Foyer Dinner Groups

Jane Steenstra

How can people new to the Chapel of the Cross get to know other parishioners and, equally important, how can parishioners get to know those who've recently joined our parish? Its size, along with a choice of four separate Sunday worship services, present for us a challenge to know more than a small portion of our community. Several years ago, to help meet this challenge, foyer dinner groups were formed. Both singles and couples join these groups. Diners have found these gatherings to be an excellent way to both meet and really get to know and appreciate the unique qualities of fellow parishioners, and some wonderful friendships have formed. Currently, there are more than 80 participants.

The dinners are casual, cooking is shared, and participants take turns hosting the meals. The host family provides the main dish and usually draws up a general menu. The other members let the host know what additional menu item each chooses to bring to the meal. Meals are usually dinners and are hosted in a home; but other possibilities are brunch, lunch, or a picnic. Once the group is formed, members decide what they prefer. They might also decide that they'd like to include children some or all of the time.

Foyer dinner groups are re-organized once a year to maximize the opportunity for parishioners to meet, and there are two sign-up opportunities: in September and January. January sign-up provides a second opportunity for people who were unable to join in the fall. Notices appear in Crossings at these times, announcing where sign-up sheets can be found and what the response deadlines are.

Send items for inclusion in future "Cross Roads."
The deadline is the first Thursday of the preceeding month.

© 2005 The Chapel of the Cross