Many meetings have different ways of welcoming newcomers through pastoral care, committees, or through literature. The opportunity to provide hospitality in the tradition of Friends to those who join you in worship is different to navigate and there are different ways of embracing new seekers, below are opportunities and resources for monthly meeting as they welcome guests to their meetinghouses.
Resources From Philadelphia Yearly Meeting:
- How Do You Welcome New F/friends?: Participate with the Program and Religious Life staff of PYM in a virtual discussion on best practices over how to welcome newcomers to your meeting, share how your monthly meeting welcomes seekers and learn from others meetings. This event is on Sunday, February 23 at 7 PM.
- Outreach & Communications Resources: Here Friends can find; Guidance for Virtual Gatherings, Inclusive Language to Use in Inreach, Outreach, and Communication, and a video on How Do Quaker Meetings Do Outreach and Welcome Newcomers? among so much more!
- Membership Development Granting Group: PYM Monthly/Quarterly Meetings are encouraged to apply for funds as it Supports Monthly and Quarterly Meetings of PYM in projects that; Enhance the visibility meetings in their communities, attract seekers to attend worship, increase engagement attendees in the Meeting community.
Resources from Friends General Conference:
- Becoming Welcoming Friends: Welcoming Friends deepen the spiritual life meetings, help newcomers learn about Quaker practices, faith, and the meeting community
- Grow Our Meetings Toolkit – Welcoming Families & Children: To provide spiritual hospitality for families meetings must offer opportunities for both adults and kids to build connection.
- Newcomer Cards: Newcomer cards that help newcomers learn Quaker practices can help them feel more comfortable.
We invite Friends to share more resources be sending them to communications@pym.org.
