Board of Membership’s committee member Gary Kirkland shares three easy steps to get acquainted with new members.

On November 10, we welcomed five new members into United Church of Gainesville. That’s five people who are trying to learn the names and faces of a whole bunch of us. Here are some tips to help all of us get acquainted.

1. Look out for those new faces: Next to the sidewalk, as you walk up to the front door of the Sanctuary, you’ll spot a bulletin board with the names and photos of recently-joined members. Look them over, and when you spot them during coffee hour, introduce yourself.

2. Wear your name tag: This can be a big help for newbies and not-so-newbies who sometimes are name-remembering-challenged. And if you want to avoid holes in your clothes (or fingers), ask a member of the board of membership (we are now wearing bright pink name tags) for a magnetic upgrade that allows you pin-free tag wearing.

3. Add a photo to the church directory: See a name in the newsletter or in the prayer concerns, but you aren’t exactly sure who that is, then you check the directory and see the photo of a guy who was sitting in front of you last week? Unfortunately about two-thirds of us haven’t opted to add a photo to make that name-face connection easier. Get out your cell phone and add a selfie today! Or email Shanna Swiers and she will add your photo to your ShelbyNext profile for you.

If this is how you look in the church directory, it may be hard for a newcomer to put a name with your face. The Board of Membership can help you solve that. Look for those bright pink name tags.