I was with a friend of mine during the week, who was telling me about "The Secret Millionaire" programme he had seen. A young man from the Wirral was moving into Bootle for the programme and a neighbour's welcome was not the most gracious and welcoming, and his language was colourful and choice. The secret millionaire—so my friend said– was heard to say "Welcome to Liverpool." That same night my friend was driving a group of top surgeons from all over the world, who are in Liverpool for a conference. He said they were amazed by the city, how warm and friendly Liverpool is and how they all wanted to come back and spend time in the city. It is amazing how Liverpool can be portrayed by certain people and yet the reality is so totally different.

How true it this is of the Church. Overall sometimes the media image of the Church is so negative, but the Church is made up of people who are warm and welcoming, full of joy and do all they can to live the message of the Gospel.

I have said on a number of occasions and in public, that in our two parishes I have never experienced Christian community and hospitality as I have here. But I wonder do those who are seeking to become members of our parishes find us that welcoming? Sometimes because we all know each other the way we do and chat amongst ourselves—and I am not complaining I think it is building up community— that we may forget newcomers and appear as warm and welcoming as the secret millionaires welcome to Bootle, when the reality of our parishes is the surgeons experience.

I suppose what I am asking is if we see new faces amongst us in the congregation maybe we can offer a hand of welcome. Lets make them feel a part of the community and allow them to experience the joy happiness and love of being members of our parishes. Let their initial view of our parishes not be a negative one of unwelcome but that of the surgeons who are enjoying their stay in Liverpool and want to come back time and time again to enjoy the Liverpool hospitality.