Someone greeted us

At a recent Bible study at church, someone asked the group, “What brought you to our church and what keeps you here.”

All our answers had one thing in common: Someone greeted us and invited us to take part in the congregation once we got there. We were invited to join the choir, or attend an event, or participate in some other way. It was the come-and-join-us attitude of the congregation that made us feel welcomed.

We all had a variety of reasons of why we have remained members–all of us more than 20 years. My Bible study group of friends is one of the main reasons I stay there. People need a sense of belonging, of knowing we are welcomed and a part of something bigger than us.

This message is an excerpt from a Women of the ELCA blog by Gwen Edwards. Today we remember Augustine, bishop of Hippo, who died in 430; and Moses the Black, monk, martyr, who died around 400.

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