People Won't Know Their Welcome Unless You Say They Are I once told my dear friend, our church secretary at the time, this, when we were discussing open and affirming congregations. The thing is, if you are part of a group that has been historically held to the periphery of society, or in some way made to feel less than, or been explicitly told that you are an abomination, it would be really hard, it would take extreme bravery and courage to enter any place, but expecially a faith community that didn't go out of her way to offer you a specific welcome. So, IT DOESN"T MATTER IF YOU WOULD WELCOME THEM ONCE THEY'RE THERE or not! Leaving a church after three decades and becoming a visitor in others has opened my eyes to how much bravery and courage is involved in visiting new faith communities at all. So I picked one that displayed obvious welcome. One that flies a rainbow flag, one that hangs a banner welcoming refugees and immigrants. I am none ...
Doodling and sketching is a creative outlet for me. This is where I can share those doodles with all of you.