Are you hungry for opportunities to get to know people better or meet new people? Try Dining Together!
Sign up using the form below to join a Table Group, which will start meeting this Fall. Each individual, family, or couple who signs up will be grouped with approximately two other individuals, families, or couples to form a Table Group. From October to March, each Table Group member will host the others in their group for a meal plus one other guest or set of guests from within or outside Rock of the Foothills. Guest invitations are up to the hosting individual or family. We hope each Table Group will dine together at least 3 times over the 6-month period and host a variety of additional guests.
The Table Group can help the hosts by bringing food, drinks, games, or other supplies, but the guests are simply guests. You can host in your home, backyard, at a park, or talk to the office about using the Fellowship Hall.
If you are unsure if you can participate because of space limitations, physical limitations, transportation restrictions, or any other reason but the opportunity for fellowship sounds like just what you need, please do reach out to Anna Spring or office@rocklaverne.com and appropriate accommodations will be made.
Feel free to include any questions or concerns you may have in the sign up form below. FAQ are also addressed below the form. Sign-up by October 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the point of Dining Together? Dining Together is an opportunity for people to share meals with others inside and outside Rock of the Foothills’ worshipping community. The emphasis is on fellowship, which means there is no accompanying Bible Study or other agenda - it’s just to enjoy the company of family and friends and invite the Holy Spirit to be present with us as we share food and time together. We hope that people will get to know each other across differing ages, life stages, worship service attendance, etc.
How does Dining Together work? When you sign up (see form above), you will be placed in a Table Group. The primary mode of communication will be email since it is easiest to include a group of people in the same communication. Each group will coordinate together to schedule dinner dates and hosting members. It’s up to each hosting member to ask their other Table Group members to bring food, drinks, games, etc. It is also up to each hosting member who they want to invite as an outside guest or guests.
Who can be a Table Group guest? Each meal shared together should include an additional guest or set of guests outside the assigned Table Group. Each meal host will determine who the guest(s) will be and will extend the invitation to that particular meal they are hosting. It can be someone who attends worship or events at Rock of the Foothills OR it can be someone who has never been to Rock. If hosts need help finding a guest they would like to invite, they can ask their Table Group for suggestions or reach out to our Dining Together coordinators.
How long do Table Groups meet? We hope each Table Group will be able to meet 3 times over the course of 6 months with each member hosting the group once. The hosting member will dictate the timing for each meeting (e.g. 5-7PM or 12-1PM). While we’ve imagined this structure, it is up to each individual Table Group to determine what will work best for them.
What if we want to keep meeting after 6 months? Wonderful! This was just a framework to help facilitate meeting new people and getting to know others better. If the last 6 months have gone well, we will also coordinate reshuffling groups and adding in new people so you can get to know others!
What if I’m not a cook or host? There is no expectation of culinary perfection and it is OK to bring or serve things purchased at the store or a restaurant. And if having people in your home is difficult or uncomfortable, you could meet at a park, in the Fellowship Hall, or at a restaurant.
When will Dining Together start? We’ll collect sign ups during the month of September and assign Table Groups in October. Groups can begin scheduling/meeting as soon as they have been assigned.
What if I missed signing up in September? Fill out the form above anyway and we will try to fit you into an existing Table Group. If the first 6 months of Dining Together goes well, we will coordinate reshuffling groups and adding in new people. If you prefer to wait until a new group is formed, we can contact you then.
What about kids? If you would like for your kids to participate with you in Dining Together, list their names and ages in your sign up form. We’ll make sure to place you in a Table Group that is excited to host kids! If they are picky eaters, that’s ok - you can add notes in your sign up form for hosts to know about or you can offer to bring food to a host’s house that you know your kid’s will enjoy. If your kids (or you) have early bedtimes, let your Table Group know and you can schedule times and days that will work for everyone.