Few experiences run more counter to God’s invitation than feeling unwelcome, despite what the sign outside a church may say.
The wonderful thing about the Church is that it is a diverse community, called and created by God, and held together by the bond of love toward God and each other.
It is a gift that the church’s diversity challenges us to greater love toward each other and to greater generosity in our welcome.
In accepting this challenge God lets our love increase; and in the process we may recognize that not all find us lovable but choose to love us anyway. This is an experience of grace. It is how God meets us and it is God’s love that is the foundation of being a Christian community.
We don’t claim to be perfect, but we commit ourselves to welcome others as God has welcomed us.