A Volley from the Canon, #50

SUMMER SOCIALS

Somehow, Coffee Hour, that sacred Episcopal institution, sounds less appealing in summer. Sure, there are those of us who need our post-worship jolt in any season. But many of us would just as soon get it in a cooler, breezier way when the weather turns warm.

That undercroft gathering space may seem a bit dark and caveish in summer, too.

If there is a level shady spot outdoors, why not try moving the coffee hour al fresco for summer? Some people will still want coffee—but what if it is available iced as well as hot? How about fresh-brewed iced tea? Real lemonade? Those summer treats hearken to lazier, more relaxed past days, but they also invite folks to relax and unwind together a little longer in present days, too. Ice cream bars and sandwiches make terrific summer after-church snacks, too, and a welcome break from the all-donut diet.

It is always a challenge to get hosts to do things a little differently, when they have learned a routine. For encouraging Sunday attendance through the summer, and for welcoming the guests who continue to drop in during summer months, however, variety lends a very attractive spice. It may be well worth the hospitality committee’s time and effort to do a little additional sales, training, and coordinating to produce a memorable summer routine.