Safe!
Home safe!
A welcome mat of rainbows
Hands outstretched to clasp the stranger.
Love, you are the power lifting our open arms
The thought enabling our inclusion
The spirit warming our hearts to the ‘other’,
Reminding us that we are ‘other’ to them.
Emmanuel, yours is the face they wear,
Yours is the clan they claim
Placing them fully at our family table
Celebrating your meal together.
Forgive us when we limit our welcome,
When we put out a welcome mat of only one colour,
Or forget that you have names in many languages –
Love, Emmanuel, God, Allah, Nkulunkulu, Deo, Grace,
[insert names for God from any languages].
Forgive us when we see your face only in our own reflection.
Empower us to stretch our welcoming arms wider,
To add
more colours to our welcome mat,
To make this church safe for all,
A safe home for everyone.
Originally published in the United Reformed 2023 Church Prayer Handbook. under the theme ‘Cities of Sanctuary’
Photo: Welcome at Kirkland United Church of Christ, Washington USA, photo by Martha Baldwin (apologies for the lack of focus)
