Red Letter Hostess

Yesterday I attended the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra & Chorus performance of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis. Beethoven considered it his greatest work, even though most people think of his 9th Symphony as his greatest. Missa Solemnis is the Catholic Mass liturgy put to incredibly complex and rich music. It is a very demanding piece for instrumentalists and vocalists alike. (My wife, Dacia, sings in the Chorus if you're wondering why in the world i would spend my Sunday afternoon at a concert.)

I could go on about the music ... but that's not why I'm writing today.

The concert was at the National Hispanic Cultural Center here in Albuquerque. I had never been there before and was on a tight schedule so I knew I would need to actually ask people for directions. (Hard to admit.) Once I got inside it was easy to spot the "will call" window to pick up my tickets. From there I didn't really know what to do. People were streaming in a couple of doors, but there was this one entry that had no line (I'm always looking for the quickest line) and one hostess there. She was a Hispanic woman that was probably in her late 60's/early 70's (always tricky to guess ages). I showed her my ticket and said, "I've never been in this building; can you tell me where I need to go?" She was very kind and helpful and I went to the correct door and followed her good directions and found my seat.

After everything was over I was hanging around in the lobby waiting for my wife. Since she is in the Chorus we are often among the last to leave the building. This same hostess walks by and stops and says, "Aren't you the gentleman who had never been here before?" Surprised she remembered me, I said, "Yes, that was me." She asked if I had enjoyed the concert to which I replied with enthusiastic support and added that it was a wonderful performance space and facility. She then began to tell me about other things available to see and do. She pointed out where the museum was and that there were three concurrent shows going on. The restaurant, the education center, and more were mentioned. She didn't go on and on. She didn't try to convince me that I needed to spend more time there or guilt me into doing something I didn't really want to do. But something of her genuineness and the way she described the other options made me want to come back and spend an entire day there.

I often wonder what visitors to our church experience. That's something I really don't get to see or hear because of the other things I'm doing. I wonder if our members are sensitive to those who are here for the first time. I wonder if our church members recognize someone the second time and check in with them. I wonder if our members provide just enough information to a visitor without being overbearing that the visitor feels an attraction to come back. In my mind, that's another way to be a red letter Christian. Simple acts of attention and kindness and hospitality go a long way.

When have you experienced exemplary hospitality? When have you experienced just the opposite?

Blessings,
Pastor Jeff