Ideas needed for church social activities

[jrabs]

Hi. I have been asked to coordinate my parish social events for the year. It is our 40th anniversary and our priest would like to do some special events - but will leave ideas up to me.

Other than coffee hour each Sunday and a summer picnic, we do not really socialize as a parish. As I understand, we used to, but the same old people ran the events and suffered coordination burnout.

What do you do in your parish for social events? What have you done for special celebrations or anniversaries?

And do you have any ideas on how to get families to participate/volunteer?

Thanks for your ideas.

 

[space_ghost]

Think about a Night At the Movies… If you have the facilities, have a showing of movies (approved by the church of course) that the whole family can watch… suggested movies, The Scarlet and the Black (true story) Starring Gregory Peck…

Have popcorn, have a prize for a certain numbered chair, have other refreshments… have an intermission for breaks and socializing…

 

[jrabs]

space ghost:

Think about a Night At the Movies… If you have the facilities, have a showing of movies (approved by the church of course) that the whole family can watch… suggested movies, The Scarlet and the Black (true story) Starring Gregory Peck…

Have popcorn, have a prize for a certain numbered chair, have other refreshments… have an intermission for breaks and socializing…

nice! I like that. Thanks

 

[puzzleannie]

former pastor belonged to a barbershop quartet, Men’s club sponsored a barbershop night, with several local quartets and a mass chorus. it was a cabaret concert with tables and chairs, beer, wine, softdrinks, snacks provided by parish ladies. We sold tickets by the table, and a lot of people brought food for their table.

we also had hospitality sunday once a month, with special invitation to new parishioners, each month hosted by a different parish organization. it involved a trip to the west side for krispy kremes, but well worth the effort.

we also had “girls night out” once a month or so, with a speaker or presentation and pot luck dinner, nice place settings, candles etc., put on by adult ed committee

 

[Gwyn]

Our parish to has coffee after Sunday masses and Parish picnic.

However the Knights of our parish organize many family events that we love- Pasta nights, bowling night, kids Christmas party, a few Dances.

When we were in India, we always had a fair/fete for the parish feast that normally ran for a week. There would be game stalls, food stalls, craft stalls. Each night there was a different event - Fancy Dress compettition, Dance competition, Singing Contest, …

Good Luck with your events

 

[SeekerJen]

puzzleannie:

former pastor belonged to a barbershop quartet, Men’s club sponsored a barbershop night, with several local quartets and a mass chorus. it was a cabaret concert with tables and chairs, beer, wine, softdrinks, snacks provided by parish ladies. We sold tickets by the table, and a lot of people brought food for their table.

Our parish recently did something similar. The choirs hosted a “Broadway Revue” in the parish hall. It was similar in that we had cabaret seating, refreshments, etc. The choir did a few Broadway choral arrangements, interspersed with about 20 solo/small ensemble numbers done by various choir members. It was a big hit and a sell-out.

We also have things like the annual St. Pat’s Day corned beef dinner (as we were originally founded by Irish Catholics), the Youth Group spaghetti dinner, Palm Sunday pancake breakfast, and the parish summer picnic. There is also a tradition of having “Lenten Soup Suppers”. Each Tuesday during Lent, parishoners will provide soup and bread for the meal, followed by Mass with a guest priest. And on Holy Thursday, there is a potluck before the Mass- all parishoners are invited.

And of course, there’s always coffee hour after Mass. Our choir hosted one in October (in our brand new hall!), and before I got myself roped into kitchen duty I got to meet a number of parishoners who stopped by for refreshments after Mass. Different groups take care of coffee hour, and that helps prevent burnout.

 

[BRC]

These are not special 40th anniversary type things but —

Some of the churches in our area have leauges. For example a bowling leauge.

How about the parishes could get together and form a softball leauge — teams from each church play each other — mens team, womens, kids all have their own team…

One popular thing that I know of is open gym night. Typically middle aged, out of shape guys, like myself, like to get together with some other fellas from the church and play some hoops for a couple hours once or twice a week.

Thursday night couples golf leauge.

 

[jrabs]

Thanks to everyone for sharing your ideas. They are helpful and a good springboard for me to present parish council.

 

[sparkle]

jrabs:

Hi. I have been asked to coordinate my parish social events for the year. It is our 40th anniversary and our priest would like to do some special events - but will leave ideas up to me.

Other than coffee hour each Sunday and a summer picnic, we do not really socialize as a parish. As I understand, we used to, but the same old people ran the events and suffered coordination burnout.

What do you do in your parish for social events? What have you done for special celebrations or anniversaries?

And do you have any ideas on how to get families to participate/volunteer?

Thanks for your ideas.

Plan a nite at the symphony, opera, play or musical! Buy a bunch of group tickets and advertise them in the church bulletin, when they’re gone–they’re gone. But everyone will sit together and have a wonderful evening!!! Even parents with kids over 10 can enjoy such an evening! IMO, there are just not enough cultural events in most parishes. I know one church that buys about 200 tickets every Christmas for the local theatre’s production of “A Christmas Carol”—first come–first served—tickets are sold in the church office—when they’re gone–they’re gone --and it’s always a blast!!! Just be sure to buy enough tickets!!!

Have fun!!! What a wonderful way to volunteer in your parish jrabs. I’d like to do something similar in my new parish!!! Keep us informed what you decide!!!

 

[sparkle]

puzzleannie:

we also had “girls night out” once a month or so, with a speaker or presentation and pot luck dinner, nice place settings, candles etc., put on by adult ed committee

LOVE this idea!!!

 

[jrabs]

Thanks again! This whole thing of me organizing the entrie year of 40th anniv. events is pretty amusing if you ask me. I have only been in my parish 6 months - I volunteered to help at the picnic to get to know people and BAM, I get this phone call asking if I wouldn’t mind being coordinator for the anniversary year.

I want to do it because I think people need to participate to enrich the church, but now I need to figure out how to get others to step forward too.

Any ideas on how to get volunteers? From what I hear and what I have seen, the same old people volunteer then get tired and worn out.

 

[kwitz]

At Halloween we had a “Trunk or Treat”. You parked your car in a parking spot, the kids dressed up and went “trunk or treating” from car to car. It’s a huge tailgate type party. Contests for best costume, most decorated car etc. There was a DJ outside and games for the kids in the gym. You could pre-order pizza or bring your own food. It cost $5 a car and while its purpose isn’t really to fundraise, it actually made a decent amount of money. The key is that cars have to be in the lot by a designated time and no one can leave till a preset time so the kids can run free.

It was so popular, that at least 2 other parishes in the area had one also this year.

Kris

 

[jrabs]

kwitz:

At Halloween we had a “Trunk or Treat”. You parked your car in a parking spot, the kids dressed up and went “trunk or treating” from car to car. It’s a huge tailgate type party. Contests for best costume, most decorated car etc. There was a DJ outside and games for the kids in the gym. You could pre-order pizza or bring your own food. It cost $5 a car and while its purpose isn’t really to fundraise, it actually made a decent amount of money. The key is that cars have to be in the lot by a designated time and no one can leave till a preset time so the kids can run free.

It was so popular, that at least 2 other parishes in the area had one also this year.

Kris

Completely awesome idea! Thanks