Home visits

Dear Abby:

I am a new minister at a fairly large church. For this reason, I'm having a difficult time getting to know the families and remembering the hundreds of names. I would like to take the time to "come calling," as my grandmother used to say.

Is there a polite way to invite yourself over to someone's home?

--Polite Visitor in Missouri


Dear Polite Visitor:

No. The people who have written me about this subject have been parishioners who felt it was an intrusion.

A more palatable way to get to know your church members would be to institute a social hour after the service so you can mingle and chat with them.

(Published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.)