Each week, following the Divine Liturgy, the faithful gather in adjacent St. Irene’s Hall to eat, chat, and catch up on current events… for fellowship!

It’s a time to relax and enjoy each other’s company, and to meet and greet new parishioners and visitors to the parish.  While this can be done without food and coffee, somehow these extra treats make this time together even more special.

As there is no “Fellowship Service” or  “Fellowship Committee”, the hosting of this informal party rests with the parishioners, and is entirely voluntary.  A sign-up sheet is posted in St. Irene’s Hall with spaces next to Sunday dates for individuals, families or groups to sign up to host the fellowship hour.  The idea of hosting the fellowship hour may seem a little intimidating at first, but after you read Adam Heisler’s Tips for Hosting Fellowship Hour guidelines (below), we’re sure you’ll agree it’s not difficult, and can be much fun!

Tips for Hosting Fellowship Hour

By Adam Heisler

Hosting Fellowship hour can be fun!

Have you noticed that there have been some recent Sundays with no coffee hour?  Did you feel guilty or did you put the blame on the Parish Council, Philoptochos members or the Priest?  Maybe you just thought that it was too difficult to host the fellowship hour. With proper planning, anyone can be successful!

When I first attended St. Nicholas, I was amazed at the fellowship shared after church.  I thought that I could never host this huge "party" for all these people.

Fortunately, another family offered to "co-host" with me for my first time.  It was easier than I ever thought possible.  And almost everyone said "thank you" and took the time to chat with my family and me.

He are some basic guidelines to host the coffee hour.

1) Make the coffee early enough so it's ready.  It takes 45 minutes to percolate.  The church is supplied with coffee, sugar, cups, stirrers, napkins, plates and utensils.  The directions are posted next to the pot.  Bring milk or lightener of choice.

2) Set up a kids table with cookies (2 packages) or munchkins, cider or juice (100% fruit juice is good).  Pour small cups of juice before the kids come up so they will not try to pour it themselves.

3) Set up the main table with the coffee supplies away from the counter so the line is not backed up into church.  Fill a couple of silver pitchers with coffee so the coffee distribution is faster.

4) Some ideas for food could include:

     a) 2 dozen bagels (halved or quartered), 16 oz cream cheesw,

     b) 12 small pitas (quartered or smaller), feta (1 pound), olives,

     c) Baby carrots/celery and dip.

     d) Pastry or brownies.

     e) Seedless grapes (2-4 pounds), cubed watermellon or cantaloupe.

All of the serving platters and utensils are in the kitchen.  Please clean up when you're done.

Please take the time to volunteer your time and energy to this worthy cause.  You know you've eaten enough of everyone of everyone else's food, now it's time for you to step up to the plate.  Take a look at any gaps in the sign-up sheet.  If you're still intimidated by the scope of this endeavor, feel free to ask ANY parish council member to co-host the fellowship hour.  They will gladly accept (or they will successfully corner someone else to do it!)

Good luck and... thank you very much!