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Welcoming our Visitors

Welcoming our Visitors. Our Monday to Saturday Church. “Church buildings are not just sermons but symphonies in stone serenading those with ears to hear and eyes to see with the stories of local communities and their discovery of the love of God through all the changing scenes of life.”

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Welcoming our Visitors

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  1. Welcoming our Visitors

  2. Our Monday to Saturday Church • “Church buildings are not just sermons but symphonies in stone serenading those with ears to hear and eyes to see with the stories of local communities and their discovery of the love of God through all the changing scenes of life.” • Our buildings can “turn the tourist into a pilgrim”

  3. Why do people visit churches • Often one of the oldest buildings in the area • Stands out, recognisable • Historical features • Special interest ie genealogy, brass rubbing, bell ringers • Peace and contemplation

  4. Why? • Churches are a witness to God’s love for all • Churches were built for the whole community, not just the few that attend services • Churches can be a “wayside shrine” • Churches can be a source of local information • Church maintenance can be helped • Church Insurance Our Churches are an important VISITOR DESTINATION in tourism terms – it is not just Cathedrals, it is us as well! Visit Wales [Welsh Assembly] recognises the importance of Faith Tourism in their new policies

  5. welcome (54%) holiness (24%) church loved and used (23%) notice boards and information (23%) temperature ((21%) smell (18%) architecture (15%) music (14%) flowers (12%) light (12%) most frequently used words: friendly tidy loved welcoming unspoilt warmth peace First impressions are: social sensual spiritual The ten most important factors

  6. Preparation • Team audit – what skills are available? • Mystery Shopper exercise – repeat regularly – • Access Audit – www.churchcare.co.uk • inc access, steps clearly marked, footpaths clear and safe, Caring for God’s Acre • Lighting • Housekeeping, cleanliness • Flowers

  7. A secure church • Our insurers prefer an OPEN church • A locked church “may have something valuable!” • Open sign in an obvious place • Put away valuable items, replace with wooden ones, • Put away/hide matches, lighters, scissors, knives • Smartwater plus poster/labels • Chain valuable item of furniture • Safe? • Opening hours • Terrier • Contact numbers easily seen • Contact Ecclesiastical

  8. The Church • Doors open? • Board with opening times/contact details • Welcoming – obvious location of visitors book, sale items, donations box, etc • Church history leaflets/booklets • Items for sale in church and on-line – cards, tea-towels, etc • Board with churchyard layout • Leaflets for other churches/sites in the area • QR codes – free

  9. More things • A place for prayer – prayer board, sample prayer sheets • A place for refreshment; water bowl for dogs, boot scraper, refreshment table • A place for children – small table/chairs, paper, crayons, worksheets, display board, story books, soft toys • Signs and texts: simple explanations on a walk round the church inside and out • Display boards showing work of the parish, charity, mission work, etc • Seating in the churchyard • Churchyard trails

  10. How to help and encourage • Online presence – websites [parish, diocese, CTNW] Facebook, TripAdvisor • show opening times, graveyard and memorial details • Location – postcode - for sat navs/google maps • List of church records and their whereabouts – access details/charges • Some history [accurate] , photos • Info on other websites eg photos of church memorials e.g. Flickr, Geograph • Items for sale –on-line Build a Relationship: • “Friends of” – events, special services, appeals, • Facebook - keep it updated

  11. St Davids Diocese • Diocesan Tourism Group • Tourism Officer: Revd Canon Sarah Geach • Membership of tourism associations • Building relationships with County tourism officers • Runs Church Tourism Training Days • Supports Art on the Faith Trail • Archdeaconry groups

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