De-Dowdyfied

The November/December/January 2008-09 edition Circuit Rider (a magazine for United Methodist clergy) had an article titled "The Art of the Coffee Hour" which included "A Quick Guide to Hosting Coffee Hour." The fourth suggestion was:

Pay attention to the room. Most churches could stand to be de-dowdyfied. Most rooms where we have coffee still look like last year's tag sale or last century's parlor. That doesn't send the right message to newcomers. Make sure the room is clean, comfortable, and easy to move around in.

This is important within the context of welcoming newcomers. What looks homey and familiar to long time members, all to often looks dowdy to a new person. Aside from the curtain on the stage, our room for the coffee hour (fellowship hall) has already been "de-dowdyfied." Throughout the church building as a whole, "de-dowdyfication" is an important project where much has already been accomplished.