Grab a coffee/ tea/ or other comforting beverage.
A question to begin: When do you feel welcome?
What elicits that warm, relaxed, weight removing felling?
When do you feel you can be truly you?
Picture the place, the people, the circumstances.
…and sit with them for a little while.
I can think of two places where I always feel welcome (that aren’t home). The first is the Northumbria Community mother house in Felton. From the first time I went there I had a startling feeling of being unburdened as I walked through the door, even when I had not been there before and didn’t know anyone. It has continued every time I’ve been there. The second is our friends. Darren and Lisa’s, house. When we visit, we cook, watch films, walk, and be.
What were you places and people and why? Beachcomber is also a welcome place for me. I can be just – me. My thoughts and beliefs are heard. I know everyone doesn’t agree with me, but… I am welcome.
From what I’ve read a biblical view of welcome is two-fold. There is idea of an honoured guest who is welcomed with the best of things. The fatted calf, the food which is reserved for the weddings and parties, the best wine. And there is the stranger who is treated like one of the family. I wonder if either of these resonate more with you. Certainly, I prefer to be welcomed as if I was one of the family – but don’t hold back on the best wine if you have some 😉
How do you welcome? The Northumbria Community speak about vulnerability and generosity. To welcome is to be both we open our hearts, homes, and resources and we give without thought of cost. How could that definition change your welcome?
Photo Challenge: Take a picture of something inspired by the word Welcome. Use the hashtag #woryem
Welcome
Welcome in
Welcome home
Welcome
You are welcome
Stop for a moment
Know that you can be who you are here, today
We are a community of faith.
Strandlopers on a journey.
There is welcome in this season of advent
By God’s grace we go.
Amen
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash
I’ve been a member of BCFX for about 2 years. I love it. It’s home and hearth, welcome and challenge, ebb and flow.