Thank you for volunteering to serve as a greeter. This important job of welcoming visitors and guests, as well as current members, to worship services at Advent, is a simple way to demonstrate fellowship and love that can make a real difference to all who enter here. Please take a moment to look over the following suggestions and information which may be of use.
All greeters:
- Be sure to wear a name tag. There are also purple metal “greeter” tags on the window sill between the two front doors.
- Please do not limit your greeting visitors only to times you are scheduled, but also whenever you see them again. If you see someone looking a bit lost, offer assistance. Your remembering them (even if you don’t remember their names) goes a long way toward making them feel truly welcome and at home here. We want to share our joy that someone chose to join us for the first time or that they returned again for worship.
Before-service greeters:
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before the service is to begin.
- Stand near the narthex entrance doors (on the side closest to the office.)
- Greet everyone with a handshake and a verbal greeting such as “Good morning” or “Welcome to Advent”.
- If you do not recognize them as members, you may wish to introduce yourself and ask them if they are visitors. If so, you can point out the guest book and red name tags on the narthex table. In cold weather, point out the coat room as well. If they are already members, use this opportunity to put a name with a face for those members you have not met before.
After-service greeters:
- Leave the sanctuary during the last hymn and stand near Pastor at the center exit. Be sure to identify yourself to him as the greeter for the day so he will know to whom he can introduce visitors as they leave. Not only does this help you identify those who are visiting, but Pastor Fiene has commented how much this helps to move along the line of people leaving the sanctuary.
- Introduce yourself and engage in a little conversation. (Are they from the area? Where are they currently attending? Where did they move from? Do they know anyone at Advent? Do they have any questions about the church, its programs, or its activities?)
- Ask them to sign the guest book on the center table and encourage them to take a “Welcome” folder which provides information about service times, Christian education and Bible study programs, mid-week activities, and other items. (11/07 note: I believe the new welcome folders are still in process.)
- After early service, invite them to join us for coffee and donuts in the Fellowship Hall and then stay for Adult Bible Study led by our pastor.
- If the visitors have children accompanying them after early service, invite them to take the children to Sunday School or use our nursery ( available both during Sunday School and during worship services). Direct them to the proper place.
- The nursery is to the right of the drinking fountains just after you enter the hall leading to the library and Fellowship Hall.
- For preschool through 2nd grade, the Sunday School opening service is in the library. Tell parents a bell will indicate the end of class and they should pick up their children at the classrooms at that time. They can find out which classroom that will be when they go to the Sunday School opening.
- Older children and teens all go downstairs to the common area, where they can be directed to their SS opening or to classrooms, as applicable for their age group.