Homecoming Sunday Outline
Purpose
The purpose of Homecoming Sunday is to bring the past and present members of a local parish together with the goal of evangelism by:
1. Reviewing the parish history: display tables are effective and congregation members should be asked to bring photos, etc. for this
2. Contacting former members: particuarly those in the community that have lost touch with the parish
3. Showing that the parish is relevant today: show that the parish is alive, not dea,d and give them a reason to get involved again
Homecoming Sunday Advance Preparation (5-6 wks)
1. Use church membership lists to build an initial contact list.
2. Congregation members should be asked to list the names and addresses of family or friends to invite.
3. Print a nice accouncement and mail to the addresses (#1 and #2 merged). A followup call is good if there are willing volunteers.
4. Consider inviting a former (and oft mentioned) priest to give the homily and assist the current priest.
Final Preparations (2-3 wks)
1. Have a workday to get the church looking good inside and out.
2. Try to get a rough estimate of those that will attend.
3. Plan food and extra chairs/tables if needed.
4. The priest should prepare a short post-luncheon talk with mention of what the parish is doing now
5. Have parking attendants if the regular space is not adequate (plan where they will park).
6. Have extra greeters to welcome and assist guests. 7. Have a drawing for a door prize...this gets everyone's address.
Post-Sunday Tasks
1. Church leadership should meet and analyze how things went and consider if this might become a yearly event.
2. Send a 'thank you' to all who attended. Urge those close by to return regularly.
Resources
Resources for printing and handouts (to reinforce the basic teachings of the Faith) are similar to thosed used in Discovery Sunday.
Purpose
The purpose of Homecoming Sunday is to bring the past and present members of a local parish together with the goal of evangelism by:
1. Reviewing the parish history: display tables are effective and congregation members should be asked to bring photos, etc. for this
2. Contacting former members: particuarly those in the community that have lost touch with the parish
3. Showing that the parish is relevant today: show that the parish is alive, not dea,d and give them a reason to get involved again
Homecoming Sunday Advance Preparation (5-6 wks)
1. Use church membership lists to build an initial contact list.
2. Congregation members should be asked to list the names and addresses of family or friends to invite.
3. Print a nice accouncement and mail to the addresses (#1 and #2 merged). A followup call is good if there are willing volunteers.
4. Consider inviting a former (and oft mentioned) priest to give the homily and assist the current priest.
Final Preparations (2-3 wks)
1. Have a workday to get the church looking good inside and out.
2. Try to get a rough estimate of those that will attend.
3. Plan food and extra chairs/tables if needed.
4. The priest should prepare a short post-luncheon talk with mention of what the parish is doing now
5. Have parking attendants if the regular space is not adequate (plan where they will park).
6. Have extra greeters to welcome and assist guests. 7. Have a drawing for a door prize...this gets everyone's address.
Post-Sunday Tasks
1. Church leadership should meet and analyze how things went and consider if this might become a yearly event.
2. Send a 'thank you' to all who attended. Urge those close by to return regularly.
Resources
Resources for printing and handouts (to reinforce the basic teachings of the Faith) are similar to thosed used in Discovery Sunday.
