What happens to the Sunday morning worship bulletins after worship is over? Are they taken home for the announcements? Are they left in the pew? Or recycled? Or tossed in the wastebasket?
I learned this past week that some bulletins are taken to members of our church family who are living in assisted living or care facilities. This one-woman sharing ministry has been going on for awhile now and is appreciated by those who aren’t able to worship with their church family as easily as in the past. The bulletin has become a connecting point with their church. To provide some back story, the Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) has read Phil Maynard’s book, Shift, and is paying particular attention to the first shift he speaks of: from fellowship to hospitality. Leadership at our churches is looking at how we can best welcome newcomers to our church, as well as how to provide care for one another … regular worshipers and less regular worshipers alike. Then the questions began: Are there others who might like to receive a bulletin? Probably so. Could we mail bulletins to some folks? Sure, let’s make a list. Is there a way folks will know we care if we aren’t delivering the bulletins in person? Yes! And this is how … On the heart-shaped sticky note provided, you are invited to write a greeting, prayer, blessing, or “thinking of you” note. Leave room to sign your name. Then affix your “heart note” to a bulletin that you are NOT taking home! These “heart” bulletins will then be delivered or mailed to members of our church family every couple of weeks. It’s a way to stay connected. A way to encourage faithfulness. A way to witness to our faith. A way to brighten someone’s day. A way to show we care. God of Love, keep speaking to us and showing us ways that we can share your Love, the Greatest Love, with others. Grace and peace … --Pastor Pat
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