01/27/2018
Let’s promise each other to never be this way. Everyone is enthusiastically welcome at our table!
I'm stepping up on my soapbox tonight... This morning I went to my first women's ministry event at the church we just recently started attending. I haven't really met anyone yet and was a bit nervous about attending, but I know you've got to start somewhere!
I was able to make my way to the fellowship hall, at which there was a table with name tags, but no sign or greeter. Most of the tables in the room were at capacity, so I grabbed a seat at a table at which one woman had planted her stuff.
Ya'all NO ONE approached me.
I sat there for at least 10 minutes waiting for things to start and not a single soul welcomed me. I finally pulled out my phone and tried not to look lonely, I was SO uncomfortable...
Just as the program was getting underway the woman appeared in the seat next to me. She quickly said hello before we had to be quiet and pay attention. There was no time in the schedule set aside for formal introductions at our tables and no icebreaker game.
I'm glad I didn't slip out and chose to stay, as it was a GREAT program! Thankfully the other two woman at my table were very welcoming and talkative during our discussion time.
I don't ever want any woman to feel what I felt this morning. It was awful.
PLEASE ladies, encourage your team to resist the urge to gather in holy huddles.
Fan out across the room.
Mix and mingle.
Pay attention to the registration list, looking for names of women you do not know and seek them out.
Expect guests at every event and do everything you can to make certain they receive a warm welcome. It matters.
