Volley # 20

Volley # 20: Whose House Is It?

Our church interiors are unmistakably Christian houses of worship. Their windows, art, and appointments convey religious references on many levels. But how about our parish halls and meeting rooms, many of which are used regularly by non-church groups? Would someone with no church connection recognize those spaces as having any religious significance or holiness about them at all? Do they look like just any secular meeting room?

We could be wasting valuable evangelical opportunities, or at least a chance to proclaim our identity in the community. Check out your spaces. Is there a cross, an icon, or some devotional artwork or statement in each one of them, to signify that these are places intended for God’s work?

How about an invitation to further and deeper relationship? Almost every Episcopal congregation welcomes twelve-step groups, which have a “spiritual,” but not a religious or sectarian purpose. We carefully respect the “anonymous” tradition of these groups, and they appreciate that. Still, if no invitation is ever issued, it would be easy for participants to assume that they are not really welcome at St. Swithin’s, since no one has ever said that they are welcome.

Maybe a framed, attractive note of invitation would be in order for each meeting room. A second one explaining something about the room or building itself might be helpful, too.

St. Catherine’s-on-the-Creek Episcopal Church Welcomes You!
To Ebenezer Crabhatchet Hall.
We also cordially and sincerely invite you
to worship on Sundays
at 8:00 or 10:30 A. M.
Sunday School for children and adults is at 9:30.