Forest Lake Talks

A Message from Ellen

August 28, 2019

Dear Friends,

For as long as anyone can remember, Wednesday nights were “church” nights.  At Forest Lake, Wednesday nights have been called Kirk Night (the word “Kirk” is a Scottish word for “church”) since the 1970’s!  It has been a time to eat together, to study together and to build community together.  I know of at least one long time couple who met at Kirk Night! 

But as with all of life, things change and “business as usual” is under more pressure because of the increasing speed of life and the ever expanding number of responsibilities and choices that our culture provides.  Education Ministry has been talking for years now about what Wednesday nights at Forest Lake ought to be and what purpose they should serve.  Last Spring, Education brought this discussion to Session, and the strong opinion was that “Kirk Nights” should continue.  But exactly what they should look like and what would be worth our investment is not entirely clear.

One of the strongest suggestions Education received was that the food was not sufficient.  People like to eat together, but what the food should be like has generated a lot of discussion.  I can summarize what I have heard this way:  We would like for the food to be fresh and healthy with lots of good vegetables, a salad bar, a child’s menu option and we would like for the prices to be about $5 per adult.  While I agree with that opinion, I am not optimistic that this can all be accomplished this side of the Kingdom of Heaven.  What I can tell you is that a small, but mighty group has been trying to find a person who can fulfill this request as a Kitchen Coordinator who cooks for the money that Forest Lake has budgeted.  They have not yet been successful.  After much hard work, the recommendation is to invest in a caterer who will provide excellent food, and Education Ministry has agreed.  But for excellent food, the prices must go up. 

Kirk Night will begin this fall on Wednesday, September 11 and run for eight weeks (through October 30).  Food will be provided by Dupre Catering [Dupre Percival is the caterer who runs the café in EdVenture and is well known around Columbia].  The quality of the food will be much better, but prices will be $9 for adults and $5 for children. 

The schedule will remain the same:  Dinner from 5:30-6:15, Preschool Choir and Children’s Choir from 6-6:30, and Adult programming from 6:15-7:15 – or later for H3 Groups who will be meeting on Wednesdays at church. Chancel Choir at 7:30. Childcare is available from 5:30 until the end of the H3 groups.

What we need to know is, do you want Kirk Nights to continue at Forest Lake beyond Fall semester?  Is it important to you to have a place to eat as a community around tables filled with disciples of all ages?  Is it important to study together and to talk together about things that are important to us?  In another column I will tell you what I’d love to see happen after dinners on Kirk Night!  I can tell you what I dream about.  But, I want to know what YOU dream about!  What sort of Church community DO YOU want?  Kirk Night reservations will begin on Sunday, Sept 8.   Please let us know if Kirk Night is important.

See you in church!

Ellen

Ellen Fowler Skidmore

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