Newcomer Parties!
A few times a year we gather up those who have recently visited, or who have been hanging around, or who have officially joined in the last year - and then we combine them with some of us who have been around a while and throw a party!
These fun events are held in someone's home, usually over brunch or dinner. We eat and chat, we hear stories of how each of us meandered our way to this community. We talk about what membership means and answer questions and if there are kids we also tell a Godly Play story. (Godly Play is a particular, non-directive way of telling scripture stories and is the core of our Sunday School program).
The next day is a Sunday, and those who would like to be formally welcomed by the congregation have a chance to introduce themselves and hear the congregation offer to "sing and pray their way with them through the seasons and cylces of this life".