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Welcome Center
Our Welcome Center is located just outside the narthex, in the Gathering Place. It is a wonderful resource for guests of our church as well as our church family. An invitation is extended during each worship service encouraging those visiting with us for the first time to stop by and receive a gift bag, a symbol of our hospitality. At the Welcome Center, you will find brochures about our programs and activities, information on Methodism, and a person to greet you and answer questions you may have regarding Central United Methodist Church. We also invite you to stop by before or after the service and sign our guest register, the better for us to extend a welcoming greeting. The Welcome Center came about as the result of Jo Allen and Esther Harmon returning from winter vacations and after sharing experiences, arrived at the conclusion that many churches had a specific place to welcome visitors. As a result the Welcome Hospitality team arrive at the design of the kiosk (below) and a host is on duty every Sunday to welcome visitors to our church. We welcome all and if you would like to be a member of this ministry just contact the church at 946-5191.
The Welcome Center Kiosk was designed and built by Mark Wyskochil. He was able to secure a great discount on the materials from Brown Lumber and Scott Williams. Stratous Marble and Granite Co. also gave us a discount on the price, cutting, and finishing the granite top. Jeff Williams, son of Sam Williams, donated the oak wood used for the trim. The Wills and Memorial Committee appropriated funds for it being in memory of Sam Williams.
Central United Methodist Church has been recognized by United Methodist Communications (UMCom) as an official "Welcoming Congregation." "Welcoming Congregations" are a select group of United Methodist Congregations nationwide that meets criteria including embracing newcomers and providing opportunities in discipleship. Central Church is among only 16 United Methodist churches in Michigan to receive this national certification and the first in the Grand Traverse District. A plaque and official welcoming seal were presented to Pastors Dale Ostema and Chris Lane by Jo Allen and Esther Harmon, co-chairs of Central’s Welcome Team, on August 15, 2009, during the weekly outdoor community worship service at Sunset Park. At Central Church, welcoming is not just the task of a committee or individual, but rather a lifestyle shared by each member of the congregation. One of Central’s core values is to "welcome all persons to a warm and friendly downtown church. "When we truly welcome people, we open our doors and show that church is not just a place to go, but something we do," said Esther Harmon, co-chair of the Welcome Team, "We are connecting them with people in our communities and around the world." The welcoming certification program is a four year program that celebrates and recognizes the efforts to proactively prepare to receive newcomers and is operated nationally by the communications organization of the United Methodist Church.
The Welcome Team members have teamed up with the Creation Stewards to offer our congregation an Eco-friendly shopping bag with the church's logo printed on it. They are being given to all new members and will be offered to all others for $3.00 apiece. They will be on sale at the Welcome Center, Advent Night, and at the office. Using this bag when you go shopping helps the environment as well as promotes Central United Methodist Church to all with whom we come in contact. These shopping bags would make nice stocking stuffers.
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