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

Welcoming the stranger

9.21.2015
|
Daily Grace

When I moved back to my hometown to be closer to family, finding a new church home was important to me. Though I had grown up Baptist, Lutheran theology better expressed my adult Christian faith.

So I visited one church’s Saturday evening service; it was small and informal—no music, just word and communion. After the prayers we passed the peace. Well, they passed the peace. I was left holding my hand out, feeling very uncomfortable as the other eight people shook each other’s hands.

When it suddenly dawned on someone that I should be included, one person tentatively moved toward me and gave me the cold, no-grip shake. Most of the others followed suit, but I felt like a leper. Did they see in my black skin a warning to stay away, even in the house of the Lord?

Needless to say, I never went back there. Five years later, this is still fresh in my mind.

We are all brothers and sisters in Christ. Is your community truly welcoming? Are you? What can you do to ensure that all feel welcome?


Today we remember Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. This message was adapted from “Welcoming the Stranger” written by Jessica Lee that first appeared in the November 2008 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine. If you are reading “Daily Grace” online, sign up to receive it by email daily.

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 Jul
Women of the ELCA
@WomenoftheELCA

#ArchivesHashtagParty Another predecessor organizations. The General Council - Women's Missionary Society - Executive Committee - General Convention, Trinity Lutheran Chapel, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, 1911. #WeAreWELCA #ActBoldly From ELCA Archives. @ELCALutherans pic.twitter.com/isggyQyVuy

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 2022 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2022 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.