The Feast of Friends
Registration is closed for this cycle. Check back in June! Every Sunday we declare the truth that, “Christ is here, right now, making peace!” The peace of Jesus Christ spreads from person to person every time we gather at his table. That same peace continues to spread when we gather with friends and strangers around our home tables, sharing a meal, breaking down the walls that can divide us. Table time is when we can share our experiences, ask for support and prayer, celebrate the ways that God is blessing us, and grow in friendship with one another as we are formed in the friendship of God.
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The Feast of Friends is an easy way for St. Gregory’s people to gather together on a regular but informal basis for purely social reasons – to enjoy one another’s company, to strengthen bonds of community, to meet new members and just to get to know other people. Too often Sundays can be rushed times, and we don’t always get to interact with each other as deeply as we might want. The Feast of Friends provides a time and place to develop new friendships and deepen old ones.
There is no agenda or plan – just casual fellowship and a low-stress meal. Groups are made up of singles, couples, young people, retired folks, children – in other words, anyone who comes to St. Gregory’s. Newcomers are especially invited to be a part of the feast.
Each small group of six to ten people meets once every four to six weeks, beginning in the fall and continuing through May, in the home of one of the members of the group. The host usually provides the main course while the other members fill in the rest of the meal such as appetizer, bread, salad, veggies, dessert, or drinks. Groups can gather for a picnic lunch, use the church kitchen, or even meet at a local restaurant. The main idea is for the gatherings to focus simply on fellowship, a meal, and relaxed conversation.
The Feast groups are put together randomly, by neighborhood or area, so that everyone gets to know people at St. Gregory’s they may not know. In other words, this is a great way to meet and get to know folks you might not have a chance to spend time with otherwise. The deadline for signing up is Sunday, October 18.
There is no agenda or plan – just casual fellowship and a low-stress meal. Groups are made up of singles, couples, young people, retired folks, children – in other words, anyone who comes to St. Gregory’s. Newcomers are especially invited to be a part of the feast.
Each small group of six to ten people meets once every four to six weeks, beginning in the fall and continuing through May, in the home of one of the members of the group. The host usually provides the main course while the other members fill in the rest of the meal such as appetizer, bread, salad, veggies, dessert, or drinks. Groups can gather for a picnic lunch, use the church kitchen, or even meet at a local restaurant. The main idea is for the gatherings to focus simply on fellowship, a meal, and relaxed conversation.
The Feast groups are put together randomly, by neighborhood or area, so that everyone gets to know people at St. Gregory’s they may not know. In other words, this is a great way to meet and get to know folks you might not have a chance to spend time with otherwise. The deadline for signing up is Sunday, October 18.
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Q. How will Feasts of Friends be set up? A. Once you/y’all sign up, you’ll be grouped with a mix of people from St. Gregory’s who have also signed up. We will take into consideration the preferences you state on the signup page. Then, we’ll email you contact information of your group members, as well as a list of suggestions for how to get started. Q. I’m not much of a cook. Do I really have to be able to prepare a full meal for eight or ten people to join a Feast group? A. The Feast of Friends is intended to be shared meals, and that includes the preparation. Typically, the host might provide the main dish, with other members contributing the drinks, appetizer, salad, side dish, bread, and/or dessert. Take-out dishes are fine. If you love preparing a full meal, you are welcome to do so, but that’s not the expectation. Q. I’m afraid my home isn’t going to be perfectly straightened up for company. What if my house is a mess? A. Here’s what the Feast of Friends is not: It’s not a home tour, it’s not a Martha Stewart special, and it’s not an Alice Waters extravaganza. It’s a casual gathering where the focus is on fellowship and friendship, conversation and conviviality. We meet each other where we live and accept our surroundings as they are – just like God does. Q. My home/condo/apartment isn’t large enough to hold six to ten people for a sit-down dinner. Can I still join Feast of Friends group? A. The meal doesn’t have to be a sit-down dinner! There are lots of alternatives. You could plan a menu of finger food that can be eaten on laps while sitting on sofas, chairs, or the floor. Or, when it’s your turn to host, arrange to meet at a local dim sum restaurant, the church, or use the picnic area at your neighborhood park. Don’t let limitations keep you away – think outside your four walls! Q. I have food allergies. How can I be sure that other group members’ meal contributions will be suitable for me? A. If you have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or strong taste preferences, please simply inform your group of your concerns at the beginning so that everyone understands what they need to keep in mind when they plan their menus. Everyone can make their best effort to accommodate the needs of their tablemates. Q. Is the Feast of Friends for adults only, or are children welcome to participate? A. Whether your group’s gatherings are for grown-ups only or include kids is largely up to group members. Hosting a meal for just the adults sets a particular mood, and including children creates something different. The group gets to decide how to strike a balance that accommodates the desires of each member. Q. Is there some “program” or entertainment we should offer when we gather? A. The primary goal of the Feast of Friends is to give people a chance to grow in friendship with one another as we are being formed in friendship with God. Feasts give people a chance to get to know one another better, and that is most easily accomplished through sharing our stories. There is no requirement for structured conversation. However, if the group is so inclined, you could play a game after dinner, or you could arrange to attend a movie together and then discuss it afterward over the meal. Remember, the goal is to enjoy each others company. |