Two years ago we instituted Young Adults Dinner once a month after church. On this day, any young adults we can find at church, and anyone the girls have invited from their networks of school friends, are encouraged to come for Sunday dinner.
I've really grown to love this time. I gave up on trying to present Interesting and Varied meals, and instead just go for really tasty, and plenty of food. Generally featuring chicken. But the best part, of course, is the young adults gathered around our table.
You know, you could do this too. Or you could do something really small. Just once. Or more. You could, and you should.
Should I? I like the idea. You seem to have some fabulous gatherings. However, I don't know many people and the people I do know mostly don't know each other. Also, I'm pretty reserved and I would say that is probably fairly true (on average) of my friends too, so I really worry it would end up being a group of people sitting around awkwardly and not saying anything!
ReplyDeleteKathleen
We hosted some church singles in December for the first time , I also had a few families come and it was wonderful. I had a casual buffet. Some watched football and most played board games, but all talked and mingled. I was trying to decide about doing it again and now you've given me the push I needed!
ReplyDeleteKathleen, Your friends who don't know each other would get to know each other because you invited them. Serve some good food and they will come!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Thank you for the encouragement, dear Anna.
ReplyDeleteThere isn't much I enjoy more than young adults around my table! I'd love to have a bigger table!
ReplyDeleteAmen!
ReplyDeleteWe did similar our first few years of marriage- every other Friday, open door policy to anyone (coworkers, classmates, neighbors, family), homemade pizza and speed Uno... bring a drink or dessert to share if you want. We got weird mixes of people and once crammed 18 into our tiny apartment, all playing one game of cards. It was amazing! We've since added babies and so have to be a little more selective about crowd size and selection, but are still always glad we opened our home!
ReplyDeleteWould you consider providing a menu and recipes?
ReplyDeletelove this! Our church had a host family program, where one family would be the Sunday host and would invite any visitors over for dinner that Sunday. It petered out, and that makes me sad. In our busy, disconnected world, I think it is critically important to nurture each other with hospitality. Oh my, I'm preaching. But I agree with you so much, and esp. young adults can be sort of drifting between college and the settled life of marriage/kids/middle age.
ReplyDeleteOh! I also remember a Goshen College professor and his wife who would invite college students over every weekend to socialize. They always made chili to keep it easy for themselves!
I echo Becky Brown's comment...I would love some ideas.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I love people and enjoy having them over. My biggest struggle, though, is what to make that isn't too complicated (or, to be honest, too expensive). And I do enjoy cooking, but I get a little intimidated by cooking for more than, say, 10 or 15.
I so appreciate your approach to every aspect of life, especially hospitality. Would love any tips and info you have!
Yes! We've done this lots of times. So nice to know your children's friends.
ReplyDeleteYes, I will do some menus and recipes soon.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in college a senior couple (in their 80s!) hosted a student brunch at their home every Saturday. She always made bread and he scrambled up a whole lot of eggs and they always had homemade jam and pots of hot coffee. Any student from our school who wanted to could join. Generally about 15 of us would show up and they would set up extra folding tables so everyone had a sat. After we ate we each went around the table and said a prayer request (they gave us pencils and paper to write them down) and then we would all prayer for each other. The husband and wife would each read a passage from the word that had struck them in some way and it was always so encouraging. It was so wonderful and set such a great example for us. It was lovely to be in a home and also to get to know the other students through the lively discussions around the table.
ReplyDeleteAmen!! Good encouragement....thank you, Anna.
ReplyDeleteAnd invite some 70 and 80 year olds at the same gathering for all will be richly blessed!
ReplyDeleteI am not strong in the hospitality department, but I lead a book group of high school girls (at a non-profit that serves refugee families). I always brought (store-bought) snacks, but this fall, we had a couple of times when there was no space to meet at the center, so my husband and I hauled everyone to our house. And I made homemade cookies. Well. Attendance is better when we meet at our house. Homemade treats feel like a party. For many reasons, we still usually meet at the center. But I've come to feel the 30 minutes or an hour I spend baking a treat for Thursday might be as important as my more academic preparations. Thanks for this good reminder.
ReplyDeleteGood work, Anna! This is critical to both mentoring young adults, and also to learning from them. There is so much to learn. I applaud you and consider your call seriously. Margo - I'm Mennonite too! Also in a city (Seattle). "Goshen" caught my eye ;). Hospitality is one of my favorite central themes of the Gospels. Carry on!
ReplyDeleteI am eagerly awaiting your menus and recipes, Anna! 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you for the nudge,Anna! God has been pushing me in this direction and I kept debating about how I would go about opening our home up. Thank you for the suggestions!
ReplyDeleteAmy F.