Small Group Dinner Ministry

There is perhaps no better way to get to know one another than to break bread together

The Small Group Dinner Ministry is a way to  meet new people and to enjoy fellowship in a relaxed atmosphere away from the church.  

Ministry Purpose

The Small Group Dinner Ministry seeks to help both newcomers and established parishioners make connections with others in the parish and encourage new relationships in the context of Christian fellowship and devotion to a faith community.

Think you’re well connected?

Even if you’ve been a part of this community for many years, there are always new faces in our midst.  Faces of interesting and fun people who, like you, enjoy the fellowship that comes from being a part of a faith community.

Would you like to become connected?

Our first priority at St. Francis is to help you become connected in a vibrant and meaningful way to God.  At the same time, God means for us to be in community and to be able to share the journey of faith with other Christians.  The Small Group Dinner Ministry is a way to find your way into friendships and to share hospitality.

How does it work?

When you sign up for a dinner group (use the form on the opposite page), you’ll be placed in a group of 10-12 people.  The group sets its own schedule and organizes the meals.  Each person or couple takes a turn hosting the meal at their home and everyone else brings a dish to share. We’ll contact you with the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of your group members and someone from your group will be designated to get the ball rolling with the first dinner.

Some groups may want to gather at a restaurant instead of in homes.  Please note this option on the sign-up form.

Who Participates?

Any adult of any age, couples or singles who agrees to be placed in a group

Enhance the Experience

While there are really no rules to this ministry, you’ll find that your group’s experience will be all the more rewarding if you to incorporate a casual and friendly discussion of the faith into your time together.

Why not:

Set aside a time after the meal, perhaps while you enjoy coffee and dessert, to explore together a devotional resource like The Journey (available at the church).  The host or hostess might start off the discussion by reading one of the devotionals and then offer some reflections for further discussion.

Try this:

Ask someone in the group to select a psalm or a favorite passage of Scripture and have them read it to the group and offer a reflection on what that passage has meant in their life.

Or maybe this:

As you offer a blessing for your meal and time together go around the table and invite folks to share a blessing from their lives.

Interested?

Contact Judi Quaife at rquaife@ft.newyorklife.com or Cheryl Branreth at cherylb@stfrancisinthefields.org or the parish office at 228-1176