“Church is a potluck, not a restaurant!” – Rev. Michael Caine, November 2023
We learned from the recent congregational survey that about 60 percent of Old Firsters attend in-person worship fewer than two Sundays a month. One consequence of this recent change is that it’s harder and harder for our hospitality teams to field enough team members on their assigned Sundays.
The Congregational Life SLG has decided to try a new model for organizing volunteers to host Fellowship Hour on Sundays. We’re going to switch to a sign-up model that allows you to select the dates that work for you. We’re asking you to sign up for 4 or 5 Sundays per year (which is about how often the old teams served). SIGN UP HERE!
The downside of the new model is that you won’t be volunteering with the same group of team members each time. But the upside is that you might meet someone new! And you gain the flexibility to match your volunteering with your own schedule.
We’re counting on you to take responsibility for this important role! For this model to work, we need you to step up and serve. Please take a few minutes now to sign up for a couple of slots. While you’re at it, why not also sign up to be a worship leader? And to serve at Saturday breakfast or Sunday supper? Here’s that link again to SIGN UP!!
If you haven’t volunteered for Fellowship Hour before, here are a few tips:
BEFORE THE SERVICE:
-Arrive at church a little early (about 10:40 am for an 11 am service)
– Bring a light snack to share; select an item that can be easily served and can be eaten without a spoon or fork (“finger food”). No need to bake or prepare it yourself!
– Before the service, prepare for Fellowship Hour by locating ample paper products (small paper plates, paper napkins, cups) and plating the food items. Cover items or leave in fridge (as appropriate).
– Prepare powdered iced tea and lemonade (follow instructions on the container).
– One volunteer should stand by the front door to greet worshipers.
AFTER THE SERVICE
– Leave the service a few minutes early (usually around the time of the Prayers of People). Set the food items, paper products & beverages out on the table.
– During Fellowship Hour, please focus on greeting members and –most especially — any guests. Remember that the food is not the main event! The main purpose of Fellowship Hour is to make everyone feel welcome.
– After worshipers have left, carry the dishes to the kitchen.
– Wash and dry all dishes and return to the appropriate shelves.
– Any leftover food can be left for the Sunday supper. Be sure to put perishable items into the fridge.
– At least one volunteer each week must commit to staying to the very end to be sure that the kitchen is clean and neat.
– If you notice that the supply of paper products is running low, email Devan <admin@oldfirstucc.org > or leave them a note.
Pastor Michael preached recently that church is a potluck, not a restaurant. Here’s one way that you can bring a dish to the potluck of our community.
Have I mentioned yet that there’s a link to sign up? Do it today!!
— Suzanne C, chair of Congregational Life
