|  | SPONSORING
A COFFEE HOUR GENERAL DESCRIPTION
| Sponsor a “Coffee”
or “Fellowship Hour” after the Sunday morning worship service(s) to
help those attending become better acquainted, etc. |
BACKGROUND
INFORMATION As
discussed in “HOW TO” Project WELCOMING
VISITORS, this activity provides a way to help newcomers become acquainted,
as well as, a convenient, regular time for all parishioners to exchange greetings,
fellowship with, and communicate with one another. One of the essential ingredients
of a “successful” parish is a spirit of friendship and love among those
who belong to it. While the objectives of the Church reach far beyond this aspect,
the’ spiritual strength of individual Christians is greatly enhanced by the
fellowship and understanding of others in the parish. A Coffee
Hour between services provides an opportunity for those attending different times
to become acquainted. NOTE: If
a satisfactory coffee hour is already being sponsored by others, brotherhood members
should attend and might offer to assist in any way possible. |
HOW
IT WORKS | Sponsoring a Coffee
or Fellowship Hour (it need not necessarily last for a complete hour), is not
difficult, although it involves conscientious effort. Unless the Chapter is large
and most wives participate, it is recommended that others in the parish be invited
to help also. One Brotherhood member should be appointed to be responsible for
this activity, although he will need the cooperation of other members in working
out the following details: | | a. Facilities: Use of room and kitchen
facilities should be scheduled. Paper cups and wooden stirrers are used generally
to minimize cleanup. | | b. Schedule: Establish a rotating, easy-to-remember
schedule of refreshment Setup/Servers, servers and cleanup crews. | | c.
Cost: If the Chapter itself cannot finance all of the supplies needed (coffee,
tea, sugar, cream, cups and cookies if provided), arrangements must be made to
pay for them. The vestry (parish general funds) or the women’s organization
frequently assume this responsibility | | d. Host/Hostesses: It is
a good idea to have a few people designated to be on the lookout for newcomers
and to introduce them to others. | | e. Publicity: An announcement
should be placed in the parish bulletin each week, an invitation given from the
pulpit, plus occasional invitations in Newsletters, etc. | | f. Name
Badges: Very helpful (permanent badges are often used. These could be kept on
a board on the wall.) | The rector and/or clergy
assistants should plan to spend some time at the Coffee Hour. Changing
displays of parishioners Art and other Hobbies do much to create interest and
stimulate attendance, as well as, provide an opportunity for parishioners to “show
off” their talents. A separate committee, not necessarily Brotherhood members,
could handle this function. An adult Bible study “forum”
or discussion frequently is a part of or follows the Coffee Hour in many parishes.
This is recommended where there is time. |
HOW
TO GET STARTED | After obtaining
approval of the rector and parish council (if there is one), the idea should be
discussed with the leaders of various parish groups to solicit their approval
and cooperation and iron out potential conflicts. The subject should be discussed
thoroughly at a chapter meeting pointing out the many advantages, but not overlooking
the amount of work involved and the need generally to enlist the help of men and
women not in the Brotherhood. |
ADDITIONAL
RESOURCE MATERIAL |
