Every Sunday the Cathedral is privileged to have visitors and newcomers. We take the response to newcomers very seriously. We try to strike a balance between expressing our delight in having new people among and giving people enough space to come among us and test us out without being assaulted with an over active or pushy welcome. It is a balance that is hard to strike. We are aware that those who have not much experience with the church often seek out cathedrals as a place to test the waters without having to declare themselves.
Having said that, the clergy are most anxious to respond to newcomers and respond to any immediate questions they might have. The Clergy are available for appointment either at the parish office or in your home. This can be arranged by a phone call to the parish office at 762-3321.
The St. Michael and All Angels Congregational Development Committee/Newcomer's Group has recently instituted a new way of meeting the needs of newcomers to the church. The information on the yellow pew card is completed, and the card is handed to the priest at the door as the new person exits the church. The church secretary then sends information about the history of the cathedral and about the various groups working in the church to the newcomers, before a visit from a committee member is made.
Our congregational development committee is working on a number of other initiatives in our care of newcomers. One such initiative is to rejuvenate the bread ministry which was in place until a few years ago. Shortly after a family makes themselves known to us and lets us know of their interest in making the cathedral their parish home, a pair of volunteers, armed with a freshly baked loaf of bread, arranges a visit to the new family and provide a tangible welcome to the Cathedral and to respond to any questions the newcomers may have.
Another initiative from the Congregational Development Committee, is to throw periodic social evenings for recent newcomers to meet other newcomers and parish leaders over a glass of wine or other beverage.
It is our sincere hope that you will find St. Michael's to be a welcoming and friendly community, and that it will come to feel like "home" to you. Let us know how we are doing.
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