St. Thomas' Episcopal Church

The Newcomers’ Ministry works with the clergy and other parishioners in welcoming newcomers to St. Thomas’ and facilitating their integration into the life of our parish family.
Ministry members greet newcomers/visitors at the church doors following the 10 a.m. service on Sundays, and whenever possible after the 5 p.m. Saturday and the 8 a.m. Sunday services.  Members help to facilitate introductions at coffee hour.  In addition, they make a welcoming telephone call to each new household, offering to provide information, introductions to specific programs or social groups and extending an invitation to Sunday coffee hour.    
 An additional group within this ministry is those members who are Greeters only.  These members also make themselves available to greet at the church doors prior to and after the services as mentioned above.  They will also offer an invitation to coffee hour and make introductions; however, this is their only official responsibility for the ministry.
The ministry provides a Newcomers’ table staffed by one of our volunteers at coffee hour to facilitate newcomers/visitors and active members to identify who they are in order to encourage everyone to be part of this fellowship.
The ministry hosts a special reception for recent newcomers’ on a semi-annual basis, in the fall and spring.  These events provide an opportunity to meet with the clergy, the wardens and members of the Newcomers’ Ministry as well as other newcomers, and to learn more about the church structure and activities.  Folders of parish information are provided to each new household.  In addition, newcomers receive a special invitation to the Advent Dinner and to the Parish Picnic. 
New Ministry members are always welcome.