Hospitality in Abundance
Monday Ministerial Musings
By Rev. Mark William Ennis
2026 Blog #23
July 6, 2026
Hospitality in Abundance
Yesterday the Community Church of Glen Rock held one of its newest annual traditions, parsonage picnics. We began this about two years ago when I became interim pastor here. It seemed as though this congregation, that had gone through recent difficult hard times and disappointments, needed an energy boost to lift spirits and move beyond these distresses. The Independence Day picnic has been the latest, but it wasn’t the first.
The first parsonage party that Pam and I hosted was Christmas Eve of 2024, just a few months after I began my duties as interim pastor of this congregation. I announced to consistory that we were planning to host a Christmas Eve open house following an early Christmas Eve worship. One consistory member said to me, “you are joking, right?” She couldn’t believe that I really wasn’t joking. I couldn’t believe that the consistory was so skeptical of an open house at the parsonage. We had been hosting an open house on Christmas Eve since I began pastoring in 1984. Since the gift of hospitality is one of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible, how can Christian Churches not practice this?
Well, despite skepticism from the consistory, we held the open house, and we were overwhelmed by the response from the congregation. Not all of the Christmas worshippers arrived, but many did. Others were going home to enjoy Christmas parties at their homes, but a lot came to the parsonage, and we had a rather loud and celebrative time. The private conversations that people had with me took me by surprise.
One member told me that he grew up in the church, was a few years older than me, and before this open house, had never before been inside the parsonage. I expressed sorrow that such fellowship had not been practiced in the past.
A consistory member asked me if having company wasn’t a bit “burdensome.” I explained that I really enjoy entertaining. Entertaining is really in my blood. I did a lot of catering, cafeteria work, and waiting tables during my college years. I really rather enjoy it.
Another asked me if we were not concerned with “privacy” with having people walking through our home. I agree that in some congregations with parsonages on premises, privacy and boundaries can be an issue. I have met some extremely intrusive church members who don’t regard personal space of clergy or their families. That can grate on the nerves of a pastor and the family. That is a real concern, but my default response is to celebrate hospitality.
One Christmas party guest asked me simply “why are you bothering to do this?” I explained that I felt that it was part of proper ministerial expectations. There are appropriate hospitality expectations when part of your compensation is being given a home on the work premises.
When I was at college, I had the advantage of being able to go home each Christmas. This wasn’t true for every student. Some of the students unable to go home were invited to friends’ homes. For those who did not have such an opportunity, the president, Gordon Van Wylen, let it be known that any student who had no place to go for Christmas was welcome to come and celebrate at the president’s home.
At seminary, just before finals week, President Howard G. Hageman and his wife, always hosted a Christmas open house for students, their families as well as the faculty, staff, and their families. These were wonderful events, complete with Dr. Hageman, who was an accomplished musician, sitting at the piano and playing Christmas Carols as we enjoyed a community carol sing.
Pam remembers when she was doing doctoral work at SUNY Albany, a dean hosting similar Christmas parties. Such parties have the effect of unifying communities and building fellowship.
There are times when I feel a bit envious when I hear about ministers pastoring huge congregations of hundreds or even thousands of congregants. Yet, with such numbers, this crucial fellowship and gift of hospitality would not be possible, and hospitality is a spiritual gift that should not be ignored or neglected.
And so, the Community Church of Glen Rock celebrated hospitality with another parsonage pot-luck picnic and I am pleased that we did. Just a few years ago, congregations had to give up these events because of COVID. I’m glad that COVID is over and we can again do this important work of hospitality. This past weekend we held a truly wonderful event. When will the next picnic be? Probably on September 20. It will be a “welcome home” event as people make their way home from summer frolicking. If you are in our area, please come by. We love to extend hospitality.
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