Present:  Doris Prince, Kathy Smith, Joann Marksberry, Geri Preisser-Chairman
Absent:  Dorothy Mercer, Hilde Crossley, Doris Rathel, Betty Wickfeldt

Geri Preisser opened the meeting with a reading of Acts 2:42 as a devotion and committee directive.

The committee reviewed and commented on the topics related to Fellowship received during the Every Member Speaks Campaign.  The following priorities were recommended:

Keep current fellowship activities:

   Holly Follies– held in December
   Family congregational banquet (currently held in May)
   Family picnic– currently held in August or September
   Valentine¹s Day Dance– Emily Tomes is coordinating this year along with the Village.

Selected as #1 Priorities:

More frequent New Member Recognition/Reception– we feel that as new members are brought into the church, there should be a reception for all to get to know each other better.  These need to be held immediately following new member inductions, whether by transfer or adult confirmation. 

Family movie night held quarterly– each movie night will be themed, either as a dinner, ice cream social, movie under the stars etc.  the first one will be held during the 2nd quarter of this year (April, May or June)
 

   Family Bible Study (1st meeting at church, break down into smaller groups to meet at homes of members or to stay as a larger group if desired)– Materials will be provided by the church for each group after they make a decision as to what to study, where to meet, how often to meet, etc.  By meeting first at church as a larger group, the participants can then see who is participating and then break down into smaller groups if they like, or continue as a larger group.  By Family we mean ALL members are welcome, couples, singles, families with small children, families with older children.  This is meant to be a group that does not single out just women or men or young adults.  ALL WILL BE WELCOME TO FELLOWSHIP AND STUDY!!

Selected as #2 Priorities:

   Octoberfest at church or elsewhere– we will be asking council to consider allowing alcohol to be served on Church property to bring back this once popular Fellowship opportunity.  We would like to be able to hold it on church property.  If not, we will look for another location.  We would like to make this an annual event, starting this Fall.

Selected as #3 Priorities:

Dinners for 8
   Progressive dinners at church, using school rooms we feel that if more fellowship opportunities are needed, to get more people involved we will start up these dinner groups once again.  Since they involve small groups, they are low on our list of priorities.  We hope that by having “family” style fellowship opportunities we will engage more members to participate.

Once we have set a calendar of events, we will have a “brochure” left in the pews as a reminder to all what Fellowship opportunities are available.  By having the information in the pews, visitors will be able to see what opportunities are available for them to meet more members.

Other suggestions determined to fall into other categories than Fellowship:

   Updating photos of new members on bulletin board
   Reactivate telephone committee
   Develop and distribute New Member Packet
   Orientation of new members.  Different groups (e.g., Men¹s Groups) send special invitations to new members to attend.

updated:  February, 2008