Saint Matthew’s Parish Fellowship Commission
The Fellowship Commission is intended as a place of hospitality and friendship for parishioners, and acts as an ambassador or greeter for those new to Saint Matthew’s. The Commission hosts several social events during the year to promote fellowship within the church community, and to help new parishioners deepen their sense of relationship in our parish. Whether serving as members of the Fellowship Commission or attending an event which we sponsor, we are often the first social experience for many members of the parish.
Fellowship Events & Activities 2010 - 2011
Fellowship Potluck Dinner
This year we will have a casual potluck dinner at the home of Amy and Charlie Baker to kick off the year for the Fellowship Commission. Husbands included and encouraged! Let’s put some fellowship in Fellowship!
Date: Friday, September 24, 2010
Location: 237 Mabery Road
Co-chairs: Maggie Cwiertnia, Erica McLoughlin
Christmas Brunch
A wonderful new tradition is Fellowship’s second annual Christmas brunch for family and friends in the Sprague Center following the 10:15am service.
Date: Sunday, December 12, 2010
Location: Sprague Center
Co-chairs: Amy Baker*, Andrea Barton, Brooke Crane, Carolyn Matteson, Sujie Min, Kristin Waters
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner
This traditional last feast before the beginning of Lent is a fun evening for the entire family. Fellowship hosts a dinner of pancakes and sausages and Mardi Gras themed crafts and games for children.
Date: Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Location: Parish Center
Co-chairs: Alicia Ames*, Katarina Hyde, Liana Martin, Kristin Waters
Lenten Soup Nights
The Lenten Soup Night series provides an opportunity for participants to gather together in community to call to mind the solemnity of the season of Lent, to study and to share a simple communal meal. The Fellowship Commission coordinates the meal for these evenings.
Dates: Wednesdays, March 16, 30 and April 13, 2011
Location: Parish Center
Co-chairs: Ingrid Keifer, Liz Rahn, Rachael Robertson*
Maundy Thursday Dinner
This event takes place the Thursday before Easter to commemorate the Last Supper and to reenact Jesus' washing of his disciples' feet. After a simple and solemn meal and the ceremonial foot washing, the evening will conclude with the 7:30pm Eucharist.
Date: Thursday, April 21, 2011
Location: Parish Center
Co-chairs: Brooke Crane*, Heather Kadenacy, Sarah Kline
Easter Vigil Reception
A champagne and dessert reception is hosted by Fellowship following the lovely Easter Vigil service. This is a very special evening.
Date: Saturday, April 23, 2011
Location: Church Courtyard
Co-chairs: Kristin Grove, Wendy Meyer*, Betty Jo Tilley
End of the Year Party
This is our chance to come together one last time as a group and celebrate each other. This is also a great night to introduce new and interested parish members to the Fellowship Commission. A light dinner and a lot of wine are served.
Date: Thursday, June 2, 2011
Location: TBD
Co-chairs: Maggie Cwiertnia, Erica McLoughlin
Pentecost Sunday
Fellowship hosts the "birthday" celebration of the church at a reception with cake, cookies and punch following the Sunday morning services.
Date: Sunday, June 12, 2011
Location: Church Courtyard
Co-chairs: Kristen Chambers, Amanda Larson*
Refreshments After Services
Throughout the year Fellowship coordinates refreshments following the 10:15 Sunday service for the 2009-2010 year.
Date: Ongoing
Location: Church Courtyard
Co-chairs: Kristen Langan*, Emily Sullivan
*Denotes there is a binder and you are responsible for getting, coordinating the first group meeting or phone call and returning the binder with an event recap form enclosed in a timely manner.
Fellowship Commission Mission Statement
The Fellowship Commission provides hospitality and creates a place of welcome for all, members and non-members, at St. Matthew’s. The Fellowship-sponsored events help build a sense of Christian Community within the parish.
Fellowship Commission events include:
- Foyer Potluck Supper Kick-off Dinner
- Christmas Brunch
- Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
- Lenten Soup Nights
- Maundy Thursday Foot washing and Dinner
- Easter Vigil Reception
- Pentecost Sunday
Serving on one of these events or participating in one is often the first social experience for those new to the parish.
The Fellowship Commission provides parishioners an opportunity to serve on a ministry in a casual, flexible environment. It is a setting of spiritual formation and friendship for members old and new.
How to Join
Requirements
Those of us serving on the Fellowship Commission are often some of the first people to meet and welcome Saint Matthew’s newest members. As such, there are several expectations we have in order to make this experience enjoyable.
- Members need to attend the monthly meeting to support each other,
and to enhance coordination of the events.
- Each member will be responsible for co-chairing one event and helping
out on two others.
- As ambassadors for those coming to Saint Matthew’s, it is important that members attend church frequently, if not regularly so that people can see you and get to know you, and so you can do the same for others.
New Member Reception
Fellowship hosts a reception in the spring to celebrate the past year’s events and to introduce and welcome new members to the Commission.
Date: TBD
Location: Founders’ Patio
New members are also welcome at the Fellowship Commission’s kick-off meeting in the fall on October 2, 2009 and at meetings throughout the year.
Contact Us
If you would like more information about the Fellowship Commission or any of the events or meeting dates, please contact the Parish Office at (310) 454-1358.