There are certain objects that inspire deep spiritual reflection: a well-worn prayer book, a perfectly brewed cup of tea after the 10 a.m. service, and — of course — the humble name tag.
Yes, the name tag.
That small rectangle of adhesive (or the lanyard version, if one is feeling particularly ecumenical) that promises clarity, connection, and, occasionally, comedic disaster.
Somewhere in the lore of Anglicanism, we developed an unspoken belief that God knows our names, and therefore no one else needs to. This works well for the Almighty but proves challenging at coffee hour, where one may find oneself trapped in a polite conversation with a parishioner whose face is familiar but whose name dances just beyond the reach of memory. It is in these moments that the Holy Spirit surely whispers, “A name tag might have helped.”
Of course, name tags come with their own perils. Sticker tags tend to curl at the edges and fall off at inopportune moments, usually mid-conversation, prompting the wearer to fetch it from the floor like a dropped sacramental wafer. Lanyards, on the other hand, have a mild whiff of diocesan synod about them. One cannot don a lanyard without feeling both important and slightly exhausted.
But the real challenge is convincing Anglicans to actually wear them. There is something about placing a sticker on one’s chest that feels suspiciously like drawing attention to oneself, and we are a people formed by the spiritual discipline of modest invisibility. When asked to put on a name tag, many respond with an expression typically reserved for being voluntold to join a new committee.
Yet — here is the mystery — the name tag is a tiny, holy instrument of hospitality. It makes the newcomer feel less like the lone penguin at the wrong end of the pew. It allows us to address each other with dignity rather than resorting to conversational strategies like, “And how long have you been coming here?” (which is Anglican for “I can’t remember your name to save my life.”)
In a world aching for belonging, it may be that the name tag — simple, unfashionable, persistently sticky — can serve as a small sacrament of welcome. A reminder that we are known, seen, and remembered — even by those of us who sometimes forget where we left our reading glasses.
So the next time the parish hosts a brunch, special service, or visioning workshop, embrace the lost art. Peel the sticker. Loop the lanyard. Wear your name with joy. After all, Scripture tells us God calls us by name — surely we can give each other a head start.
Companion Prayer
Gracious God,
You know us by name and call us your own.
Give us grace to welcome one another with warmth, honesty, and gentle humour.
Bless the humble name tag — the tiny tool that helps us build community and remember the gift of each person you send our way.
May our gatherings be filled with kindness, recognition, and the joy of belonging.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.