Looking outwards

Kim Hope explores the role of welcome and ‘in-reach’ within the Society

The survey showed that reaching out needed to be balanced with effective 'in-reach' | Photo: Saharja Meditation/flickr CC

Two separate incidents have given me pause for thought recently: the first was at our Local Meeting where I am co-clerk. As is my usual custom (and the custom of my co-clerk) at the end of Meeting for Worship after we had all shaken hands and quietly welcomed each other individually, I stood to welcome everyone present. As we had visitors, I began by telling everyone my name, role, and also introduced my co-clerk by name. Then I asked if any of the visitors would like to say who they were and where they came from. They all did. If there had been no visitors, I would not have mentioned my name, of course, as all present would have known it.

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