December 18, 2024 • 26 mins
Come for the holidays, stay for the community! To make the most of your congregation's holiday season, pay attention to what's on your January calendar. Are there the events that newcomers need to successfully connect? In this Growing Congregations strategy session with Peter Bowden, we discuss specific connecting events to help facilitate New Year participation in congregational life.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
All right, we're live. So I'm Peter Bowden.
(00:00):
In this Strategy Session, we'relooking at holiday outreach to strategy
but specifically,how can we use events in the New Year
to encourage peopleto attend holiday events?
And services and really moveinto participation after the new year?
(00:20):
very often
we have newcomers come to holidayservices.
People are excited.
There's newcomers lots of people, fabulous
warmth, cheer,meaning all these amazing things.
We put in so much effort.
But often I hearthat people are disappointed
with not as many of those peoplefollowing through
(00:44):
the followingthrough with visiting afterwards.
Now, one of the things that happensduring the holidays
is that people are researchingcongregations.
They're looking for connection.
They're startingto think about the new year and what's
what are they going to do in terms of,
(01:04):
you know, are they going to connectwith the congregation?
One of the things I talk about in my workwith congregations is increasingly
people research congregations onlinebefore they visit.
And this includesattending holiday services.
And so in this session,we're going to talk about what can you do
in terms of communication about whatyou're doing over the holidays and beyond.
(01:27):
So as you're doing your outreach
and communicationabout your holiday services, et cetera,
how can you communicate in a waythat really helps people connect
or feel like if they participate,they are going to connect?
It's not going to be too hard. Right.
So that's a real key psychological factorfor people when they visit.
(01:50):
Are they going to cometo the holiday service and what's next?
We're going to talk about specific events
that I encourage youto think about having in January.
You may very likelyalready have these events or I talked to
why it's good to have certainkind of events on your calendar when
you're promoting your
(02:11):
holiday services, there's still time.
And then I want to talk a little bitabout specific video outreach strategy
that you could easily do this holidayseason.
And just, you know,
if you after
this session is over, I post all the notes
to my website
www.peterbowden.live on the blog
(02:35):
and so have all the notesand some other links about video strategy.
I'm working on an e-booktaking the the core strategies.
I've been working with congregationson for years now from before the pandemic
all the way throughjust trying to make that accessible.
So e-book on video strategyfor thriving congregations,
corresponding video course online course
(02:59):
about video strategy,which the next enrollment period
will be opening up very soon,like later this week.
So let's get into
really this
opportunity that we have with newcomers
and we should say people who are maybe
reconnecting with your congregation
(03:19):
have this opportunitythat the holidays really pull people in.
Maybe there's nostalgia, maybe peoplejust love the tradition people have hopes,
wants, needs, and your congregationis offering fabulous services.
Our opportunity
I think, is to really lead
(03:39):
increasingly with the promise
of connection and community
people are really struggling now,
social isolation, being busy,not having friends.
The statistics around how many peopleare really close confidants,
true friends,that they can do life with it.
(04:00):
It's really it's challenging.
So well, I encourage us to dois really take your holiday message
and think about how do we weave in
connection and communityaround everything you're doing.
So think about what is the
the messagethat you're offering on your holidays.
(04:22):
But I want you to really thinkthat if you're going to have the people,
newcomers,maybe people who've been away, who kind of
come back for that, your holiday services,if you want them to stick around,
we need to prioritize connectionand relationship.
And that means having on the calendar
specific events that are going to occurwhen they're attending your service.
(04:43):
Maybe they're looking at your websitein advance,
looking at communicationsabout the services,
kind of the buildup of attentionleading to the services
that you're offering that theythat you're actually talking about
coming for
the holidays and staying for community,
for, you know, reconnectingfor all the things that they aspire
(05:06):
for, that you're working ondoing that together in community.
So I would love in your communication.
Like if you as a leadership teams,volunteers, clergy, staff, volunteers,
look at your communicationsfor the holidays
and then also looking to the new year.
How often is connection and communityand the new year in there?
(05:27):
So connection community, new year,
we really want to be weavingin those messages, those signals
as we're talking about the holidaysso that when people do come,
they've been thinking about it,they're primed.
And I know some some of you do not like
doing announcements about eventsand whatnot around the holiday service.
(05:47):
It's just your Christmas Eve serviceor whatever.
You're offering different traditionstuning in.
But I want you think about can you have
a sheet
of paper that listsall these connecting events for January?
Is there one thing you can sayin your opening
(06:09):
that prioritizes and affirms, invites
people into community in the New Year?
So really think about that.
I think as I've reviewed contentonline, looked at Christmas Eve services
very often, just like it'sso glad to be so glad we're here together
and it's almost like we make this holidayservice box where we're just going to do
(06:32):
those beautiful thingbut not deliver on community after.
So let's move into what are the
the kind of eventsI think if you want to help people connect
after the new year, your holiday visitors,what can we offer now?
If you're tuning in, live free,what do you think are the
(06:54):
the ultimate
connecting events for newcomers?
And also just note, if you're watchingthe replay, you can share questions
and thoughts in the replayand I'll reply there as well.
So for me,there are certain classic things.
We do seem very basic
but as I work with congregations and tuneinto what's happening, a lot of these
(07:18):
have suffered over the recent last years,the pandemic number one,
I love and value in terms of ministry
strategy, a great game night.
So it's an holidays and game that.
Peter, you're talking game nightsand holiday outreach strategy. Yes.
If you're a newcomer,one of the things that's easiest
(07:41):
to imagine is like,oh, we can have fun together.
I know how to play games.
I, I get that.
So think about the psychological statelike I'm moving into this new community.
What's it going to be like? I say, oh,
it's like a lifeline.
Oh, this is a a game night.
I can handle that.
(08:02):
And we can if you have intergenerationalcommunity game nights are awesome.
If you have
maybe not the age diversity age range,it's still great.
And that can promote people comingwho have families.
And even if you don't have a great programset up for for children and families,
they can connect.
(08:23):
Now, one thing that's important is
peopledo not connect as easily on their own.
These days.
We need to be doing moreabout a more intentional connection,
making and facilitating of communitybuilding as we
offer our ongoing events. So
(08:45):
when you when you offer different eventsmoving forward into the New Year,
I want you to think abouthow can you add in
not like formal, like, oh, we'reall going to do get to know you games
and like people might get a little bitlike, oh, that's not what I want to do.
It's too much.
But small thingslike when you're doing a newcomer a
(09:06):
game night and you promote it to newcomersand the newcomers,
you look around the room and say,Hey, we have a bunch of newcomers here.
Maybe you've welcomed them already.They're starting to play some game.
You said, Hey, about halfway through
we want to offer,and if you are interested,
we're going to do a little tourof the whole building.
There's a tour, talk about a few things,
(09:29):
a tour can bring newcomers
and other newcomers together, connect,help them connect with each other.
That almost formslike a little newcomer class,
and they help each otherfeel like we're doing this together.
So that's a great strategy.
Connects newcomers with each other.
And then also what arewhat are simple games that you can do
(09:50):
very quickly that just
help people share their story names?
I love just doing things like, hey, let's,let's take a pause from the game.
Games is very quicklywherever you are, you know, like
just partner up and share the storyof how you came to be here.
Just little things like thatcan go a long, long way.
(10:10):
All right.
Next up,
whether or not you are looking
to grow your children's program or not
or maybe you don't have one,I think it's fantastic.
For us to be supporting families,all congregations.
And if you're looking to growyour family program,
a great way to do thatis to offer a family circle.
(10:33):
So think about a small group gathering.
Could be before serviceduring a coffee hour
that follows a service,maybe some other time during the week.
I like doing it either beforeor after a regular at your service time,
because that's bringingpotential newcomers into contact
with that prime timeof what you do on a weekly cycle.
(10:54):
But imagine a hot topic related to
things that parents care about.
So you might do a session like aI in our children's future
where you get some peoplein your congregation
who are kind of tuning in to aI talk a little bit about with them about,
you know,what are the implications for our future,
(11:17):
what's what parent,what my parents be thinking about.
But have some of your coreleaders, educator,
other welcome team members
have a conversationwhere you're not teaching and preaching,
but you're making space for what
parents concerns ideas are
(11:38):
there needs to building relationships
so that could be a parent circleon really anything but if you think about
like what do you thinkfamilies are dealing with now
offering a parent circle is a great way
for new families who are coming byaround the holidays to be here.
(11:59):
Oh, there's a parent circleon a hot topic.
What does that communicate one?
Well, it's on a hot topicthat I'm interested in.
So I'm curious tooh, there are other parents here.
There might be
only just two families show up to parents.
You could have ten,you can have 20, who knows?
But it kind of works,no matter how many people show up
(12:22):
because of a small group of leadershelping to facilitate that event.
You're making connectionsand you might if you have
existing families in your congregation,then invite them as well.
And that's a great way to connect people.
Newcomers very rapidly through discussion,sharing ideas, love it.
(12:42):
And as we go, feel freeto share other ideas in your congregation.
All right.
Another idea, this from the chatnew to you, you class.
I absolutely think offering
a newcomer class is fantastic.
And so I'm going to for right now,
I think I would if I were togo to a fifth, that would be my fifth.
Whatever your newcomer offering is,whether a Unitarian Universalist
(13:05):
another tradition.
So the next one. Number three,
I think it would be fantastic.
So you have a game night parents circlethose can kind of be
around the same time of the beginningof the month, second week who knows
but mid-month have a in January
a small group open house
(13:27):
what is a small group open house.
You know what an open houseis some organized organizations
oh have an open house
and you go in there's like you can hearabout different things
and kind of think of it like
you've ever gone to a school curriculumnight like a high school.
I have a teenager.
My my teen is 16 now he will leave it upthey will let you go around
(13:50):
and talk to all different classteachers here about the program.
What I think we should be doingas congregations is say,
hey, we're doing a small group open housewhere
maybe it's rightafter the service on a certain Sunday.
It could be a Saturday morning,it could be an evening you choose. But
have your
(14:11):
have people gather leadersfrom your different group programs
very quickly on an index cardlike 2 minutes tops.
Sure.
This is what our suchand such group is about.
This is when we gather, how we gather
and why this group is meaningful to me.
And maybe some of the things
we hear about the value of the programfrom our participants so whether it's
(14:36):
an affinity group on a specific interest,ongoing small groups,
whatever group opportunities
you offer imagine leaders
or at least a handful, maybe you only dolike five different offerings.
Your ongoing small group session,a book group,
some other thing you decide.
(14:58):
Maybe not do everything, all your groupsif you have many groups,
but then the newcomersand people interested
in connectingcan come here very briefly about them.
But then you break up
and for a certain amount of timeit can be 20 minutes, half an hour,
go and have a little mini
group sessionhosted by that group's leaders.
(15:22):
And then after that cycle 20, 30 minutesyou can go and go to a different group.
So imagine, hey, we have a sci fi group
that talks about spiritualityand sci fi meets whatever this time is.
But you can go to that.
And here's our ongoing small groupministry program.
Here's our hiking group.
(15:42):
What are the
groups that your congregationshave dropped in the chat?
There's so many groups we offer,but the thing is,
I continually find that newcomers
aren't sure they're anxious.
And so anything, not all.
I know that, but many need help
getting into group experiences.
(16:04):
So by creating an opportunity where
and again, this could be rightafter a service on a Sunday,
you're giving people access to your groupleaders, you're hearing stories
and you're giving them the opportunityto gather in a circle
with others and talk, share some stories.
And it's actually participatory.
(16:25):
You give them an easy, no long commitment,
opportunity to try that group
potluck number four.
Now, again, this is not rocket science.
The thingis, it's, it's like more important
than that, it's community eating together.
(16:45):
Coming togetherlike that is a classic, classic, classic
congregational intergenerational communityoffering.
But many times congregationswill be focusing on
like thatthe holidays, getting through the year.
And when you look atwhat's happening right after the holidays,
there isn't always a clear,
(17:06):
intentional,strategic connecting series of events
that sounds kind of like that was a book,a series of unfortunate events.
We're not talking about that.
We're talking about a series of very goodand very helpful,
meaningful connecting events for newcomersthat are intentionally designed
or placedafter that big holiday coming together.
(17:29):
So does that make sense that you know,we can offer events throughout the year,
but that the not necessarilywhere newcomers need them.
And so I thinkone of the biggest takeaways
that I'd like you to leave withor take from this is
we can be helpful
in caring and supportive of newcomers,
(17:51):
those coming to our holiday events,anything around the holidays.
And then all the people think aboutthe people who start looking to connect
around the new year.
And make sure that within January
that we are offering some like thisthis foundational community events.
I think that's a good wayto think about it, that I think it's
(18:12):
a foundational series of community events
placed strategicallybecause we know that when newcomers
need them now.
I said in game night
there are things we can do to promotemore.
Game nights are good for connecting peoplejust generally.
But, you know, to be able to have greeterslike somebody
(18:35):
who kind of knows your community,who's welcoming people,
and if there are newcomerswho come actually do a good job
of welcoming them and helping them getconnected is fantastic.
Icebreakers, little quick, easy, more
personal sharing icebreakerspeppered throughout a game night
can be fantasticname tags, of course, for Parent Circle,
(18:57):
same sort of thing that to know who's newand to be able to
welcome them and do introductions, briefintroductions within that kind of event
for a small group open house,I think again, that's an opportunity where
you could say
if there if there are newcomers
(19:17):
who participateyou might have an opportunity
to connectwith someone from your congregations.
Welcome team for one of the sessions.
So imagine you have a period where
people talk about the groups and say,oh, there's
going to be three, three,or maybe just two opportunities
for people to go and try or talkwith different group leaders.
(19:37):
And get a sense ofwhat the groups are like.
But there's also going to bea welcome team
circle where anyone who is new
who wants to talk with our welcome teamcan do so within that context.
So you're almost like putting a littlewelcome table in newcomers circle,
right within the context of a small group,
(20:00):
open house, almost a sampleror a small group sampling.
And again, the for a potluck
we don't want to domassive introductions, a potluck.
But if if you're having peoplesit at tables, you might do something like
at a certain time, say
(20:22):
now get people's attention
and say we want to we have a lot ofwe have some some newcomers here.
And also we don't all know each other
this is a great opportunityto share some stories.
We want to invite those of you who areinterested maybe decide this as a table.
Just take a momentand share some stories about
how you came to be hereat your congregation name.
(20:46):
So maybe it's not.
You're forcing everyone to dosharing stories and journeys
but you kind of makea spark of that opportunity.
So that can be fantastic.
Now, let's talk video outreach strategy.
Any questions before I jump in?
Feel free to drop that in the chat.
And again, we'll have the replaywith captions notes posted on my website.
(21:09):
And then
also in a little bit viathe podcast on my website,
you can access the podcast WW up
Peter Bowden Dot Live Slash Podcast.
So I take all the audio from live streams
and share via audioso you can listen to them anywhere.
All right.
Now I've been talking with conversation
about video strategyfor as long as we've had digital video.
(21:32):
I actually went and studied digital filminstead of going to seminary,
I was already married to a minister, oneminister was enough in the family anyway.
So imaginepeople who are thinking about, Oh,
do I want to connect with a congregationthis holiday?
Season?
And then all the people,
(21:53):
it's not even on their radarto even think about
going to a congregationthat they maybe have no community
or maybe they just haven't done that everbefore.
There's so many people just waiting
for your invitation,so how can we do that via video?
I think to
stand in front of your congregation
(22:14):
or inside your sanctuarywhere there's some beautiful holiday
decorations up, you know,kind of like leading up to the service.
Maybe they're up already and
have someone with a tripodwith your smartphone
record, a video of you as a leader.
If you have a minister, it'sgreat to be a minister.
It could be someone else saying,you know, a
(22:36):
warm welcome that,you know, you're so and so.
And in this holiday seasonat your congregation, we're gathering
and talk about your values,like what's your focus?
But then say
and you know,we know that many of you are looking
to connect in community congregationslike ours.
We are nowwe are an intergenerational community
(22:59):
in the heart of your city.
You know, that's working on A, B and C,and in January,
we have a great set of eventsreally designed to help you connect
we're doing absolutely everything,Peter said with a game night,
small group, open house parents circle
and a potluck followed by the newcomerevent in early February.
(23:22):
Now, all right, but just
don't
don't pretend like don't be all strategic
and like we're going to set this upand maybe people will come.
They know this is authentic invitation,you know, welcome.
People share your holiday messageinvitation to your holiday service
and an invitation to connect authentically
(23:46):
because that's what they're looking forwith or those who are
with your congregation and let them knowthat there's an opportunity ready.
That could be a two minute video that youyou record in.
Hardly any time, especially ifyou already know what you're going to say.
And I'll put a little templatein our notes.
(24:06):
Then imagine that being posted
to your Facebook page,any social media channels you have.
And then if you're using Facebook,you can click I want to boost that.
And then you say push that to everyonewho's liked our congregations page,
whether it's 200 or 500 or 50.
(24:27):
But so that all of our existing membersand people
who have connected with our pagepreviously see that.
But then you can also tell Facebookand I love Facebook for this reason,
to share it with people in our ZIP code.
We're kind of like our existing page
community.
(24:47):
So it's like we call it a look alikeaudience.
So the people kind of like and care aboutthe things that your existing members
like and care about.
You can say, so my holiday invitationto everyone within ten miles
who kind of likes what we likeand then the Facebook will just do that.
And so for very long you could do a $50 ad
(25:08):
and how many potential peoplecould connect as a result.
So I think the ad strategy
can pay for itself if we offera compelling, warm welcome, a message
you're actually offering a real value,really speak to people's hopes,
wants, needs, what they're looking forand offer the events
(25:30):
betterto make it easier for them to connect.
So that's kind of thetake the holiday opportunity
people coming to your congregationmakes you really wrap around.
It's like highlight featureconnection community
and a clear set of offeringsafter the holidays.
You know, whatever events
you already have in January,if it's different from what I said,
(25:52):
use the exact same approach,but just feature your existing events,
your existing programs.
Maybe it's just
the enrollment period, open enrollmentfor your next small group series,
whatever you have,
whateveryour offering of value is fantastic.
But we just really feature itin a more prominent way
(26:13):
around connection and communityand starting the New Year together.
All right. Thank you all for being here.
If you have questions,feel free to drop them in the chat.
Email me if you're on my email list
All right, we're live. So I'm Peter Bowden.
(00:00):
In this Strategy Session, we'relooking at holiday outreach to strategy
but specifically,how can we use events in the New Year
to encourage peopleto attend holiday events?
And services and really moveinto participation after the new year?
(00:20):
very often
we have newcomers come to holidayservices.
People are excited.
There's newcomers lots of people, fabulous
warmth, cheer,meaning all these amazing things.
We put in so much effort.
But often I hearthat people are disappointed
with not as many of those peoplefollowing through
(00:44):
the followingthrough with visiting afterwards.
Now, one of the things that happensduring the holidays
is that people are researchingcongregations.
They're looking for connection.
They're startingto think about the new year and what's
what are they going to do in terms of,
(01:04):
you know, are they going to connectwith the congregation?
One of the things I talk about in my workwith congregations is increasingly
people research congregations onlinebefore they visit.
And this includesattending holiday services.
And so in this session,we're going to talk about what can you do
in terms of communication about whatyou're doing over the holidays and beyond.
(01:27):
So as you're doing your outreach
and communicationabout your holiday services, et cetera,
how can you communicate in a waythat really helps people connect
or feel like if they participate,they are going to connect?
It's not going to be too hard. Right.
So that's a real key psychological factorfor people when they visit.
(01:50):
Are they going to cometo the holiday service and what's next?
We're going to talk about specific events
that I encourage youto think about having in January.
You may very likelyalready have these events or I talked to
why it's good to have certainkind of events on your calendar when
you're promoting your
(02:11):
holiday services, there's still time.
And then I want to talk a little bitabout specific video outreach strategy
that you could easily do this holidayseason.
And just, you know,
if you after
this session is over, I post all the notes
to my website
www.peterbowden.live on the blog
(02:35):
and so have all the notesand some other links about video strategy.
I'm working on an e-booktaking the the core strategies.
I've been working with congregationson for years now from before the pandemic
all the way throughjust trying to make that accessible.
So e-book on video strategyfor thriving congregations,
corresponding video course online course
(02:59):
about video strategy,which the next enrollment period
will be opening up very soon,like later this week.
So let's get into
really this
opportunity that we have with newcomers
and we should say people who are maybe
reconnecting with your congregation
(03:19):
have this opportunitythat the holidays really pull people in.
Maybe there's nostalgia, maybe peoplejust love the tradition people have hopes,
wants, needs, and your congregationis offering fabulous services.
Our opportunity
I think, is to really lead
(03:39):
increasingly with the promise
of connection and community
people are really struggling now,
social isolation, being busy,not having friends.
The statistics around how many peopleare really close confidants,
true friends,that they can do life with it.
(04:00):
It's really it's challenging.
So well, I encourage us to dois really take your holiday message
and think about how do we weave in
connection and communityaround everything you're doing.
So think about what is the
the messagethat you're offering on your holidays.
(04:22):
But I want you to really thinkthat if you're going to have the people,
newcomers,maybe people who've been away, who kind of
come back for that, your holiday services,if you want them to stick around,
we need to prioritize connectionand relationship.
And that means having on the calendar
specific events that are going to occurwhen they're attending your service.
(04:43):
Maybe they're looking at your websitein advance,
looking at communicationsabout the services,
kind of the buildup of attentionleading to the services
that you're offering that theythat you're actually talking about
coming for
the holidays and staying for community,
for, you know, reconnectingfor all the things that they aspire
(05:06):
for, that you're working ondoing that together in community.
So I would love in your communication.
Like if you as a leadership teams,volunteers, clergy, staff, volunteers,
look at your communicationsfor the holidays
and then also looking to the new year.
How often is connection and communityand the new year in there?
(05:27):
So connection community, new year,
we really want to be weavingin those messages, those signals
as we're talking about the holidaysso that when people do come,
they've been thinking about it,they're primed.
And I know some some of you do not like
doing announcements about eventsand whatnot around the holiday service.
(05:47):
It's just your Christmas Eve serviceor whatever.
You're offering different traditionstuning in.
But I want you think about can you have
a sheet
of paper that listsall these connecting events for January?
Is there one thing you can sayin your opening
(06:09):
that prioritizes and affirms, invites
people into community in the New Year?
So really think about that.
I think as I've reviewed contentonline, looked at Christmas Eve services
very often, just like it'sso glad to be so glad we're here together
and it's almost like we make this holidayservice box where we're just going to do
(06:32):
those beautiful thingbut not deliver on community after.
So let's move into what are the
the kind of eventsI think if you want to help people connect
after the new year, your holiday visitors,what can we offer now?
If you're tuning in, live free,what do you think are the
(06:54):
the ultimate
connecting events for newcomers?
And also just note, if you're watchingthe replay, you can share questions
and thoughts in the replayand I'll reply there as well.
So for me,there are certain classic things.
We do seem very basic
but as I work with congregations and tuneinto what's happening, a lot of these
(07:18):
have suffered over the recent last years,the pandemic number one,
I love and value in terms of ministry
strategy, a great game night.
So it's an holidays and game that.
Peter, you're talking game nightsand holiday outreach strategy. Yes.
If you're a newcomer,one of the things that's easiest
(07:41):
to imagine is like,oh, we can have fun together.
I know how to play games.
I, I get that.
So think about the psychological statelike I'm moving into this new community.
What's it going to be like? I say, oh,
it's like a lifeline.
Oh, this is a a game night.
I can handle that.
(08:02):
And we can if you have intergenerationalcommunity game nights are awesome.
If you have
maybe not the age diversity age range,it's still great.
And that can promote people comingwho have families.
And even if you don't have a great programset up for for children and families,
they can connect.
(08:23):
Now, one thing that's important is
peopledo not connect as easily on their own.
These days.
We need to be doing moreabout a more intentional connection,
making and facilitating of communitybuilding as we
offer our ongoing events. So
(08:45):
when you when you offer different eventsmoving forward into the New Year,
I want you to think abouthow can you add in
not like formal, like, oh, we'reall going to do get to know you games
and like people might get a little bitlike, oh, that's not what I want to do.
It's too much.
But small thingslike when you're doing a newcomer a
(09:06):
game night and you promote it to newcomersand the newcomers,
you look around the room and say,Hey, we have a bunch of newcomers here.
Maybe you've welcomed them already.They're starting to play some game.
You said, Hey, about halfway through
we want to offer,and if you are interested,
we're going to do a little tourof the whole building.
There's a tour, talk about a few things,
(09:29):
a tour can bring newcomers
and other newcomers together, connect,help them connect with each other.
That almost formslike a little newcomer class,
and they help each otherfeel like we're doing this together.
So that's a great strategy.
Connects newcomers with each other.
And then also what arewhat are simple games that you can do
(09:50):
very quickly that just
help people share their story names?
I love just doing things like, hey, let's,let's take a pause from the game.
Games is very quicklywherever you are, you know, like
just partner up and share the storyof how you came to be here.
Just little things like thatcan go a long, long way.
(10:10):
All right.
Next up,
whether or not you are looking
to grow your children's program or not
or maybe you don't have one,I think it's fantastic.
For us to be supporting families,all congregations.
And if you're looking to growyour family program,
a great way to do thatis to offer a family circle.
(10:33):
So think about a small group gathering.
Could be before serviceduring a coffee hour
that follows a service,maybe some other time during the week.
I like doing it either beforeor after a regular at your service time,
because that's bringingpotential newcomers into contact
with that prime timeof what you do on a weekly cycle.
(10:54):
But imagine a hot topic related to
things that parents care about.
So you might do a session like aI in our children's future
where you get some peoplein your congregation
who are kind of tuning in to aI talk a little bit about with them about,
you know,what are the implications for our future,
(11:17):
what's what parent,what my parents be thinking about.
But have some of your coreleaders, educator,
other welcome team members
have a conversationwhere you're not teaching and preaching,
but you're making space for what
parents concerns ideas are
(11:38):
there needs to building relationships
so that could be a parent circleon really anything but if you think about
like what do you thinkfamilies are dealing with now
offering a parent circle is a great way
for new families who are coming byaround the holidays to be here.
(11:59):
Oh, there's a parent circleon a hot topic.
What does that communicate one?
Well, it's on a hot topicthat I'm interested in.
So I'm curious tooh, there are other parents here.
There might be
only just two families show up to parents.
You could have ten,you can have 20, who knows?
But it kind of works,no matter how many people show up
(12:22):
because of a small group of leadershelping to facilitate that event.
You're making connectionsand you might if you have
existing families in your congregation,then invite them as well.
And that's a great way to connect people.
Newcomers very rapidly through discussion,sharing ideas, love it.
(12:42):
And as we go, feel freeto share other ideas in your congregation.
All right.
Another idea, this from the chatnew to you, you class.
I absolutely think offering
a newcomer class is fantastic.
And so I'm going to for right now,
I think I would if I were togo to a fifth, that would be my fifth.
Whatever your newcomer offering is,whether a Unitarian Universalist
(13:05):
another tradition.
So the next one. Number three,
I think it would be fantastic.
So you have a game night parents circlethose can kind of be
around the same time of the beginningof the month, second week who knows
but mid-month have a in January
a small group open house
(13:27):
what is a small group open house.
You know what an open houseis some organized organizations
oh have an open house
and you go in there's like you can hearabout different things
and kind of think of it like
you've ever gone to a school curriculumnight like a high school.
I have a teenager.
My my teen is 16 now he will leave it upthey will let you go around
(13:50):
and talk to all different classteachers here about the program.
What I think we should be doingas congregations is say,
hey, we're doing a small group open housewhere
maybe it's rightafter the service on a certain Sunday.
It could be a Saturday morning,it could be an evening you choose. But
have your
(14:11):
have people gather leadersfrom your different group programs
very quickly on an index cardlike 2 minutes tops.
Sure.
This is what our suchand such group is about.
This is when we gather, how we gather
and why this group is meaningful to me.
And maybe some of the things
we hear about the value of the programfrom our participants so whether it's
(14:36):
an affinity group on a specific interest,ongoing small groups,
whatever group opportunities
you offer imagine leaders
or at least a handful, maybe you only dolike five different offerings.
Your ongoing small group session,a book group,
some other thing you decide.
(14:58):
Maybe not do everything, all your groupsif you have many groups,
but then the newcomersand people interested
in connectingcan come here very briefly about them.
But then you break up
and for a certain amount of timeit can be 20 minutes, half an hour,
go and have a little mini
group sessionhosted by that group's leaders.
(15:22):
And then after that cycle 20, 30 minutesyou can go and go to a different group.
So imagine, hey, we have a sci fi group
that talks about spiritualityand sci fi meets whatever this time is.
But you can go to that.
And here's our ongoing small groupministry program.
Here's our hiking group.
(15:42):
What are the
groups that your congregationshave dropped in the chat?
There's so many groups we offer,but the thing is,
I continually find that newcomers
aren't sure they're anxious.
And so anything, not all.
I know that, but many need help
getting into group experiences.
(16:04):
So by creating an opportunity where
and again, this could be rightafter a service on a Sunday,
you're giving people access to your groupleaders, you're hearing stories
and you're giving them the opportunityto gather in a circle
with others and talk, share some stories.
And it's actually participatory.
(16:25):
You give them an easy, no long commitment,
opportunity to try that group
potluck number four.
Now, again, this is not rocket science.
The thingis, it's, it's like more important
than that, it's community eating together.
(16:45):
Coming togetherlike that is a classic, classic, classic
congregational intergenerational communityoffering.
But many times congregationswill be focusing on
like thatthe holidays, getting through the year.
And when you look atwhat's happening right after the holidays,
there isn't always a clear,
(17:06):
intentional,strategic connecting series of events
that sounds kind of like that was a book,a series of unfortunate events.
We're not talking about that.
We're talking about a series of very goodand very helpful,
meaningful connecting events for newcomersthat are intentionally designed
or placedafter that big holiday coming together.
(17:29):
So does that make sense that you know,we can offer events throughout the year,
but that the not necessarilywhere newcomers need them.
And so I thinkone of the biggest takeaways
that I'd like you to leave withor take from this is
we can be helpful
in caring and supportive of newcomers,
(17:51):
those coming to our holiday events,anything around the holidays.
And then all the people think aboutthe people who start looking to connect
around the new year.
And make sure that within January
that we are offering some like thisthis foundational community events.
I think that's a good wayto think about it, that I think it's
(18:12):
a foundational series of community events
placed strategicallybecause we know that when newcomers
need them now.
I said in game night
there are things we can do to promotemore.
Game nights are good for connecting peoplejust generally.
But, you know, to be able to have greeterslike somebody
(18:35):
who kind of knows your community,who's welcoming people,
and if there are newcomerswho come actually do a good job
of welcoming them and helping them getconnected is fantastic.
Icebreakers, little quick, easy, more
personal sharing icebreakerspeppered throughout a game night
can be fantasticname tags, of course, for Parent Circle,
(18:57):
same sort of thing that to know who's newand to be able to
welcome them and do introductions, briefintroductions within that kind of event
for a small group open house,I think again, that's an opportunity where
you could say
if there if there are newcomers
(19:17):
who participateyou might have an opportunity
to connectwith someone from your congregations.
Welcome team for one of the sessions.
So imagine you have a period where
people talk about the groups and say,oh, there's
going to be three, three,or maybe just two opportunities
for people to go and try or talkwith different group leaders.
(19:37):
And get a sense ofwhat the groups are like.
But there's also going to bea welcome team
circle where anyone who is new
who wants to talk with our welcome teamcan do so within that context.
So you're almost like putting a littlewelcome table in newcomers circle,
right within the context of a small group,
(20:00):
open house, almost a sampleror a small group sampling.
And again, the for a potluck
we don't want to domassive introductions, a potluck.
But if if you're having peoplesit at tables, you might do something like
at a certain time, say
(20:22):
now get people's attention
and say we want to we have a lot ofwe have some some newcomers here.
And also we don't all know each other
this is a great opportunityto share some stories.
We want to invite those of you who areinterested maybe decide this as a table.
Just take a momentand share some stories about
how you came to be hereat your congregation name.
(20:46):
So maybe it's not.
You're forcing everyone to dosharing stories and journeys
but you kind of makea spark of that opportunity.
So that can be fantastic.
Now, let's talk video outreach strategy.
Any questions before I jump in?
Feel free to drop that in the chat.
And again, we'll have the replaywith captions notes posted on my website.
(21:09):
And then
also in a little bit viathe podcast on my website,
you can access the podcast WW up
Peter Bowden Dot Live Slash Podcast.
So I take all the audio from live streams
and share via audioso you can listen to them anywhere.
All right.
Now I've been talking with conversation
about video strategyfor as long as we've had digital video.
(21:32):
I actually went and studied digital filminstead of going to seminary,
I was already married to a minister, oneminister was enough in the family anyway.
So imaginepeople who are thinking about, Oh,
do I want to connect with a congregationthis holiday?
Season?
And then all the people,
(21:53):
it's not even on their radarto even think about
going to a congregationthat they maybe have no community
or maybe they just haven't done that everbefore.
There's so many people just waiting
for your invitation,so how can we do that via video?
I think to
stand in front of your congregation
(22:14):
or inside your sanctuarywhere there's some beautiful holiday
decorations up, you know,kind of like leading up to the service.
Maybe they're up already and
have someone with a tripodwith your smartphone
record, a video of you as a leader.
If you have a minister, it'sgreat to be a minister.
It could be someone else saying,you know, a
(22:36):
warm welcome that,you know, you're so and so.
And in this holiday seasonat your congregation, we're gathering
and talk about your values,like what's your focus?
But then say
and you know,we know that many of you are looking
to connect in community congregationslike ours.
We are nowwe are an intergenerational community
(22:59):
in the heart of your city.
You know, that's working on A, B and C,and in January,
we have a great set of eventsreally designed to help you connect
we're doing absolutely everything,Peter said with a game night,
small group, open house parents circle
and a potluck followed by the newcomerevent in early February.
(23:22):
Now, all right, but just
don't
don't pretend like don't be all strategic
and like we're going to set this upand maybe people will come.
They know this is authentic invitation,you know, welcome.
People share your holiday messageinvitation to your holiday service
and an invitation to connect authentically
(23:46):
because that's what they're looking forwith or those who are
with your congregation and let them knowthat there's an opportunity ready.
That could be a two minute video that youyou record in.
Hardly any time, especially ifyou already know what you're going to say.
And I'll put a little templatein our notes.
(24:06):
Then imagine that being posted
to your Facebook page,any social media channels you have.
And then if you're using Facebook,you can click I want to boost that.
And then you say push that to everyonewho's liked our congregations page,
whether it's 200 or 500 or 50.
(24:27):
But so that all of our existing membersand people
who have connected with our pagepreviously see that.
But then you can also tell Facebookand I love Facebook for this reason,
to share it with people in our ZIP code.
We're kind of like our existing page
community.
(24:47):
So it's like we call it a look alikeaudience.
So the people kind of like and care aboutthe things that your existing members
like and care about.
You can say, so my holiday invitationto everyone within ten miles
who kind of likes what we likeand then the Facebook will just do that.
And so for very long you could do a $50 ad
(25:08):
and how many potential peoplecould connect as a result.
So I think the ad strategy
can pay for itself if we offera compelling, warm welcome, a message
you're actually offering a real value,really speak to people's hopes,
wants, needs, what they're looking forand offer the events
(25:30):
betterto make it easier for them to connect.
So that's kind of thetake the holiday opportunity
people coming to your congregationmakes you really wrap around.
It's like highlight featureconnection community
and a clear set of offeringsafter the holidays.
You know, whatever events
you already have in January,if it's different from what I said,
(25:52):
use the exact same approach,but just feature your existing events,
your existing programs.
Maybe it's just
the enrollment period, open enrollmentfor your next small group series,
whatever you have,
whateveryour offering of value is fantastic.
But we just really feature itin a more prominent way
(26:13):
around connection and communityand starting the New Year together.
All right. Thank you all for being here.
If you have questions,feel free to drop them in the chat.
Email me if you're on my email list
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