Valentine's Gathering 2010
Valentine’s Day isn’t just a day for sweethearts, at least not at WCC. For a fun all-church gathering, the women’s ministry planned an evening of fellowship and food—what more could you want?
About 5:30 on the afternoon of Valentine’s Day, families began dropping children off to enjoy a couple of hours of fun in the children’s ministry rooms. Out in the sanctuary, Valentine’s gathering attendees milled around, chatting with friends, and meeting new faces. To make sure everyone had a chance to mingle, each individual plucked half of a paper heart from a basket. The trick was to find the match to your heart, cut in a distinctive pattern. With the two halves together, a little get-to-know you question would appear—“What’s your favorite vacation spot? What’s your favorite thing in your closet?”
After some laughter, everyone found their match for the moment and then the dinner plan was revealed, along with a pre-meal prayer.
“You might be wondering why you do not see or smell any food,” smiled the evening’s organizer, who’d announced a Mexican meal earlier in the week. “We’re going on a little trip.”
A curious murmur rippled through the crowd as everyone bundled up for the chilly outdoor air. Just two blocks away, the local Mexican restaurant reserved an entire side for the 40 plus guests heading their way. To find seats, couples and individuals drew table numbers—a fun way to sit and share a meal with someone you might not otherwise get to know better.
After a tasty meal and noisy conversation punctuated with laughter, everyone bundled up again and took the short walk back to church. Each person received a number and found their way to one of the tables set up in the sanctuary. Another opportunity to visit, but this time with dessert and another game to play. It turned out to be an eight-table game of Pictionary. One artist from each table checked the clue, then returned to their team to draw. Whoever figured out the clue first stood up as quickly as they could—the fastest won a point.
As the evening drew to a close, there was one more surprise—a drawing for concert tickets. What a nice gift for the couple that won! The 2010 Valentine’s Day gathering accomplished the goal of a night of church fellowship and fun for the kids and the grown-ups alike.