The Greeting Ministry–Making Ladies Feel Welcome

In our efforts to do our best to welcome and make people feel comfortable at the retreat, we have “greeters” at every retreat and women’s event.  To “greet” means to meet or receive demonstratively, as with expressions of kind wishes and welcome.”  We want every woman who attends our retreats and women’s events to know that we are so glad that they have come.  So “greeting” has become a ministry of its own.

Kelly has been our leader in charge of the greeters for the past few years.  For our retreat, Kelly usually asks four girls (who are able to be at the retreat early) to serve as greeters.  Two will be at the door to the meeting room when registration begins, and two will be available inside the meeting room. The registration table normally opens about an hour before the first session begins.  At that time, ladies can pick up name tags and booklets, and the doors to the main meeting room are opened.  There are always ladies there, ready to register early, and the rest trickle in all evening. The greeters have the job of welcoming the ladies as they register.   The girls at the door just welcome the women as they enter the meeting room.  The girls inside the meeting room wander around the room and engage women in conversation.  It is often the case that a woman will arrive and check in alone–either because she is new or because her friends have not arrived yet.  Since we include sister churches, it is possible that some arrive, knowing no one.  Those ladies are the ones particularly targeted by our inside greeters.

We find that there are women who are especially suited for the ministry of “greeter.”  They have a heart for women, and a desire to draw them into fellowship, and a gift for talking to new people.  These women may also enjoy being a table leader.