We attempt to
greet visitors with a brochure and bookmark and invite them to sign the
guestbook. We meet with the new members’ class to present both information
and a cross from the Holy Land as a token of our church's friendship. We
photograph all joining new members and baptisms for our historical records.
In addition, we host the New Members’ Banquet which is a time of fun,
fellowship, and a chance to inform the new members of the many opportunities
to become involved in the life of our church.
As an outreach
program in the fall, we host the snow cone tent at the Community Days event.
We staff the tent with committee members, families, and youth for several
hours of providing free snow cones along with information about our church.
We are also in the planning stages of involving our committee in the Chamber
of Commerce's Spring Community Showcase.
Being a member
of the local Chamber of Commerce allows us to present our information in
their publications and display our brochure at their office. We also have
made our brochure available at other locations throughout the community such
as the public library, stores, and common spaces within new developments.
Recently, we also made our website available in the new Marketplace
publication.
Ongoing
projects also include our Lenten and Advent prayer vigils. Within these
vigils we not only involve those members who can actively participate in the
sanctuary, but reach out via phone to a long list of at home participants.
This, along with our holiday greeting card mailings, hopefully enables those
who are shut-in to know they remain an integral part of our church.
We also
continue our search for new members by calling the long list of un-churched
families whose children attend one of the summer Bible School sessions. We
then offer an invitation to attend our church services as well. In addition,
we host the pig roast in the fall and began extending an invitation to the
community beyond our church.
To conclude,
we function tempered by the inherent reserve of the German Reformed
tradition---a rich tradition that we honor and promote. As culture and
traditions change, our church will continue to evolve as we approach our
300th year. Our church, like any church, is a complex organization with an
atmosphere that is the apparent sum influenced by all its members. Because
of this, we recognize the importance of all our members, and thank you all
for your efforts toward continuing to make New Goshenhoppen Church a
friendly place to become involved.
