Sharing a Meal at FAC Southwest
On February 11-12, our weekend gatherings focused on “Let’s Eat!“, a continuation of our “In Habit” series, as Pastors Jeff, Les, and Hernando challenged us to explore what it looks like to embrace connection with friends, coworkers, family — anyone God places on our hearts — over a meal.
At the Southwest Campus, they did just that, potluck-style, and even sang “Happy Birthday” to one member who celebrated a big milestone! Campus Development Director & Southwest Campus Pastor, Jeff Marshall shares how the potluck came together:
“We began FAC Southwest in the fall of 2019. We had four great months and then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. We had just begun to build relationships…and suddenly, we were all forced to move online. Although we stayed connected with one another on Zoom and even met online after the weekly service streaming; it was just not the same as being face to face and getting to learn more about each other.
Since the pandemic has settled down and all restrictions have been lifted, it’s been on my heart to see our culturally diverse church family get to know each other better. We started with a surprise pizza lunch a month ago, and the response to staying and connecting after the service was very positive. So I thought let’s take the next step and invite everyone to bring food and stay and connect more!
Over 220 people enjoyed great homemade food and great conversation together. I’m already planning for our next one!”
We asked a few people what their favourite part about the FAC Southwest potluck was…
PAIGE FLEWELLING
“Singing happy birthday to one of our church family members and to be able to celebrate such a big milestone in our community was just so great and special! It just made me feel like people are seen and known at the Southwest Campus. I thought it was so special to celebrate just community in general: the potluck made FAC Southwest feel like home.”
ONYIE EKENE-OBI
“My favourite part was the food and community! I always love it at the Southwest Campus. It feels like a warm hug there.”
MORGAN CLARK
“I mean, the food was amazing … but it was so nice to connect with people after the service! I feel like I still don’t know many at FAC Southwest, so the potluck and sharing a meal together was a great opportunity to meet those I might not otherwise have had a chance to meet!”
ANDREA ARDIN
“A highlight for me was all the cultures that were being represented through the food!”
SAVANNAH OTENG
“I loved that we got to gather as a church family and that we got to meet new people and eat together. We had such a great time trying new foods. Sharing communion together was also really meaningful!”
RUEL CASTILLO
“My favourite part was the variety of food and the fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ.”
KALEE PERRY
“My favourite part of the Southwest potluck was how everyone is one big family. I love how it was focused on community and that even if you weren’t part of the FAC family and just wanted to check what was going on, you were welcomed with a big smile and amazing food!”
No matter what FAC campus you call home, finding ways and creating opportunities to get to know each other beyond the weekend services is what it’s all about! In cased you missed it, here’s 5 Shareable Meal Ideas from Harvest Ministries that you can try out and use as an opportunity for inviting people to your table. But guess what? It can also be as simple as inviting someone over for coffee and dessert one night, or sharing a meal at a restaurant if cooking isn’t your thing.
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