The Evolution of a Party

The start of a new year and feeling the need to improve in our practice of hospitality, my housemate and I decide to host a "Favorite Things" party -- after the urging (and invitation making) of a friend. 

A Favorite Things party involved each guest bringing three sets of a favorite thing(s) valuing at $6 each.  The favorite things are exchanged between guests via a drawing so everyone goes home with a new favorite thing. 

We went with a simple winter theme by using what we had a round the house and my housemate's elf-ish flare for whimsical decorating. 

We made paper snowflakes!

Water tinted with blue food-coloring was added to pretty bottle.

A variety of blue and silver decorative items were arranged with white and blue sting lights to add a little twinkle.

I rummaged through our collection of gift bags and found enough winter themed ones to use for the party favors, which included a notebook and pen.

Name tags were pre-made and included the meaning of each name.

Inspiring quotes were written on the place-cards.

As each guest arrived with their three favorite things, they wrote their name on three slips of paper and tossed it in a bowl.

The brunch menu was simple with several guests bringing a contribution.  I made a spinach egg bake and a fun "winter" punch:  2-liter bottle of lemon lime soda, 64 oz white cranberry juice, 1 package blue Kool-aide.  For floating garnish, add frozen blueberries and frozen mini-marshmallows!

We learned more about each other through a Scatagories style game and then launched into the big event -- each lady, having drawn three names from the bowl, enthusiastically show-and-tell their favorite things and then present them to the names drawn.

It was a fun and successful morning, yet what I find the most interesting is how this group of women, some of whom hadn't met before, within minutes evolved from a social gathering into what I call The Church.  I chafe at much of the traditional church, becoming cynical and abrasive at traditions that have become cliche and set schedules that become service and ministry.  As I watched before me this evolution, my heart sang as this is The Church for which my soul longs to be a part.

It so naturally transpired as we ate and one began telling of some challenges her family was facing.  The room was thick with sincere empathy and compassion, which led one to simply say, "We need to pray...do you mind?"  We circled the one with the weary soul and spoke to God on her behalf, which lead to many other petitions and thank yous.  There was no questioning of denominational backgrounds, no blanket "I'm sorry.  I will pray for you," no rush to the next thing; but rather it was love in action. 

The "fellowship" continued and deepened as each read aloud the quote on their place card, which was written without consideration of whose card it was. Several declared the quote was perfect -- Providentially perfect.  

The party was declared to truly be a "retreat" and to me it was The Church -- a living entity that reaches out to those known and unknown, to invite them in to share life -- food, stories, heartaches, delights; to encourage and build-up -- through listening, providing counsel and meeting immediate needs; to point to Jesus -- quotes, conversation,  and prayer.  

Lessons learned

• It's good to step out of my box and play at being the Social Coordinator.
• One never knows what God has up his sleeve!
• God delivers messages to us individually -- uniquely; this was a lesson I needed to see in action.
• Marshmallows are cute in punch -- but it ends there.