Ron Price – Farmington, New Mexico … The social committee at the Piñon Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church in Farmington, New Mexico, planned a welcome-and-get-acquainted ice cream social to welcome their new district pastor and his wife, Steve and Samantha Nelson, May 25. Members were asked to bring “finger foods,” and the social committee provided the ice cream and toppings. They also took time to enhance the fellowship hall with festive décor. All four churches in the district were invited to attend.
“It happens far too often. A pastor couple comes to a new church and community, and they are left on their own to figure out the best stores, service providers, attractions, etc.,” remarked Ron Price, Piñon Hills Church elder. “In the secular world, a company called Welcome Wagon solicits coupons and advertisements from local businesses to give out to people who move into the community. At the Piñon Hills Church, we decided we should provide the same service (ministry) to our new pastor couple Steve and Samantha Nelson.”
Gift cards to various local restaurants and specialty stores were provided. “No offense to the more well-known national chains,” continued Price, “but we wanted to introduce them to their new area. We also included pretend gift cards to local disreputable establishments just to add to the [brevity of the] festivities.”
Members brought business cards from their favorite mechanics, hairdressers, medical providers, etc. They also wrote out personalized gift certificates for dinner at their home or an offer to take them to the nearby Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado or other attractions in the area. Also included in their gift basket were magazines from the local Convention & Visitors Bureau showing hiking trails and other benefits the community has to offer.
To help the Nelson’s get to know their new church family, and for the church members to know each other a bit better, they played two games called “Mix and Match” and “This or That.” “Though it is a cliché, it is safe to say, ‘a good time was had by all,’” bantered Price.
“Our move to New Mexico has been filled with many challenges and uncertainties, and it seems like the churches here really understood this,” reflected Steve Nelson. “The celebration given to welcome us to our new pastoral district went far beyond the expected, and we are amazed and humbled at the compassion and kindness we have received. Our hearts are filled with love and appreciation to God and our wonderful new church family.”
Samantha Nelson added, “We were so surprised at the outpouring of love, kindness, generosity, and hospitality we have received. The welcome party was a lot of fun with a great sense of humor among the congregations that were represented. We feel very blessed, loved, and appreciated already!”
—Ron Price is an elder at the Piñon Hills Seventh-day Adventist Church in Farmington, New Mexico. Photos supplied.
