The Welcome Team

Our Mission Action Plan of 2006-2007 highlighted the importance of offering welcome to all who come to our church of St. John the Evangelist.

One of the ways in which we hope to achieve was to bring together a group of church members to form a WELCOME TEAM at St. John’s.

The work of the Welcome Team complements that of the team of Sidesmen and women who always offer a warm greeting but who also have other duties to perform which prevent them from immediately following through any initial contact with someone who may be new to our church.

Members of the Welcome Team are able to offer help to anyone unfamiliar to our surroundings, with our services or in need of other support. This might mean help with finding somewhere to sit, using the loop system, or locating the toy bags if they have little people with them who have not yet been introduced to the creche or junior church. They offer to accompany the person to Church House for coffee, where they are be able to introduce other church members. Also, newcomers are given a Welcome Wallet if they would like one, which contains information about church activities plus a copy of the current magazine and pew sheet.

Currently, the Welcome Team focus is mainly on the 9.30 a.m. service as most new people tend to come to us via that Celebration. However, some members of the team are generally available at the other services.

All members of the Welcome Team are aware of the importance to perform their role in a sensitive and non-intrusive manner.

Team members work closely together to ensure continuity of support to newcomers until they feel at home with us.