A Welcome
A simple word, yet with so much value. Recently I visited Bristol Cathedral.
There were several things about this sacred space that I appreciated – the heart rending story of the shame of the slave trade, displayed in words and pictures; the painful exhibition of the pain and damage caused by the war against Ukraine; the beauty of the organ being played whilst we were there.
But most of all the welcome.
These are some of the words you read on entering the cathedral:
“We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, or widowed, straight, gay, or bisexual, cis, trans or non-binary, or don’t like labels. You are welcome whatever your colour, race, tribe, culture or language.
You are welcome here if you are just browsing, just woken up or just out of prison. We don’t mind if you’re more Christian than the Archbishop of Canterbury, haven’t been to church since you were a child, follow a different faith, or have no faith.
We welcome you if you are having problems, feeling blue, or just need some headspace. We offer a special welcome to the who could use a prayer right now, have given up on organised religion, or got lost in the city centre and ended up here by mistake.”
Like the cathedral, I welcome seekers, doubters – and especially you!
