Greetings …

You are welcome – I am welcome
We are welcome to be Jesus’ friend

The invitation of the Triune God (creator, liberator and comforter) is addressed to each of us, and is highlighted in these words which form the chorus of You are Welcome by Snack Music.  This invitation is one of welcome, and one that invites us to make our story part of God’s story.  It is in the welcome of this belonging that we are enabled to live in hope.

This invitation from God is also an invitation that we are called to share with one another.  This call is a call that is placed on us as both individuals and members in community. 

Koonung Heights is known to be a welcoming congregation.  Since the opening of the original Methodist Church on this site in 1952, there has been cooperation and with other denominations including the local Presbyterian congregation.  Following church closures members from Mont Albert Uniting Church were warmly welcomed to Koonung Heights, and in 2014 St Columba’s Uniting Church congregation amalgamated with Koonung Heights, furthering some of the strong relationships that already existed between the different congregations. 

Of course there have also been individuals who have also come to Koonung Heights independent of any congregation.  They have been welcomed and many have come to call this congregation home. 

The fact that people are able to call a new place home, and then welcome others to it, has a lot to do with what is meant when we actually say ‘Welcome’.  Is welcome just about getting people in the door or is it allowing people to participate fully in the community?  We all know what it is like to hear the word ‘welcome’ but still feel that we don’t really belong. 

If we want to live up to our reputation of being a welcoming church, let us continue to extend that welcome to those who are not like us.  Let us invite them to participate fully in our community and let us continue to be open to learn from one another as we create a new community.

Blessings – Heather.