Christian Hospitality and Immigration
“In hospitality, the stranger is welcomed into a safe, personal, and comfortable place, a place of respect and acceptance and friendship.”- Christine Pohl Making Room (p.13)
Opening Prayer: Almighty God, who welcomed all creation to be in renewed relationship with you through Jesus Christ, we gather to offer your hospitality to the world. Grant us hearts to welcome, embrace, and make room for immigrants and refugees. Guide our discussions that we may deepen our understanding and grow in empathy. May our time together inspire us to advocate for justice and extend care to all, reflecting the example of Jesus Christ, who welcomed the marginalized and embraced the outsider. Amen.
Opening Activity: Go around the room and share your name and a time where you were shown hospitality. What happened? What made it memorable? How did you feel?
What is Hospitality?
Hospitality is the transformative encounter between a host and a stranger, visitor, or guest defined by mutual vulnerability, recognition, making room, and blessing.
- Mutual Vulnerability– Mutual vulnerability is the understanding that true hospitality requires the courageous work of trust, authenticity, and vulnerability on part of both host and guest.
- Recognition– Recognition is the ability to fully see and embrace another. Recognition identifies the dignity of every person through their story and circumstances.
- Making Room- Making Room is the ability for the host to create space for others to belong, have their needs met, and grow in relationship.
- Blessings- Blessings are any gifts that manifest and reflect God’s love, goodness, and grace. In interactions of hospitality, blessings are continually exchanged between strangers and hosts.
The late Dr. Christine Pohl has done extensive work around hospitality and the Christian tradition. Please watch this video of theologian, Dr. Christine Pohl reflecting on the Christian tradition of hospitality. Afterwards, share with one another how Dr. Pohl connects practicing hospitality with discipleship to Christ.
Immigration and Christianity
After reading this presentation together, name one thing you learned.
Mutual Vulnerability
Mutual vulnerability is the ability for the host and stranger to embrace one another through taking risks, being compassionate, and seeking authentic relationships for the sake of sharing life and blessings with one another.
“Deep sensitivity to the suffering of those in need comes from our ability to put ourselves in their position, and from remembering our own experiences of vulnerability and dependence. This sense of shared human experience extends even to those most foreign to us.” – Christine Pohl, Making Room (p65)
As a group, discuss the following:
- How might inviting people into your way of life require vulnerability?
- How does hosting with vulnerability help create authentic connection?
- Is it hard for you to receive hospitality? Why or why not?
- What do you need in order to be comfortable being vulnerable?
Takeaway and Closing Prayer
Before your closing prayer, each person share a one sentence takeaway from today’s class. Select one person to offer the closing prayer. In the prayer, offer thanks to God for the takeaways and ask that God might offer you opportunities and the courage to practice relationships mutual vulnerability with friends and strangers alike.
Sacred Hospitality 