Dear Friends,
Rev. Dr. Missy Higginbotham talked about how much she liked the word “Welcome” in the book New Thoughts for Today.
She welcomed the new day, new people, new ideas.

I started thinking about the word “Welcome” and I like it too. Very often at faith centers there are “welcomers” for members and newcomers.
It always feels good when someone looks you in the eye and says “Welcome to our church, or Welcome to our community etc.” I have also been to places
where I walk through the door into a service, a meeting or conference where I was pretty much alone to navigate my way through unfamiliar territory.

There are a lot of people who are lonely and feel left out and alone in the world.
How can we make our brothers and sisters feel seen, known and welcomed.
Any time you smile at someone, they feel seen.
Any time you say hello or say a kind word, they feel seen and welcomed.

Our country and our world is divisive right now where so many people feel unloved, unwanted and unwelcomed. It is time to do what we can in our own
little part of the world and to be on the lookout for a person who looks lonely
or left out. BE welcoming to them. Smile and say a kind word. If someone
is on the outskirts of a conversation, bring them in with a gesture or a comment directed to th

And for those who are immigrants, refugees, remember the words from
the Bible. Leviticus 19:33-37 GNBUK
“Do not ill-treat foreigners who are living in your land. Treat them as you would a fellow-Israelite, and love them as you love yourselves.
Remember that you were once foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.”

No one is a stranger. Who you see is who you are, for GOD is in all, and as all people. Be the “welcomer” in your life today.