The Party Planning Vicar

I love parties! I love people! I love hosting people! In DC I have a beautiful home and a wonderful basement/youth room (pool table included), so I knew immediately after arriving here that I would be hosting many parties. For the past three Sundays I have hosted parties/gatherings. SPY - the high school youth group was invited over for spaghetti and games. The young adult group came over for socializing and a potluck with the main dish being sloppy joes. SPY Jr. - the middle school youth group rounded out the social events with a pizza party and game night. This has been so much fun! There has been so much laughter, energy, fellowship, and food in my house in the past few weeks. I can confidently say that these are the people that I know in DC and at the congregation I am serving. This is why small group ministry is so important. It is not only important for me, a new vicar in a strange environment. It is important for these people. It is important to know other people and for other people to know you. It is important to be in fellowship and in community. It is important to gather around a table for food and drink. To me this is just another element of Eucharistic fellowship. As the party planner I am the host of the meal, graciously giving of what I have. The guests are the receivers, thankful for the gift given. That was the surprising part. My guests were so thankful. I expected some of them to say thank you -- but they were overwhelmingly thankful. To me this shows the importance of party planning -- the importance of fellowship -- the importance of hospitality. Thanks be to God for modeling the ultimate hospitality -- the ultimate fellowship -- the ultimate party planning!