Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/92

Contributor - Al and Jean Honken

Title - Ideas That Work - "Get Togethers for Young Adults"

Topic - Fellowship

A Unique Supper

An announcement appeared in the bulletin several weeks prior to the event, inviting the working singles group to a supper at the Church. The cost - about $4.00 per plate

People started arriving at 6:30 p.m. with great anticipation, expecting everything would be prepared and ready for them to sit down and eat. imagine their quizzical looks and surprise when nothing was prepared... the tables were not even set up. No one dared say what they were thinking until the events of the evening were disclosed.

The singles were divided into four different groups. Each group was given an envelope containing money and told to go out and purchase supplies for the menu. One group was to buy the meal, another the salad and hors d'oeuvres, another the vegetables, and the last group was responsible for the dessert. After they returned with the supplies, each group was responsible for preparing their part of the meal, with the instruction that we would sit down to eat at 8:20 p.m.

Each entry was judged by everyone for originality, appearance, taste, and economy. Someone said afterwards, "I have never done such a thing before, and this was by far the best meeting we have ever had".

Suppers Eight Strengthens Fellowship

Do your young adults find it difficult to introduce themselves to one another? Emmanuel Reformed Church of Whitby started something which is having great success! It is called "Suppers Eight," and is intended for the singles of the church as well as those married twelve years or less.

Approximately 50 people are involved with the monthly "Suppers Eight" program. People meet in groups of "Eight" in different homes for a meal, and have some type of activity which may or may not include a Bible Study. The host couple (or perhaps a single person) is responsible for supplying and preparing the meat, another brings the rest of the ingredients for the main course, another the salad and bread, and another couple brings the dessert.

A coordinator for the "Suppers Eight" program keeps track of everyone who wants to be a part of this activity. During the course of the evening, someone volunteers to be a host for the next meeting which is then reported to the coordinator. From the list, the coordinator determines who will be attending the next "Suppers Eight" party. It is up to the host to call and invite these people and inform them what they should bring for the meal. If one of the regular attendees is unable to come on a given evening, a replacement couple or single person is found to round out the number to eight people, and that might include someone's friend, or a neighbour.

"Suppers Eight" has not only developed more fellowship in the church, it has also been a good means of outreach, introducing new people to the church.

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