Our church is going through the process to become a Reconciling in Christ congregation. We have been thinking about how to become a place where the full diversity of Christ’s people find belonging. One of the very wise members of our Reconciling in Christ committee has suggested that our congregation think of this process in terms of welcome. What kinds of actions or gestures make you feel welcome? What makes you feel unwelcome? We’ve planned these conversations as a congregation during Advent because it is the part of the church calendar when we set aside time to contemplate how we would welcome the Christ child. It is a very apt time to also contemplate how we want to welcome all of God’s children.
In this passage, Paul encourages the church in Rome to live harmoniously with one another (verse 5), and to welcome each other as Christ has welcomed them (verse 6).
Welcoming God, soften our hearts so that we can welcome both you and your children into our communities. Amen. —