How many of you ladies hostess people from the church and/or staff at your home? I know you do Deanna and I read that section on the website and you said to be true to your style. I dont know what my style is. I hae never had a home nice enough to have anyone over until now. SO I dont know where to start. How much time and budget do you set apart. Does the church compensate you for food? How does your churches handle newcomers meals?
What I do in answer to your questions (I am only mentioning things here that are not already on the page on the site that you mentioned):
Yes, I hostess people all the time from the church/staff and others. Right now we even have a young lady who is 23 living with us for the next few months.
As far as how much time/budget to set apart...I am not sure what you mean...for entertaining? Or for the decor of your home? Just do it as you go along. No need to rush. Do what you have time, and money for, no more no less. This is what I do as far as "personal" (not church related) entertaining.
As far as church....yes, the church should compensate you for food and anything else you use to directly hostess people. When we have people over on church business or purposes, I keep that grocery bill separate and turn it in for reimbursement. We also have a church credit card (both dh and I) that we use when we take people to lunch or dinner on church business or for church purposes.
As far as the newcomer's meals, we have a newcomers luncheon at our church and everyone who is new comes as well as our pastoral staff and families, admin. staff & families, and the board & fam. The church pays for it. Sometimes it's more simple (pizza, salad & cookie table) other times more extravagant...the past 2 times we have had a pasta bar, cooked to order, at pasta stations. (people chose their sauce and ingredients) Those in charge get all the food and are reimbursed or it goes on the church card.
