Has your church ever done this? GUESS WHO IS COMING TO DINNER?

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I recently visited my mom's church in NC and every summer the congregation signs up to do a GUESS WHO IS COMING TO DINNER. It is a really fun way to get the congregation together in small groups of 8.

They usually have 20 couples sign up, with 4 couples each month hosting 4 couples at a different house. You get a number when you sign up and then you host it at your house only once (it could be Sunday brunch, dinner, or lunch--what ever the host decides). It is up to the host if they invite an additional guest.

There is a matrix that assigns each guest what to bring and which house to go to. There are four separate dinners each month and the pastor can be invited to all of the dinners or they can participate as a host themselves. The hostess does the main dish, and the 3 guest couples bring a side dish, or a dessert or bread (I think). It is always a surprise who gets together, because it is different each time. EVeryone loves it, even the unbelieving spouses!

I am trying to find the matrix and the rules because our church wants to start it here and some other friends want to start it. I know that many churches are struggling to get fellowship going, and I'll be happy to share the rules and matrix with you all, as soon as I get them.

By the way, they do it as adults, but I am toying with the idea of doing a children's group as well, and suggesting it be in the afternoons.

[Can't Wait!]

Wow, it sounds like lots of fun! :): If you get the information would you post it here?

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Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
Supper Club Roster & Guidelines

This ministry is proposed to enable church attendees to get to know other church attendees by having dinner in each other’s homes. Dinners are once a month starting in the fall and continue through the spring. Sign-up is done on Sundays during the month of August, and new parties may contact the sponsors listed below to join in after the start date. After the first 20 sign up, we’ll take names as alternates and start a wait list for the next group of 20. In September we’ll try to schedule a potluck or picnic to kick off the Supper Club season.

Many churches have more than 200 people participate in this ministry. The purpose of supper clubs is to provide an atmosphere which helps Christians deepen and develop friendships in the church family. If you are a new member or a regular attendee, supper clubs provide a delightful opportunity to make new friends and meet new people. Singles, couples, old, and young are encouraged to sign up. This Supper club meets monthly rotating through the members’ homes. The monthly host prepares the entree and the other members bring salad, vegetable and dessert. Please note that you do NOT have to host a dinner in your home in order to join (just let me know asap if you cannot be a host). If you would like to be included in this ministry of good food, great fun, and Christian fellowship, please indicate on the Sign up Sheet or email ___________ by August 25 at ________________ .

Supper Club is suggested to be held on the third Friday, Saturday or Sunday brunch of each month, but it is entirely up to the hostess to call the other 4 assigned couples several weeks ahead to coordinate the final date, time, location and menu. Supper can include a dinner, lunch or a brunch that is suitable to all invitees.

Dinner hosts are encouraged to invite new or prospective church members to come as guests to any dinner group. If any member of the team cannot make the dinner at the last minute, they are free to ask an alternate from the alternate list, send a stand in or ask the hostess to invite a stand in replacement.

Each couple only hosts the Supper Club at their home once with the assigned couples rotating each month per the attached matrix. Children are not included since 8 people are usually the largest group that most dining rooms and homes can accommodate. (If we get enough requests, we will start a family supper club next season).

Do not worry if your house is not large or elegant. Successful supper clubs have been organized at parks, on moving boxes with folding chairs. Be creative! We suggest wearing nametags in the beginning. This is an ideal way for long time members to stay in touch with one another and for new members to become acquainted with each other.

Questions? Call or Email COORDINATOR...

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Directions:
The dinner groups for each month are determined by reading across from left to right.

Names of participants correspond with numbers on the chart.
The part of the dinner for which each couple is responsible each month is determined by the VERTICAL columns. Read the columns from LEFT to RIGHT.

Column 1 The HOST: Responsible for the date, time & place, the entrée & complimentary side dish. (I.e. rice, potatoes or pasta & beverage)

Column 2 Vegetable Dish

Column 3 Salad & Bread

Column 4 Dessert

Dinner HOSTS are encouraged to invite new or prospective church visitors to come as guests to any
dinner group. If a regular member of your group cannot attend, please call an alternate.

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September Matrix (change the month to correspond with your first month)

1 6 11 16
2 7 12 17
3 8 13 18
4 9 14 19
5 10 15 20

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OCTOBER Matrix

19 1 7 13
20 2 8 14
16 3 9 15
17 4 10 11
18 5 6 12

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NOVEMBER Matrix

15 17 1 8
11 18 2 9
12 19 3 10
13 20 4 6
14 16 5 7


DECEMBER Matrix

9 12 20 1
10 13 16 2
6 14 17 3
7 15 18 4
8 11 19 5