• Recognize And Welcome Visitors At The Church Entrance(s)

This is a natural activity for the Brotherhood. It is more difficult in larger churches, but official “greeters”, with or without an appropriate “badge”, can recognize and meet most visitors if they are on the job regularly and not bashful about speaking to people whom they do not recognize They may be embarrassed at times by “old timers” whom they do not recognize but this is unimportant compared to the value in establishing contact with new visitors. If there is more than one entrance, men (and women) could be placed at each one. Names, addresses and telephone numbers should be obtained and given to the rector and parish office. This activity can be handled by the ushers as people come in but it has been found more practical to have the “greeters” standing near the rector after the worship services. “Greeters are also called sometimes” Rectors Aides

• Provide Identification for Visitors

Some parishes have found that the provision of “visitor’s crosses” and a visitor’s register at church entrances has been a way to identify newcomers. All members the parish can be alerted to spot and speak t people wearing the crosses.

• Welcome At Coffee Hour

A. “Coffee Hour” after the worship service provides an excellent opportunity to introduce visitors to parishioners. Details concerning this activity are covered in “HOW TO” Project . We would like to suggest here, however, that if visitors are greeted at the entrances, it is a good idea to have Brotherhood members, or others, standing by to escort them to the Coffee Hour and adult classes if this is practical.

• Visit At Home

In addition to the visit of the clergy, a visit by a team of two Brotherhood members or a Brotherhood man and his wife will do much to make a newcomer(s) feel welcome and provides visitors an opportunity to witness to their faith. Home visitation has been covered in more detail in “HOW TO” Project .

• Orientation Follow-up

Another way to help newcomers become absorbed into parish life quickly is to assign a Brotherhood member or parish couple to act as a sort of Sponsor for a period of a month or two. The Sponsor would see that the newcomer is introduced to others, that children are enrolled in church school and parents encouraged to participate in some activity.