Just before the Covid era, Casey and Liz Wiedenman and their children Lucy and Cora were living in Crystal and attending a Catholic Church. Both of the parents were educators and ultimately decided to move to the district where Casey worked at CPBA. Once they had settled in Brooklyn Park, Covid had arrived, so they couldn’t visit churches. Thankfully, they started watching services on TV. After watching several church broadcasts, they felt something at Advent was a little different. They even felt welcomed electronically. Because they enjoyed Advent’s electronic services, they decided to visit. What impressed them was how friendly and welcoming the church was. Casey even ran into a former student, Abby Meindl, who was so excited to see him.
When they first started attending, people at the door warmly welcomed them and showed them where the name tags were. The whole interaction felt very comfortable: yet as time went on, people were calling them by name and joining them for coffee and conversation in the fellowship hall. This was a church that shook their hand, knew their name, and ate with them. During the conversations, members would also let the family know how they could get involved. The invitation to serve impressed the family. Casey knew a Lutheran Pastor who was warm, welcoming, and dedicated; Advent reminded him of that Lutheran pastor.
As time went on, Lucy and Cora got involved in student activities. Casey and Liz were impressed with the way their kids were embraced by the church community. They started thinking seriously about membership and volunteering. Casey was invited to run for council. He was quite surprised that a new member would be asked, but he embraced the idea, ran, and was elected. As time has passed, the family has decided what other places they can serve because people have warmly invited them. From the pastors to their neighbor Betsy Cardinal to other members of the congregation, they have been invited to serve, which has impressed them greatly.
The Wiedenman’s experience describes what being a welcoming church has meant to them—shaking hands, knowing a name, sharing fellowship, and inviting participation in the congregation’s ministry. Thank you, members of Advent, for your loving actions and your financial support for ministries that allow visitors and members to fill their hearts with love and service.
