Church Plans It can be difficult to get started on a new project or to give life to a new idea. This section will document ideas that have been used and may spark ideas for something that could be done in your church. If you have any ideas that you have tried, please write them down and let us know.
Hospitality Day This is a simple idea that simply works! I have run a couple of these hospitality days and they seem to be a good way of getting people together who would not normally invite each other to their homes. It's also designed to allow people to break away from established friendship groups and meet other people to their homes. So what do you do and how does it work? 1. Find some people who can be hosts and offer as many options with these people as possible. For example, coffee mornings, lunches, afternoon teas or suppers work well. We have resisted dinner as it can be threatening to someone who could neither afford nor cook a lavish dinner. Always stress it is hospitality that's important, rather than trying out the latest Rick Stein recipe. Keep it simple. 2. Put up sign-up lists at church with enough spaces to fill in corresponding to how many the hosts says they can take. The list should have names and phone numbers and a deadline date. 3. Put a notice in the church bulletin saying people need to sign up and be brave! You could go to someone you may not know so well. 4. Some hosts like to invite people who don't normally go out for meals and are feeling isolated. Either way works. 5. On deadline day, take down the lists and make sure the hosts get their respective lists.
Further Ideas These ideas have all come from people who have attended seminars on Third Age living. All of them have been tried, but you may want to adapt them in your own situations. For example, as you see fit, they can include a 'talk' or not. These ideas are only meant as starting points. It is often a good idea to have another event waiting in the wings once you have decided on your first event. Always try to finish with a phrase like 'our next event will be ...' 1. Wine tasting evening Invite a wine connoisseur to talk and give some small tasters. 2. Chinese food Chinese food is quite popular, but rather than ordering a takeaway, invite a genuine Chinese chef to cook a meal. With an event like this, a short talk after the meal would work well. 3. Pub Breakfast Some pubs will do this for a men’s gathering. It’s good to have a neutral venue rather than a church hall. 4. Post-service pub trip Some people may find this difficult, but a social time is good to have following a church service or a day out together. It gives a chance for a friend to talk about the 'church experience'. 5. Start using the local village/town cafe and agree to meet there For example, third Thursday at three you could take over Costa Coffee. People who wouldn't naturally go to Costa might go if they expected to meet their friends there. 6. Christmas Eve party at home Invite your neighbours. They will often be of a similar age to you because of their housing. 7. Use a pub for a lunch on a fixed day in the month One person acts as the receiver of names and books the table. We have often seen guests at events like this.
Other Ideas Not Involving Food 1. Cut down the working week Use the day you've gained in a positive activity (Maybe organising your Third Way ministry - it often needs a 'champion'). 2. Look around at the charities in your town (Christian and non-Christian) and see if they need help Things like basics bank and night shelters often need more mature help. 3. Organisations who deal with debt are often looking for wise people used to handing finances, both for family and business purposes. 4. Short term mission trips Your church probably supports a missionary enterprise somewhere in the world. Persuade a retired couple to visit and bring back reports to the church. 5. Set up a bereavement group to support people who have lost partners It is not uncommon for widows or widowers to live at least twenty years after the death of their spouse. Offer tea and a chat for the recently bereaved and/or an annual service. 6. Encourage your church leaders to set up a 'buddy' system Mature people 'buddy up’ to younger people or families so they know that there is someone there who can help.
To share your thoughts about the CARE for the Future ministry please email Dave Fenton on dave.fenton@care.org.uk or call our Supporter Service team on 020 7233 0455.