Valentine Dinner for Congregation a fundraiser for youth mission trip
Author: Clay Miller, clay(at)wesleyumc.net
Wesley United Methodist Church, Evans, GA
Date submitted: February 24, 2005
(The material on this page is used by permission of the named author. It remains the creative property of the author. Permission is granted for use by youthworkers in their non-profit local ministry setting. Other use or publication should only be by permission of the author.)
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Every year on the Friday or Saturday near Valentine Day, the youth sponsor a church wide Valentine Dinner and Dance. Our Fellowship Hall is transformed into an elegant and romantic restaurant. We set up tables of all sizes. We use card tables for couples who want a quiet, private dinner. Some folks want to sit with a group of friends. In fact, whole adult Sunday School classes sit together at one or two big tables. All tables have white tablecloths and are candle lit. The lights are dimmed way down. We decorate with valentine flowers, plants, balloons, etc.
The youth help with everything, but it also takes a good number of adults to oversee each area. The youth dress in white shirt and black pants and serve the people at their table. We even have a host at the door to seat people.
We charge $35 per couple. They get a gourmet meal (catered by our staff chef), and we offer free babysitting in the nursery (by reservation).
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We also offer photographs in front of a decorated arch, just like a high school prom. We have a professional photographer that donates his services & supplies. We charge $5 for a 5x7 portrait.
We also play romantic dance songs as well as upbeat "shag" type dance music (all clean lyrics, of course). We have a dance area in the middle of the room.
All profits benefit our youth mission trip in the summer. It is a huge success every year.