Beryl Dowsett
I was born and raised in Leeds, West Yorkshire and though I have lived down here for 48 years, lots of old habits die hard. I realised this when talking to Peter Ginnings about the difficulties people find in talking to some new at church. To be frank, the natural reaction is to mentally curl one�s toes with embarrassment if going beyond The Peace at the 10.30 service. We all vary, some want to come, worship and go, remaining anonymous. It�s then off putting to be pressured into taking the role of host.
Where�s the connection with Leeds? Stand at a bus stop and wait for someone to join the queue. After a few minutes they will ask you if a particular numbered bus has already come and gone. Sometimes that will develop into a conversation � often a complaint � about transport or anything else which may seem relevant. Well, it is hard to do that in London; you cannot tell whether a person is a local or not, or speaks the same language. Not so when I�m in my home town, it is where I belong, so I feel an affinity with other people, known or unknown, I�m at home.
Perhaps we might regard where we regularly worship as �home� albeit a spiritual one, so in some way the other people present are guests in �our� house. Does that make it easier to greet the person sitting next to you or in front, behind or within reach by saying �good morning� �welcome� or adding your name if that feels right? Sometimes these small beginnings lead to lifelong friendships as we all add to our role as the body of Christ.