One of the core values of The Episcopal Church of Our Savior is hospitality. In this brand new church we have not yet developed a "hospitality program" such as offering newcomers a loaf of bread. Maybe that is because we are all newcomers. We are pilgrims on a journey of faith toward the formation of this new church.
Hospitality has long been a hallmark of Christians. In the early days of the church it was said of Christians, "Behold how they love each other." Jesus said that if we welcome other people we are welcoming him.
Henri Nouwen once remarked that Americans are "a world of strangers, estranged from their own past, culture, and country, from their neighbors, friends and family, from their deepest self and their God." Nouwen highly recommended that we get back to our Christian roots of hospitality as a way of life. He called hospitality the "creation of free space" where we can be accepted for who we are and perhaps become lifelong friends.
At Our Savior our hospitality is that we invite all to go on our pilgrim journey with us. Are you headed our way?
In peace,
Linda+
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Rev. Linda McCloud
Pastor
The Episcopal Church of Our Savior at Honey Creek
http://www.oursaviorhoneycreek.org/
http://oursaviorhoneycreek.blogspot.com/
912-267-0333
photo: outdoor stone labyrinth at
Camp Duncan Gray, Canton, Mississippi
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