Ashford Friends’ Dinner For Eight (D48)Ashford Friends’ is a ministry open to all members of the congregation. Our purpose is to strengthen friendships at Ashford United Methodist Church. Dinner for Eight (D48) is just one way to strengthen friendships. New groups of Dinner for Eight are forming NOW! for a February kick-off. Dinner for Eight is an Ashford Friends' ministry to make new friendships with Ashford people outside of the church walls. The groups meet monthly for 4 months for dinner and conversation. Participation requires no cooking ability or even room to host eight people. Eating out is acceptable. Questions and Answers: Q: How does Dinner for Eight work?
A: Simply sign-up using the form provided for you & your spouse (if you have one). You’ll then be randomly placed with others & the group of eight will be set. A Leader will be selected from the group & will call all the other members, telling them how to get to their house for dinner. During dinner, the group will agree on a schedule of whose house to go to for the next month. The group can be as creative as they choose in the setting and meals they enjoy. It is suggested that non-alcoholic beverages are served.
Q: How are Leaders selected & what do they do?
A: You can sign up to be a Leader on the sign-up form. If there are not enough Leaders for the number of groups we have, Leaders will be randomly selected from the eight people in the group. All Leaders have to do is call the other people in the group, & give them directions to their house for the first dinner on the pre-selected night. It is highly recommended to schedule all the future dinner gatherings your first night together. Leaders will then serve as a point person, as needed, for future gatherings. Q: Pre-selected night? What’s that?
A: That is the night Dinner for Eight officially starts. Most Dinner for Eight groups will begin on a Friday night; your Leader will contact you to let you know the specific date and time. However, the dinner dates for the remaining three months will be determined by the group and it is best to set the rest of the dates at the first get together. Q: All that sounds pretty good, but who cooks the dinner?
A: Whoever is hosting Dinner for Eight for that month cooks. For instance, the Leader will invite everyone over to his/her house the first month & will provide all the food, from beginning to end. Whoever hosts the dinner the following month prepares & serves that entire meal...and so on. If for any reason you are unable to host a meal, we encourage the groups to be flexible. Q: I don’t have room to host a dinner or I really can’t cook!
A: No problem! Our desire is for you to spend time eating together, getting to know each other and to include everyone. Ideas might be to repeat a host home, put potluck together, plan a picnic, or eat out. We want everyone to feel that they can participate. Q: Will there be separate Dinner for Eight groups for singles & couples?
A: NO!! Our intention is to mix EVERYONE together. That way, it’ll be more fun. Q: How will that be done?
A: As we start putting the Dinner for Eight groups together, we’ll split singles & couples into two piles, & then randomly put people together in order to make sure each group has eight people. Some groups might be all couples, some might have two couples & four singles, it all depends on who signs up. The mystery is what makes it exciting! If you wish to be in a group with a particular person(s) just list that on the registration form. We will do our best to accommodate your choice(s); however it will depend on the signups. Q: What happens at the dinner?
A: Its about food, fun and getting to know each other away from the church setting. The types of conversations and activities will be decided by the group. You may decide to play board games, watch a movie, share vacation pictures or do nothing at all. It’s up to your group. Q: This is sounding better & better, but I have kids. What happens to them?
A: The decision to include children will be determined by your group. Please indicate on the registration form if you are open to including children in you D48 group. Q: What happens when the four months are over?
A: Hopefully, you will have had such a wonderful experience that you’ll sign-up again for another round with new dinner partners! Or perhaps, you had a great time together as a group, you may decide to continue on as a group. As the groups end, you are encouraged to sign up again for brand new D48 groups. Q: This sounds like fun! Can I sign up anytime?
A: YES, sign up anytime! Sign-Up Sheet Baskets are at the back of the Sanctuary, in Fellowship Hall and the church office. Complete and return a sign-up form. Dinner for Eight groups are an ongoing process. We will continue to formally assemble groups in March, July, and November, for launching each four months of dinners beginning in April, August, and December. Once 8 people have signed up, a group will form by the second Sunday of March, July and November. For more information on participating, Email Ashford Friends |
