Published in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram on September 29, 2018

The welcome mat was on the step, and the welcome sign was on the door. So I stepped in. But there was no welcome. No one there to shake my hand. No one to say hello. No one to help me feel welcome.

When we walk around Eau Claire, we see the welcome signs in many yards and welcome mats in front of doors, and that’s wonderful. Are they intended to welcome everyone? If a homeless person came to the door, would we open the door? When strangers walk into our places of work or places of worship, do we greet them? Do we go over to say hello and make them feel welcome?

It’s a simple thing to say “hi” to a stranger, and it can make a difference in their day or in their life. Try saying “hi” to a Republican if you’re a Democrat; “hi” to a Vikings fan if you love the Packers; “hi” to our neighbors; or “hi” to people we pass on the street or in the grocery store. With a friendly greeting, we make people feel welcome.

The Rule of St. Benedict says we are never to give a “hollow greeting.”

The Golden Rule of Jesus is, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

The Baha’i Faith counsels, “Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.”

Islam tells us, “When you are greeted with a greeting, return the greeting or improve upon it.”

When we greet others, do we speak with energy, enthusiasm, meaning and interest in the other person? Do we make eye contact and smile? Or are we just mumbling some casual words as we go about our busy day?

Part of what we try to do with our interfaith prayer gatherings is to make people feel welcome. We strive to create an environment where people can feel comfortable getting to know neighbors from different cultures, different faiths and different backgrounds.

St. Benedict asks, Do we dare to be different?

Are we the ones who will initiate the greeting or the welcome? Or are we going to wait for someone to come and greet us? That may never happen. They may not expect to be welcomed.

Have we taken the opportunity to have a cup of coffee with someone from another culture? Have we talked with those around us who are Latino, Hmong, African American or Muslim? Maybe the greeting becomes a conversation, and it’s the conversation that leads to a friendship. Think of the friends and acquaintances that you have now. At some point, maybe long ago, it had to start out with a greeting. Someone had to initiate it and take the next step.

You have a golden opportunity at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday to come and say hello at the interfaith prayer gathering at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1314 E. Lexington Blvd. 

Experience an interfaith community where we focus on our similarities, not our differences; where we are trying to instill that feeling that all are welcome and all people are appreciated. After the prayer gathering, refreshments will be served in a friendly atmosphere where you can do something different and go up and say hello to someone new.

Imagine the world if we all just said “good morning!” with a genuine smile. With a greeting, maybe the world becomes more peaceful.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday. During our prayer service, we will have a meet and greet. You can welcome a neighbor and a stranger, and you will be made to feel welcome.

For updates about future interfaith events, go to interfaithprayerec.org.

Bob Lesniewski is a monastic Catholic, a Benedictine oblate and organizer of the Interfaith Prayer Service. 

Amy Renshaw is a Baha’i and a writer for Brilliant Star, a kids’ magazine and website published by the Baha’ Faith (brilliantstarmagazine.org).