WELCOME TO
SAINT PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
COLUMBIA, PA
SAINT PAUL EPISCOPAL CHURCH
COLUMBIA, PA
In the name of Christ, we offer you welcome to our church. May those who sorrow find comfort; the weary, rest; the troubled, peace; the stranger, friends; the unhappy, joy; and to all, the sense of God's presence in this Holy Place.
RADICAL HOSPITALITY
The following was posted in Saint Clement Anglican Church, Essex, England. I have changed the references to locations in England to locations here in Lancaster County.
“We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, widowed, gay, confused, filthy rich, comfortable, or dirt poor. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying new-borns, skinny as a rake or want to lose a few pounds. You are welcome if you are Old Columbia, New Columbia, Not Columbia, or just passing by.
We welcome you if you can sing like Pavarotti or can’t carry a note in a bucket. You are welcome here if you’re ‘just browsing,’ just woke up, or just got out of prison. We don’t care if you are more Christian than the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Pope, or haven’t been in church since little Jack’s christening.
We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome keep-fit moms, football dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, and junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if you are having problems or you are down in the dumps or if you don’t like ‘organized religion.’ We’ve been there too!
If you blew all your money on the horses, you are welcome here. We offer a welcome to those who think the earth is flat, ‘work too hard,’ don’t work at all, can’t spell, or because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church.
We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down their throat as a kid, or got lost on Route 462 and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers, and doubters, bleeding hearts…and you!”
ALL ARE WELCOME! LET’S MEAN IT!
In the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, there is an art work in the reception area that lists all the reasons one should join the family of museum supporters. It reads
RADICAL HOSPITALITY
The following was posted in Saint Clement Anglican Church, Essex, England. I have changed the references to locations in England to locations here in Lancaster County.
“We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, widowed, gay, confused, filthy rich, comfortable, or dirt poor. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying new-borns, skinny as a rake or want to lose a few pounds. You are welcome if you are Old Columbia, New Columbia, Not Columbia, or just passing by.
We welcome you if you can sing like Pavarotti or can’t carry a note in a bucket. You are welcome here if you’re ‘just browsing,’ just woke up, or just got out of prison. We don’t care if you are more Christian than the Archbishop of Canterbury or the Pope, or haven’t been in church since little Jack’s christening.
We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome keep-fit moms, football dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, and junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if you are having problems or you are down in the dumps or if you don’t like ‘organized religion.’ We’ve been there too!
If you blew all your money on the horses, you are welcome here. We offer a welcome to those who think the earth is flat, ‘work too hard,’ don’t work at all, can’t spell, or because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church.
We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down their throat as a kid, or got lost on Route 462 and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers, and doubters, bleeding hearts…and you!”
ALL ARE WELCOME! LET’S MEAN IT!
In the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, there is an art work in the reception area that lists all the reasons one should join the family of museum supporters. It reads
Belong to something brilliant, electrifying
radical, curious, sharp, moving, breathtaking,
lasting, poignant, furious, shared, enlightening,
revealing, insightful, smart, contemporary,
creative, legendary, engaging, vivid, refreshing,
colorful, introspective, nourishing, uplifting,
informative, giving, energizing, funny, unruly,
visionary, dramatic, current, provocative, bold,
original, distinctive, satisfying, vast, surreal,
dynamic, beautiful, bright, engaging, daring,
interactive, elevating, thoughtful, continuous,
challenging
radical, curious, sharp, moving, breathtaking,
lasting, poignant, furious, shared, enlightening,
revealing, insightful, smart, contemporary,
creative, legendary, engaging, vivid, refreshing,
colorful, introspective, nourishing, uplifting,
informative, giving, energizing, funny, unruly,
visionary, dramatic, current, provocative, bold,
original, distinctive, satisfying, vast, surreal,
dynamic, beautiful, bright, engaging, daring,
interactive, elevating, thoughtful, continuous,
challenging
These are the very same reasons that you should come and join us here at Saint Paul! We may be a small Parish Family but that does not stop us from living out the words printed above.
Saint Paul is a parish steeped in history yet living in the 21st century. Our lives together are nourished by the Word of God in the Scriptures and the Bread of Life at the Table of the Lord.
Our Mission is:
“Together Building the Kingdom of God” and we do that in so many ways – prayer, preaching, Christian Formation, social interaction, outreach ministry, etc.
If you are a member of Saint Paul, we hope that you find this web site useful and helpful to keep up-to-date with what is going on in the parish.
If you are not a member, we hope that our web site will entice you to come and pray with us and find out what really makes Saint Paul such a great place - it's warm and loving people – all brothers and sisters on a common pilgrimage to the fullness of the Kingdom of God. If you are searching for a church, we hope that you will join us on our faith journey. All are invited! All are welcome! All are expected!
If you have a pastoral need, whether or not you are a member of Saint Paul, do not hesitate to contact us and let us help you in any way that we can.
If you would like the Rector to visit you, or would like a home communion / visit please call us and let us know. If you or a loved one are in the hospital, please call us so that we can come and pray with you or your loved one.
We welcome comments and feedback on our web site. If you have suggestions for parish activities or programs, please let us know.
Saint Paul is a parish steeped in history yet living in the 21st century. Our lives together are nourished by the Word of God in the Scriptures and the Bread of Life at the Table of the Lord.
Our Mission is:
“Together Building the Kingdom of God” and we do that in so many ways – prayer, preaching, Christian Formation, social interaction, outreach ministry, etc.
If you are a member of Saint Paul, we hope that you find this web site useful and helpful to keep up-to-date with what is going on in the parish.
If you are not a member, we hope that our web site will entice you to come and pray with us and find out what really makes Saint Paul such a great place - it's warm and loving people – all brothers and sisters on a common pilgrimage to the fullness of the Kingdom of God. If you are searching for a church, we hope that you will join us on our faith journey. All are invited! All are welcome! All are expected!
If you have a pastoral need, whether or not you are a member of Saint Paul, do not hesitate to contact us and let us help you in any way that we can.
If you would like the Rector to visit you, or would like a home communion / visit please call us and let us know. If you or a loved one are in the hospital, please call us so that we can come and pray with you or your loved one.
We welcome comments and feedback on our web site. If you have suggestions for parish activities or programs, please let us know.