Radical Hospitality

 I was excited to hear that we achieved our goal of procuring enough volunteers to hold our annual garage sale. 

Thank you to all who signed up. The garage sale will be held on April 20 from 9:00 to 2:00 p.m. We could still use a few more people from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to help clean up. 

As we open our church to the broader community, it is a good time to remind you that we are called to radical hospitality as an Affirming church. This means everyone who enters our building should be treated like a child of God. Radical hospitality goes beyond being friendly; it welcomes guests with warmth, openness, and authenticity that significantly exceeds expectations. Intentional hospitality surprises and delights people by making them feel noticed, giving them personal attention, and providing excellent follow-through. The hospitality makes guests feel so welcome they want to return again and again. 

When we live into the principles of radical hospitality, we give people a taste of the kingdom of God. When hospitality is done well, it changes lives. 

Maya Angelou is often attributed to saying, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” 

Opening our church to guests, whether on Sunday morning for a concert, a fundraiser dinner, or a garage sale, is the perfect opportunity for all of us to practice radical hospitality. Guests don’t return to our churches because of what we do but how we make them feel.

I understand that you all love and care for the church, but if someone comes in early for a sneak peek when we set up the garage sale, how do we make them feel important, even if they annoy us? 

We must learn to be hospitable even when we don’t think the other deserves it. 

Remembering the broader purpose of radical hospitality can help shift focus away from personal annoyances or discomfort. Instead of dwelling on negative feelings, remind yourself of the value of treating others with kindness and respect, even when difficult.

Try to understand the perspective of the individual who is causing frustration. Consider what might be motivating their behaviour or what they might be experiencing in their own life. Recognizing their humanity and inherent worth can foster compassion and patience.

Engage in active listening techniques to defuse tension and demonstrate empathy. Validate the other person's feelings or concerns while also asserting your perspective. Reflecting on what they say can help them feel heard and valued, even if you disagree.

If you're struggling to maintain radical hospitality in a challenging situation, don't hesitate to ask for help from someone less involved or from me.

Blessings.

Rev. Kim 

 

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