(Radical) Welcome
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Synonyms of welcome from Merriam-Webster:
Verb
embrace, greet, enjoy
Adjective
pleasant, delightful, sweet, satisfying, heavenly
Noun
salute, salutation, greeting
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” (10:40-42)
Stanley Saunders, Faculty Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary explains that "welcoming" is at the heart of every relationship. Welcoming acts "come at a cost that surpasses food, water, and shelter. They bind those who offer welcome integrally with those who are welcomed."
Welcoming acts bind those who offer welcome with those who are welcomed. That just might be what's radical about Jesus' welcome. Not you are welcome (tolerated) here, but you are welcome (embraced and enjoyed) here. Not it's okay if you are here, but it is delightful and heavenly that you are here, that you are you.
As Pride Month comes to a close and Disability Pride Month begins (did you know that July is Disability Pride Month?), we will explore (radical) welcome and our intertwining identities.
"Who *you* are--your beautiful rainbow self of intertwining identities--you are a human bridge, fearfully and wonderfully made of the colors of hope. You are a bridge that connects people in ways that few can. You are blessed to be a blessing--*you*. LGBTQ+ you, ally you, curious questioning you. Discerning you. Faithful you. *All* of *you*. All of you, all of us." ("Fearfully and Wonderfully Made," Colors of Hope: A Devotional Journal from LGBTQ+ Christians)
In the comments, share synonyms for welcome and your experiences of welcome. Join us in person for sensory worship: you will be greeted and embraced as you are for who you are, it will be delightful to have you with us.
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What is sensory worship? We use a structured order of service with visual cues and there's room for flexibility. We welcome silence and noise, stillness and movement. Our gathering is family friendly and our families are wonderfully unique. Sensory worship is interactive, but no pressure; do what works for you. It's really something you have to experience to understand. Come and see what we're doing. Email [email protected] with questions or visit salvagegarden.org for even more about sensory worship and the mission and work of Salvage Garden.
Settle into a chair or slide onto a bean bag and make music (and sometimes a mess!) with us.
We meet on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month in the Community Center at First Lutheran Church at 10 a.m. Look for Salvage Garden yard signs at Entrance B. Entrance B is near a small playground. Greeters will open the door and doors will be locked after 10:15 a.m.
Verb
embrace, greet, enjoy
Adjective
pleasant, delightful, sweet, satisfying, heavenly
Noun
salute, salutation, greeting
In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” (10:40-42)
Stanley Saunders, Faculty Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary explains that "welcoming" is at the heart of every relationship. Welcoming acts "come at a cost that surpasses food, water, and shelter. They bind those who offer welcome integrally with those who are welcomed."
Welcoming acts bind those who offer welcome with those who are welcomed. That just might be what's radical about Jesus' welcome. Not you are welcome (tolerated) here, but you are welcome (embraced and enjoyed) here. Not it's okay if you are here, but it is delightful and heavenly that you are here, that you are you.
As Pride Month comes to a close and Disability Pride Month begins (did you know that July is Disability Pride Month?), we will explore (radical) welcome and our intertwining identities.
"Who *you* are--your beautiful rainbow self of intertwining identities--you are a human bridge, fearfully and wonderfully made of the colors of hope. You are a bridge that connects people in ways that few can. You are blessed to be a blessing--*you*. LGBTQ+ you, ally you, curious questioning you. Discerning you. Faithful you. *All* of *you*. All of you, all of us." ("Fearfully and Wonderfully Made," Colors of Hope: A Devotional Journal from LGBTQ+ Christians)
In the comments, share synonyms for welcome and your experiences of welcome. Join us in person for sensory worship: you will be greeted and embraced as you are for who you are, it will be delightful to have you with us.
--
What is sensory worship? We use a structured order of service with visual cues and there's room for flexibility. We welcome silence and noise, stillness and movement. Our gathering is family friendly and our families are wonderfully unique. Sensory worship is interactive, but no pressure; do what works for you. It's really something you have to experience to understand. Come and see what we're doing. Email [email protected] with questions or visit salvagegarden.org for even more about sensory worship and the mission and work of Salvage Garden.
Settle into a chair or slide onto a bean bag and make music (and sometimes a mess!) with us.
We meet on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month in the Community Center at First Lutheran Church at 10 a.m. Look for Salvage Garden yard signs at Entrance B. Entrance B is near a small playground. Greeters will open the door and doors will be locked after 10:15 a.m.
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Where is it happening?
First Lutheran Church, Greensboro NC, 3600 W Friendly Ave, Greensboro, NC 27410-4812, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherSalvage Garden
