Dear friends, I want to touch on something: making guests of Plymouth Church feel at home. One of the greatest joys of being the church is welcoming new people into our faith community. Did you know that about one in five visitors will return and become part of a church family long-term? But here’s something even more encouraging: when a guest comes back for a second visit, those chances double. That tells me something simple and powerful: the way we welcome people matters. Think about how you’ve felt walking into a new place—maybe a new school, job, or restaurant in town. It can be exciting, but also a little nerve-wracking. When someone smiles, opens a door, or takes time to introduce themselves, suddenly it feels less overwhelming. Church can be the same way. Our hospitality can make the difference between someone visiting once and someone finding a spiritual home. Who Walks Through Our Doors? People visit churches for all kinds of reasons: Some come with a friend or family member. They might not be looking for a new church, but they’re willing to try it out because someone they love brought them. Some are curious seekers. They may have little or no background in church, but something inside is nudging them to explore faith. Some are “church shopping.” They’re trying out different congregations to see where they feel most at home. Some carry hurt. They’ve had painful experiences elsewhere but are hoping this time will be different. Some are ready to dive in. Maybe they’ve just moved to town or feel called to find a new church family. Each story is unique. But all of them are longing for the same thing: to feel seen, welcomed, and loved. There are some ways—big and small—we can make visitors feel like part of our family from the very first moment: *Warm greetings at the door. A smile and “We’re glad you’re here” go further than we think. *Clear information. Signs, bulletins, or a simple info table can help newcomers know where to go and what to expect. *Kind words in worship. A heartfelt welcome from the pulpit helps break the ice. *A website that feels like us. These days, most people “visit” online before ever walking in. Let’s make sure our website shows who we really are—welcoming, down-to-earth, and Christcentered. *Space for connection. Whether it’s a simple card to leave prayer requests or a conversation over coffee, people want to be known. *Follow-up. A note, email, or call that says “Thanks for joining us—you matter” can mean the world. Let’s take hospitality beyond Sunday with a picnic, service project (Habitat Build), or game night that give visitors a chance to meet us in a more relaxed setting. None of these require perfection. They just require a spirit of love—the same love God has shown us. In the end, welcoming visitors isn’t about programs or strategies. It’s about seeing every person as a beloved child of God and letting them know there’s a place for them here. Let’s be the kind of church where people don’t just attend once—they come back, and keep coming back, because they’ve discovered a community that feels like home. See you in church (our Plymouth community), Pastor Peter Blank