see them and help them develop the connections for which they hunger.
Most of us pursue some special Lenten devotions—to pray more, to be more intentional about the Daily Office, to form or join Lenten Bible Studies or book studies, such as one for Mary Foster Parmer’s Invite Welcome Connect book. This Lent, why not make an intentional welcoming of the stranger part of your Lenten devotions?
Pray daily that we may welcome the stranger and help them feel more deeply connected to the holy mysteries and to our communities of seekers:
God of grace and God of love, you told us that when we welcome the stranger we welcome Jesus. Help us during Lent and throughout the year to connect to those who come to us seeking you. Let your light shine through us that they might see your glory, so that they might come to know you and your community of believers, that they might find home and welcome in your home, here on Earth and forever more. We ask this in the name of your son our savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
There are many practical ways to accomplish this: Be part of Ashes to Go to reach out beyond the church walls; take time to speak with everyone who comes into your church this Lent, and be intentional in following up with them; remember that some may not understand all the intricacies of our liturgy, so make explanations from the altar or even assign guides to help people get the most from the service; invite them to any study groups or special programs your church is holding; post information in easily accessible spots for those who may not receive (or read) your newsletter.
People who have been away from church for a long time, or those who have never regularly attended church, may be nervous. They may be so concerned that they’re doing something wrong or breaking some rule that they miss the connection with God that they’re seeking. Reassure them; help them; and never look at them askew if they do something “wrong.”
The point is to be intentional, and to be prayerful, in this vital work. You may not get everything right, but the people you’re reaching out to will recognize your intention, will know that you are welcoming them and caring for them. Your care and concern will demonstrate the care and concern of God’s church for all who come to us.
Lent is a time of repentance. This year, let’s repent of treating our church as though it’s an exclusive club. The goal is not new members or new volunteers; it’s helping our community to find God through our community, to be changed by us just as we are changed by them.
This is our holy Lenten work.
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