The Gift of Hospitality

I wish you could have heard the conversation! A recent guest at our school unfamiliar with our community, our building, and the opportunity of Christian education, asked if they could speak to me for a moment.  I agreed, unsure where this conversation might lead.

 “I want you to know this” was how the ensuing conversation began.  This person told the story of how they had been welcomed by parents and students, of how a staff member had dropped everything to help them,  how great the school looked, and how amazing the people were in this school. “And they didn’t even know who I was” closed out the summary of the observations.

I’m pleased to tell you that I am blessed to hear remarks like these fairly frequently. They testify to the blessings of belonging to a community whose strength is the “the joy of the Lord” (Nehemiah 8:10), a community that enjoys agreement of purpose and daily practice of faith.  We exist so that God may be praised as young children are taught the things of God in an educational setting. There is immense joy for us in hearing that recognized by people in the community. 

What’s your part in continuing that glowing impression of our school? I’m convinced that first impressions and opening conversations are essential to people learning about who and what we are in ways that leave room for us to enfold them in our midst. There is enormous cost for our school when that does not remain a guiding principle and a priority.

Pray for the leadership of our school who are busy looking for ways to guide our community of purpose into an upcoming school year.  Welcome the well known and brand new faces we find among us! 

 SJ