St. Mary’s Invite-a-Friend Sunday: Sharing Love and Community in Ramona

On October 27, St. Mary’s in-the-Valley Episcopal Church hosted a lively “Invite-a-Friend Sunday” along with a mini-ministry fair. This special event was part of a broader Episcopal Diocese of San Diego initiative to invite friends and neighbors into the church’s community, offering an opportunity for newcomers to experience worship in a welcoming, accessible environment. With only around 35 regular attendees, St. Mary’s was thrilled to welcome 12 new visitors that Sunday. It was a reminder of how simply opening doors and extending an invitation can create genuine connections.

The day began with an instructed Eucharist, allowing guests to feel included and informed about Episcopal worship traditions. This Eucharist was intentionally crafted to avoid insider language, with prayers and explanations that welcomed those unfamiliar with church customs. The goal was to ensure that everyone felt at ease, whether they were familiar with Episcopal traditions or stepping into a church for the first time. Following the service, the courtyard came alive with the mini-ministry fair, which showcased 10 different ministries active at St. Mary’s, each with displays, information, and sign-up sheets.

One of the things that made the day a success was our postcard and social media invitation, which encouraged members to reach out to friends, family, and neighbors. The postcards read:

Invite a Friend Sunday  
At St. Mary’s in-the-Valley Episcopal Church  

Join us on Sunday, October 27, for a special day of connection, celebration, and fun at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church! Whether you’ve been curious about our community or just want to enjoy a Sunday morning of great food and live music, we’d love to welcome you.  

What’s happening:
9:30am: Worship Service (come as you are!)  
10:30 – 11:30am: Ministry Fair in the Courtyard  
Explore our church’s ministries and see how we’re making a difference.  
Potluck Meal & Live Music 

Even if you can’t make it to the service, join us for food, fun, and live tunes! Everyone’s welcome.  

Location: St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 1010 12th St., Ramona, CA  

Come for the service, stay for the celebration—or just pop in for lunch! Bring a friend or make new ones. We can’t wait to meet you!

The invitation was clear, friendly, and extended a genuine welcome to anyone interested in learning more about St. Mary’s. Thanks to this outreach effort, several new people attended, including a young couple who had been praying to find an inclusive church home. They expressed how comfortable they felt at St. Mary’s, appreciating the church’s progressive and welcoming environment—a refreshing perspective in the more conservative setting of Ramona. Another new visitor even signed up for Centering Prayer, committing to exploring this ministry as part of their spiritual journey.

As a church, St. Mary’s in-the-Valley is intentional about sharing a progressive, inclusive form of Christianity with the community. In a town where conservative values are prevalent, St. Mary’s offers an alternative space for people who seek a faith community that fully embraces diversity. The event underscored St. Mary’s mission to extend God’s love to everyone, creating a sanctuary where all are welcome to experience spiritual connection without judgment.

Preparing for the event, church members were uncertain of the turnout. They joked about how those organizing the event were the same people who usually attend every activity, wondering if anyone else would actually show up. But their efforts were rewarded, and they were happily surprised by the success of the day. It just goes to show that sometimes, all it takes is a warm invitation and a welcoming space for God to work in unexpected ways.

A joyful potluck meal followed the ministry fair, bringing members and visitors together over food and conversation. Live music added to the festive atmosphere, and there was a sense of fellowship as people chatted, laughed, and shared a meal together. For some, this was the first step in reconnecting with a faith community. One visitor mentioned how they had attended St. Mary’s many years ago and were grateful for the chance to reconnect. This type of event illustrates the profound impact a simple invitation can have—sometimes, people just need a reason to take that first step back through the doors.

In an article promoting “Invite a Friend Sunday,” the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego wrote, “When we love something, we share it with our friends and family; like a new show on Netflix or a great restaurant in the neighborhood, we can’t help but share what we love with others. The same thing goes for your church.” This sentiment was at the heart of St. Mary’s event, reminding members of the importance of sharing the gift of community. Many parishioners invited friends by sending a personal text or bringing up the event in casual conversation, giving friends a chance to connect with the church in an organic, unpressured way.

For St. Mary’s, the success of Invite-a-Friend Sunday has reinvigorated their commitment to outreach and connection within the community. They hope to continue sharing God’s love with others, especially those who may feel out of place in traditional church settings. This event has proven that there is a hunger for a loving, inclusive Christian presence in Ramona—a place where all are welcome, loved, and accepted for who they are. As St. Mary’s looks forward to future events, they are excited to see how these new relationships will blossom and how God will continue to work through their outreach efforts.