July 2006 - A Car Park Welcome

'...I am sending my messenger ahead...." Matt 11: 10

Have you ever driven up to a new church and wondered where to park and whether there is room for you? Imagine visiting a congregation who are so pleased to see people that they have a team of welcomers greeting everyone before they even reach the church door, making sure that everyone knows where they can park, that there is space for everyone to do so safely and that children, the disabled and elderly parishioners are especially well cared for. Why is this important? Well we heard some interesting stories.

• Marianna went to a wedding in a large city parish. Afterwards she returned to where she had left her car, in a large and spacious car park, only to find a parking ticket. The church had an arrangement with the local council and Marianne should have paid and displayed. But there was nothing or no-one to tell her this.
  
• At Ken's church the car park is nowhere near big enough for everyone's cars so the parish also have an arrangement with the local council - to use their car park on Sundays. But newcomers wouldn't know this and might give up and go home.
  
• Simon went to a funeral of an old family friend in a small village. As he pulled up to the church he noticed a No Parking sign. His heart sank - until he read the rest: this space is reserved for those attending the funeral ... that church had planned for visitors and made room for them.

This month think about the car park welcome that is available in your parish. Think about the notices, the signs you give to newcomers and to the rest of the community. Think about the outreach you offer beyond the church door.  If you don't have spaces marked out in your car park think about painting them in. If you are concerned about church parking or traffic issues contact your local Road Safety Officers or  Police Traffic Management team.

Check out some church notice boards on the Diocese of Lancaster website.

Scripture References for July

Matthew 11: 10