Alternate Activity 1: Congregation Tour
Part of Love Surrounds Us
Activity time: 15 minutes
Materials for Activity
- A notebook and a pen or pencil
Description of Activity
This activity encourages participants to think about how it may feel to be new to the congregation and to brainstorm how to make a new person feel accepted there.
Explain that the group will walk around the inside (and, if applicable, the outside) of the congregation. Ask participants to look around and pretend they are visiting the congregation for the first time. What would make them feel welcome? Ask the participants what would make new children feel welcome-not only visiting adults. Prompt:
- Are there signs giving directions?
- Are there people to greet them?
- Are there signs welcoming them?
- Is there a rainbow flag?
- Are there symbols of many religions?
- Is there special parking for visitors?
Observe if the congregation is accessible to those with mobility limitations. List the ideas participants think of to make people feel more welcome at the congregation. You might share your list with the membership committee; perhaps it has ideas they could use.
Including All Participants
Choose a walking area that can accommodate wheelchairs or other equipment.