Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
      • Dear Friend in Christ
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Events
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to All Daily Grace

Learning to welcome others

5.18.2014
|
Daily Grace

Before I grew spiritually, I experienced the feeling of being an outsider. I am a cradle Lutheran—born, baptized, confirmed, married—all at the same small rural church. These church members were like my family, our pasts interwoven through shared experiences.

Then I moved to an even smaller rural community and attended the Lutheran church there. I was welcomed by this new family. Then I noticed these were people who shared a long history in this church, and somehow I had slipped outside. Visitors were greeted with warm handshakes and true welcome—then eventually slipped through a gap, outside the circle of belonging.

I have since returned to my familiar church. But I understand what it feels like to be an outsider. Now I go to the new people letting go of my natural tendency to visit with old friends. I have learned that exclusion is subtle and unintentional.  I am grateful to have learned the lesson of being an outsider so I can help others feel they belong in God’s church.

This message is adapted from “Reader Call” written by Elsa Ruth in the May 2005 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.

Share

Sign up for Daily Grace

Daily Grace is an on-the-go companion for your journey, offering a faith reflection every day. Encounter God’s extravagant, boundless and often surprising grace by signing up for a daily email message. You can also download the newly updated app for your IOS and Android devices.

Women of the ELCA
1 Mar
Women of the ELCA
@WomenoftheELCA

How do you stay connected in uncertain times? We offer you links to videos and resources in our newsletter. conta.cc/3pSg8n7 pic.twitter.com/7BRbJATC3T

Expand reply reply retweet retweet favorite favorite
Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2021 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2021 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.