Just as you are

I used the word welcome as one of the words to describe my faith, only it then didn't sit easily so I have explored the thought a little. I know I can overthink things, but I do believe the words we use can be important as they are expressions of all that's underneath (and at the end of the day they are only words so not to be taken too seriously either...)

So, welcome. I like to be welcomed – I've been to places where I have felt welcome, and places where I haven't. I'm very aware that lots of our perception as to how welcome we are is due to what is going on for us inside - we can interpret people's reactions according to our expectations. My concern is that sometimes welcome could be patronising – a bit like the word tolerance – depending what kind of positions are adopted. So if someone who already feels welcome and has no doubts that they are tolerated as in their mind there is nothing to tolerate, who holds maybe mainstream identities, tries to show welcome/tolerance to someone who is often “mariginalised” then there's a whole power thing going on I don't like.

When I'm somewhere I feel comfortable, cos it's a place I attend a lot/am familiar with, I want to welcome others who are perhaps there for the first time. (And I have welcomed others when I myself have been somewhere for the first time - welcome can - and ought to be - like that). But I don't want to imply that I have any more right to be there or am more/less important, or that “despite” their differences from me they are welcome. That's where welcome can be patronising – the whole concept that I'm more “ok” and that someone else should feel gratitude if I accept them. I don't always get it right – in my eagerness to welcome others I may well scare someone off. And others don't always get it right around me. But I guess we're all doing our best :)

A fab friend suggested the Nirvana song “come as you are” be used in worship, and I love that idea – for each one of us to be accepted, delighted in, just as we are and not shot down. Hope wherever you are and wherever you go, you know that you are welcome and wanted, just as you are.