Comments on: My Calling to Welcome Others http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/ Thu, 17 May 2012 16:45:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Fred http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31699 Fred Fri, 13 Jul 2007 20:14:07 +0000 http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31699 Vada, I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your post. It reminds me of the time I was called to teach Elders Quorum and I made the resolution to learn names quickly. I think this effort made a big difference--both to me and to others. For some time, I have been more hesitant to get out of my shell and really try to make others feel comfortable (or even recognized) and, as you suggest, I have been slower to feel at home in any of my subsequent wards. Thanks. Vada,

I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your post. It reminds me of the time I was called to teach Elders Quorum and I made the resolution to learn names quickly. I think this effort made a big difference–both to me and to others. For some time, I have been more hesitant to get out of my shell and really try to make others feel comfortable (or even recognized) and, as you suggest, I have been slower to feel at home in any of my subsequent wards.

Thanks.

]]> By: Tanya Sue http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31603 Tanya Sue Wed, 11 Jul 2007 20:07:11 +0000 http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31603 I was actually called to be a greeter in one of the largest singles wards in the US (my bishop said it was actually the largest). It was one of the most emotionally draining callings I have ever had! I seriously started crying before I left for church more than once because I was so intimidated doing it-I get really nervous in large groups. There were so many people to try to get to know. So many names I was trying to remember. Literally hundreds of people to get to know and at least 100+ visitors every week. At first I really struggled in thinking I was given a "made-up" calling (and was really annoyed with my bishop) until one of my closest friends asked who introduced themselves to me first when I started attending. It was him. I then realized what an important calling is to help others feel welcomed and known at church-to have someone who knows who you are and recognizes when you are gone. It is so easy to get stuck in a rut with the normal people you know. It takes a great deal of effort to reach outside ourselves and comfort to help others feel welcome and loved. I was actually called to be a greeter in one of the largest singles wards in the US (my bishop said it was actually the largest). It was one of the most emotionally draining callings I have ever had! I seriously started crying before I left for church more than once because I was so intimidated doing it-I get really nervous in large groups.

There were so many people to try to get to know. So many names I was trying to remember. Literally hundreds of people to get to know and at least 100+ visitors every week. At first I really struggled in thinking I was given a “made-up” calling (and was really annoyed with my bishop) until one of my closest friends asked who introduced themselves to me first when I started attending. It was him. I then realized what an important calling is to help others feel welcomed and known at church-to have someone who knows who you are and recognizes when you are gone.

It is so easy to get stuck in a rut with the normal people you know. It takes a great deal of effort to reach outside ourselves and comfort to help others feel welcome and loved.

]]> By: TftCarrie http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31592 TftCarrie Wed, 11 Jul 2007 16:23:57 +0000 http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31592 One of the best unofficial callings I have ever had was being in charge of the branch (then ward) photo directory. It gave me the excuse/motivation to talk to every person/family in the ward. I also got into the habit of keeping an eye out for unfamiliar faces each week so I could get their picture and info (I also loved having everyone's phone number without having to wait for the next year's updated directory!). Man, I loved that "calling". In our ward now, it has been easy to get to know the other new and semi-new families, but the task has been harder with the "old-timers". They seem less invested in the welcoming process. It's good to remember that welcoming can run both ways. One of the best unofficial callings I have ever had was being in charge of the branch (then ward) photo directory. It gave me the excuse/motivation to talk to every person/family in the ward. I also got into the habit of keeping an eye out for unfamiliar faces each week so I could get their picture and info (I also loved having everyone’s phone number without having to wait for the next year’s updated directory!). Man, I loved that “calling”.

In our ward now, it has been easy to get to know the other new and semi-new families, but the task has been harder with the “old-timers”. They seem less invested in the welcoming process. It’s good to remember that welcoming can run both ways.

]]> By: Ziff http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31537 Ziff Tue, 10 Jul 2007 06:40:00 +0000 http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31537 <p>Vada, thanks for this post. My wife and I have recently been talking about what it will be like to move out of our current ward that we love so much. It took us a while to get to know people when we moved into this ward, so we were trying to think about how we could speed up the process in our next ward. I really like this point:</p> <blockquote>If I want to be a part of this ward, the best way to do it is to reach out and welcome them. Who cares if they've been in the ward 2 weeks or 20 years? When was the last time you were put off by someone saying hello and trying to get to know you better?</blockquote> <p>I'll have to keep this in mind.</p> Vada, thanks for this post. My wife and I have recently been talking about what it will be like to move out of our current ward that we love so much. It took us a while to get to know people when we moved into this ward, so we were trying to think about how we could speed up the process in our next ward. I really like this point:

If I want to be a part of this ward, the best way to do it is to reach out and welcome them. Who cares if they’ve been in the ward 2 weeks or 20 years? When was the last time you were put off by someone saying hello and trying to get to know you better?

I’ll have to keep this in mind.

]]> By: fMhLisa http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31531 fMhLisa Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:36:15 +0000 http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31531 I live in a sprawltastic ward that with new McMansion construction (I live in the poorfolks subdivision ne-t to the McMansions) has split three times in the last si- years and these days we welcome at least three new families every week and add a row or two in the back. And the thought of trying to meet and greet these people e-hausts me. I've been horrible about getting to know people, it's really something I need to work on. I live in a sprawltastic ward that with new McMansion construction (I live in the poorfolks subdivision ne-t to the McMansions) has split three times in the last si- years and these days we welcome at least three new families every week and add a row or two in the back. And the thought of trying to meet and greet these people e-hausts me. I’ve been horrible about getting to know people, it’s really something I need to work on.

]]> By: Idahospud http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31530 Idahospud Tue, 10 Jul 2007 04:15:36 +0000 http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31530 My 14yo daughter had the experience of attending a branch in Alabama over Mother's Day weekend this year. She said that it seemed the entire congregation went out of their way to greet her, smile, hug, ask where she was from, how long she was staying, where she was staying . . . and when they found out she played the piano they put her right to work in YW. She was so delighted with the whole experience that she has told everyone about it and vowed to be a Welcome Person in our own ward. While it has its drawbacks (the two YM that moved in recently follow her around like puppydogs), she has found a new purpose for herself that has positive repercussions all around. My 14yo daughter had the experience of attending a branch in Alabama over Mother’s Day weekend this year. She said that it seemed the entire congregation went out of their way to greet her, smile, hug, ask where she was from, how long she was staying, where she was staying . . . and when they found out she played the piano they put her right to work in YW. She was so delighted with the whole experience that she has told everyone about it and vowed to be a Welcome Person in our own ward. While it has its drawbacks (the two YM that moved in recently follow her around like puppydogs), she has found a new purpose for herself that has positive repercussions all around.

]]> By: Mark IV http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31524 Mark IV Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:16:55 +0000 http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31524 Vada, That sounds like a great calling, and you are probably just the right one to fill it. A few months ago, a man in my ward told me that he thought I was a real "people person", and I almost laughed in his face. It has taken years of effort for me to be able to walk up to a stranger at church, smile, and say hello. One of the ongoing conflicts in our marriage is where to sit in church. My wife likes forth row, middle. I like back row, side. We accommodate one another's aberrations by alternating where we sit. It is a revealing experience to sit near the door and see the new people, or the ones who haven't been around for a while, take a few cautious steps into the chapel. They stand there for a minute, looking for a place to sit, and it is so much fun to scoot over and make room for them to sit by us. Vada,

That sounds like a great calling, and you are probably just the right one to fill it.

A few months ago, a man in my ward told me that he thought I was a real “people person”, and I almost laughed in his face. It has taken years of effort for me to be able to walk up to a stranger at church, smile, and say hello.

One of the ongoing conflicts in our marriage is where to sit in church. My wife likes forth row, middle. I like back row, side. We accommodate one another’s aberrations by alternating where we sit. It is a revealing experience to sit near the door and see the new people, or the ones who haven’t been around for a while, take a few cautious steps into the chapel. They stand there for a minute, looking for a place to sit, and it is so much fun to scoot over and make room for them to sit by us.

]]> By: cmac http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31522 cmac Mon, 09 Jul 2007 18:05:18 +0000 http://zelophehadsdaughters.com/2007/07/08/my-calling-to-welcome-others/#comment-31522 <p>Vada, thanks for this post. I have been in my ward for just about 2 years and I still feel like I am on the outside. The same thoughts you wrote about are always what I think (I always try to convince myself: no one will think I'm annoying if I just want to be friends-- right?). I like how you said, "I would have been grateful for someone to welcome me, even if they'd only been in the ward a couple of weeks. Maybe we would have had a really rewarding friendship."</p> <p>I am realizing over and over that the only way for that to happen is if I am the one to reach out and make friends with someone else. I guess we are all just waiting for someone to be friends with us. It is hard to put yourself out there-- but I always appreciate it when people do.</P> <p>Anyway, you have really motivated me. Thank you!</p> Vada, thanks for this post. I have been in my ward for just about 2 years and I still feel like I am on the outside. The same thoughts you wrote about are always what I think (I always try to convince myself: no one will think I’m annoying if I just want to be friends– right?). I like how you said, “I would have been grateful for someone to welcome me, even if they’d only been in the ward a couple of weeks. Maybe we would have had a really rewarding friendship.”

I am realizing over and over that the only way for that to happen is if I am the one to reach out and make friends with someone else. I guess we are all just waiting for someone to be friends with us. It is hard to put yourself out there– but I always appreciate it when people do.

Anyway, you have really motivated me. Thank you!

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