The First Face of Welcome: 5 Things I Love About Being a Greeter at First Unitarian Church of Dallas
There is something profoundly special about the quiet moments before the sanctuary doors open on a Sunday morning. While many are still finishing their coffee or navigating the parking garage on Normandy, I am already at my post in the Welcome Center.
Serving as a greeter at the First Unitarian Church of Dallas isn’t just about handing out Orders of Service; it’s about being a bridge. It’s the opportunity to set the tone for someone’s entire week. Whether you’re a lifelong member or walking through our doors for the very first time, I believe that first “hello” matters.
Here are the five things I love most about this role and why I look forward to my Sunday shifts.
1. Being the “First Point of Connection”
There is a specific look someone has when they are new—a mix of curiosity and slight apprehension. Being the person to meet that look with a warm smile and a “Welcome! We are so glad you’re here” is incredibly rewarding. I love the privilege of being the first human touchpoint for a visitor, helping them move from feeling like an outsider to realizing they’ve found a community that affirms their inherent worth and dignity.
2. Witnessing the Diversity of Our Community
One of the most beautiful aspects of First Church is the sheer variety of people who walk through our doors. As a greeter, I get a front-row seat to our congregation’s rich tapestry: long-time members catching up on life, families with young children heading to Religious Education, and seekers from all walks of life looking for a spiritual home that honors reason, compassion, and the search for truth. Every Sunday reminds me that we truly are a “living tradition.”
3. Turning “Strangers” into Neighbors
I love the moment a visitor asks, “So, what is Unitarian Universalism?” It’s an opening to share our values—not as dogma, but as a guide. Whether I’m explaining our Seven Principles, pointing them toward the coffee team for a post-service chat, or helping them find a name tag, I’m helping them navigate their first steps into our democratic process and our commitment to justice. Seeing that same person again the following Sunday is a victory I never get tired of.
4. The Calm Before the Service
The half-hour before the 9:30 or 11:00 AM service is a unique space in time. The campus is buzzing, but there’s a shared intention in the air. Standing in the foyer, I feel grounded by the collective energy of people coming together to pause, reflect, and prepare to act with “loving resistance” in the world. It’s a meditative way to start my own Sunday before I take my seat in the sanctuary.
5. It’s a Simple Way to Give Back
We all have busy lives, but serving as a greeter is a manageable, high-impact commitment. I serve just one Sunday a month, which feels like a perfect balance. It’s a “low-stakes, high-reward” way to contribute to the life of the church. You don’t need to be an expert on theology or a long-time member to do it; you just need to be yourself and be willing to offer a kind word.
Join Us at the Welcome Center
If you’ve been looking for a way to get more involved at First Church, I cannot recommend the Hospitality Team enough. We provide all the training you need, and you can even shadow a current greeter to see if it’s a good fit for you.
Greeting isn’t just a task—it’s a ministry of presence. Next time you’re at church, come say hi at the Welcome Center. I’d love to meet you, and who knows? Maybe I’ll be handing you a nametag soon!
Ready to help shape our community’s spirit of welcome? Sign up to join our Usher & Greeter teams through Realm, or stop by the Welcome Center this Sunday to speak with a volunteer.