The 12:30 Sunday Social Hour

Peggy Quinn

Although not a real fan of surveys, I was puzzled in the past when I read that our Chapel of the Cross was not viewed as "friendly" by survey respondents. This came as a shock to me, and I dismissed these comments as uninformed. But occasionally and regrettably I have heard this remark from others who attended our church and then chose to go elsewhere. We all have our reasons for preferring certain congregations, but I certainly felt that the Chapel of the Cross, one of the most deeply caring and conscientious of churches, should not be faulted due to lack of friendliness.

This got me to thinking about hospitality--a basic outreach of the church in welcoming and greeting newcomers and strengthening our community through conversation. There are many other wonderful events at the Chapel of the Cross offering hospitality to parishioners, but the hour following the 11:15 a.m. Sunday service provided a ready-made opportunity to demonstrate our friendliness to newcomers and visitors.

With the help of many choir people and the support of the clergy and the choirmaster, Lee Thomas, Emilie deLuca and I launched the first social hour reception after the 11:15 a.m. service on October 31. Volunteers have organized all of the receptions; many helpers have brought finger food or other easy munchy foods. The Sunday team includes a "leader," who is "the host" and makes sure that the tables are set and that there are enough volunteers bringing food that Sunday. "Helpers" can either bring food or help with the reception itself. One of our goals is to provide greater interaction among newcomers and parishioners on Sunday morning. We want newcomers, visitors, and parishioners to experience first-hand the hospitality, friendliness, and deep caring that is so characteristic of the Chapel of the Cross. After having sung, prayed, and received communion together, conversation and refreshments with our fellow worshippers is a meaningful opportunity to grow in the love of God and to build up the fellowship of the Church.

The 12:30 Sunday social hour is also great fun and welcomes all parishioners both in attending and in helping. Margie Pfaff, Mark Pandick, Larry Logan, Carolyn Folds, Frances Widmann, Bill Lycan, Michael and Julie McVaugh, Doug Kelly, Margo MacIntyre, Mary Schoenfeld, KT and James Vaughan, Robert Wright, Barb McMullen, Karah Rempe and Jonathan Hiam, and Lyn Francisco are among our volunteers to date. Volunteering to help with the 12:30 social hour and working side by side with fellow parishioners is actually a great thing to do. If you'd like to help, there is a sign-up book in the parish office during the week and at the social hour on Sunday morning. Or, you can give me a call.

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