Together 26: You're welcome!

Niamh and Jess talk about being friendly faces ready to greet everyone at Together 26.

Together 26 is a weekend to gather, celebrate and reflect on who God has called us to be – united in hope, faith and purpose. Taking place from Friday 3 July to Sunday 5 July at The ICC in Birmingham, the event will include a Friday evening concert featuring the International Staff Songsters and International Staff Band and, on Sunday morning, the ordination and commissioning of the cadets of the Keepers of the Covenant session.

The weekend celebrates that we’re a Movement of people called by God, and ‘in him we live and move and have our being’ (Acts 17:28). There is a place for everyone to belong and play their part. This year, in addition to the Here to Help team, there will be more volunteers on hand across the Saturday and Sunday to help welcome everyone.

Led by Karen Hayward, the team includes Niamh and Jess. They talk about their roles:

What’s your favourite thing about Together?

Niamh Seeing other people! I really enjoy the Saturday evening when we all gather in the one hall for worship.

Jess I agree – I like being with people who share the same faith, and just enjoying that together.

What’s your role at Together 26?

Niamh It’s a bit like welcome duty at a hall: we’re there to greet people and to be a friendly face if people have any worries or questions.

Where will you be over the Saturday and Sunday?

Niamh We will be in different places across the whole site. There are at least four of us so far and we’ve been promised T-shirts to make us easy to spot!

Why are you part of the welcome team?

Jess It’s great to be a friendly face somebody can come up to if they’re lost, need to ask a question or just want somebody to talk to.

Niamh It’s important people feel safe and know there’s someone to go to if they’re unsure of anything. It’s also important that nobody feels lonely. It’s great there will be lots of people going, but we don’t want anyone to feel left out, especially someone coming on their own or for the first time. We can help people engage with the activities, show them around – and also help them find the quiet space if they need that, which will be available throughout the weekend.

What’s the best welcome you’ve ever had?

Niamh Brenda! When my family came to the corps, she came straight up to me and shook my hand. She gave me her number and said to call if I ever needed anything. That was really nice – and she sends me texts to see how I’m getting on. We love Brenda!

Jess When I first joined NeXus, the West Midlands divisional youth choir, it was a really friendly welcome. There were messages in the group chat asking, ‘How you doing this week? How’s everybody?’

What’s your signature style of welcome?

Niamh I get excited around people, so I tend to say hi and go straight into telling people what I know!

Jess I’m the opposite – I’m quite quiet and then, as the conversation goes on, I get more confident!

Niamh If someone wants a handshake, I’ll shake their hand but, if not, I won’t force somebody to shake my hand. And I’ll do high fives with youngsters!