Christ Episcopal Church, Alameda CA

God is - we rejoice. God loves - we live. God calls - we serve.

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Home Ministries Welcoming
Welcoming

Christ Episcopal Church Welcoming Commission

Were  We  Invite, Welcome And Include All Parishioners

The Welcoming Committee at Christ Church are like “Lay ambassadors” who most often are the first contact a visitor has with Christ Church the first time they enter our Sanctuary.   
  • We are greeters at both Sunday Morning Services, and are known as Ministers of Hospitality (MOHS) with the responsibility to roll out the red carpet and offer a smile and a greeting to all who come through our doors on Sunday morning..
  • We hand out the service bulletin and provide general information to all and a welcome brochure to each visitor
  • We send each visitor a follow up e-mail or snail mail to thank them for visititng us and an offer to answer any questions they might have.
  • We provide an orientation and hosted lunch for new comers, conducted by Pastor Ted, at least three times a year that introduces them to Christ Church, its mission, priorities, practices and beliefs.    In 2008 we welcomed forty four visitors.  Seventeen of them attended an orientation and twelve 12 were Spiritually Welcome
  • We provide each newcomer the opportunity to have a personal “Guide” to help them through the first few months of puzzlements and help they integrate into our congregational family.  Newcomers and “guides” often form very close relationships through this relationship.   
  • We meet once a month as a Commission,  to address matters affecting the welcoming of visitors and integrating  both new and long time  members into our congregational family. 
  • We also branch out to assist to other  “quality of Church-life” activates that include,  but are not limited to,  providing over-site and follow up for  our weekly coffee hour,   Rummage Sale, Parish Retreat and   membership record-keeping.
……….We invite your  participation in this committee -  So if you have an interest please contact……… Helen Sause

 

Volunteer Opportunities

We are always looking for good greeters, which does not require being on the Commission.  Commission meetings are open to visitors and you are welcome to join the discussion or help with projects.
 
Meetings:  3rd Mondays, 816 Grand St., 7 p.m.
Contact:  Helen Sause or leave a message with the CEC office: (510) 723-7200
 

Process for newcomers

If newcomers choose to give us contact information, they are invited to an Orientation to the parish and the Episcopal Church, led by our rector.  At the Orientation each newcomer is given a Welcome Folder, which contains an overview brochure, this ministries guide, a newsletter, an introduction to stewardship, and a Registry Form should they choose to join Christ Church.  

If participants choose to become members of this faith community, they are invited to stand before the congregation a week or two later for a Spiritual Welcoming, which acknowledges their new relationship with the parish.
 
New members are then each given a ‘CEC guide’ – a member who will be a source of information and introduction in their first six months as members.  The idea is to help people through that first stage of becoming part of a new faith community after saying they want to belong.  
 


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Christ Episcopal Church

Rev. Anne Jensen, Interim Rector
1700 Santa Clara Avenue
Alameda, California 94501
Tel. (510) 523-7200
Fax. (510) 523-1581

Worship Times

Sundays

  • 8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, said
  • 10:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, with choir and hymns

This weeks' readings

A Transitional Prayer,

Almighty and Loving God,

We pray for our community during this time of transition. We pray that your presence may be known among us, guiding us in our journey. Help us to understand this time as holy, a time for discovery, renewal, and joy. We pray for the gifts of courage, patience, perseverance and discernment.  And when it is your will to do so, grant us a servant who will travel our new road with us – in your time, not ours.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.