Names are a big deal. With a name we feel known, heard, and seen. Names are so important that we see it throughout scripture—the first human is given charge to name things in creation, the disciples are often given new names (think of Peter, the Rock), and we also observe Holy Name Day, commemorating when Jesus is named by his parents. Names make all of the difference and, at the same time, I can't tell you the number of times that I have blanked on someone's name, even as I know that I know them. You know the feeling. It does not feel great for anyone involved. And, of course, we're human. So, we need help, and it's good to admit it! "I'm Nick, can you remind me of your name!" One of the ways we do this at church is to wear our nametags—it is an important act of welcome and hospitality. We do it for one another; to call each other by name. I remind us of this as we undertake a new effort with our name tags. You'll see it unfolding in the coming weeks. Our name tags holder at the back of the church will be replaced by a wall-mounted system to hold our nametags. The Property Committee has worked on this for the past several months, and I'm looking forward to this new set-up to make our names available to one another and free up room to make our space more welcoming, inviting, and open. These small things make a big difference—and they are reminders that it is the small ways of being welcoming that grow together to help make our church a community open to all—a community where we work together, to know and be known, to work to call each other by name.
See you on Sunday,
Nick
