The Real Story of Supper Club (2015–2026)

Like all things, there is a story—a journey, an inside scoop. This is the version I am going to recount here. Not the shiny highlight reel, but my raw, unedited first-person account.

Let's start at the beginning.

When I began my role as Project Coordinator for Children, Youth, and Family Ministry in 2015, I was curious, green, enthusiastic, and hopeful. I had already been part of a small diocesan cohort of leaders who met at the Synod Office for a breakfast club to network, pray, share, and connect. It quickly became obvious that scheduling meetings during working hours was a challenge, so we pivoted to an evening schedule and opened our doors to a wider demographic of leaders.

At the time, our rationale was simple: to provide respite, support, and fellowship for those ministering to children, youth, and families.

And it worked.

Leaders came for a simple meal, a bit of inspiration, and an opportunity to connect with others across the Diocese outside the context of meetings and worship services. Our objective was clear: a chance to eat supper, build relationships, and meet like-minded people from across the Diocese.

We recruited speakers to share wisdom and spark discussion. There was one rule: no sermons. Supper Club was always intended to be a space for connection, conversation, and respite. It was a safe space before that term became cliché or controversial.

Over time, the Supper Club community continued to evolve. We expanded beyond a leader-focused demographic and became increasingly seeker-oriented. Participants brought their children and grandchildren. Parishioners and clergy came to be part of the scene. We continued to experiment with format and location while regularly reflecting on our purpose.

The community grew.

The community shrank.

Worship leaders came and went.

I found that hard at times. Sometimes my feelings were hurt. Sometimes I took things personally. Sometimes I got tired. Mostly, though, I found it rewarding and meaningful to be part of it. It was an honour to host and curate these gatherings with intentionality and love.

By March 2020, at our final gathering before the pandemic, Supper Club was thriving. We were crammed around a table set for twenty-five, scraping the bottom of the soup pot to feed thirty while making sure everyone present felt seen and heard. We had entered a season of deconstruction, welcoming people who were looking for a place to ask questions, express themselves honestly, and seek healing through the lens of an evolving faith.

Then came COVID.

During the pandemic, we met weekly on Monday nights, with participants joining us from across Canada. Those gatherings became a lifeline. They allowed us to connect, pray, explore, and build a new iteration of our community during a frightening and uncertain time.

I became sick with COVID very early in the pandemic, which was deeply unsettling. I felt encouraged and comforted by the care and friendship of the Supper Club community.

This is where the story takes a different turn.

I will not mince words.

Rebuilding after the pandemic was hard.

Everything felt sluggish.

It felt as though the air was escaping from the balloon.

I know this was a widespread post-pandemic reality, but that did not make it any easier. The temptation to throw in the towel was there, yet we kept trying.

In the years that followed, we explored prayer walks, picnics, pilgrimages in a variety of locations, book clubs, Bible studies, a residential retreat, spaghetti suppers, and guided prayer experiences in collaboration with spiritual directors. We built a newsletter and established a dedicated Facebook group.

All of these efforts required energy, love, and careful consideration.

I poured myself into this community wholeheartedly.

Many close friendships were formed here, and that means a great deal to me.

When I reflect on our history, I feel both pleased and proud. We have built a strong foundation of members and touched the lives of many people in meaningful ways. I am grateful that we have nurtured and strengthened relationships with members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. We have woven a web of connection founded on creativity, honest, prayerful conversation and sustained by food, hospitality, and friendship.

I am deeply grateful for partnership with other local Christian organizations collaborating on a series of Story Day events in downtown Montreal.

I am also delighted that the strength of our community inspired a branch of Supper Club to form in the West Island.

That fills me with gratitude.

And yet, we find ourselves at a crossroads.

I do not know what comes next.

I am aware of a pattern often found in fresh expressions of ministry: they start strong, peak quickly, and then disappear. I do not want Supper Club to fall prey to that statistic.

Perhaps every community reaches a moment when it must ask difficult questions about its purpose, its future, and its capacity to continue. Perhaps this is that moment for us.

What I do know is this: Supper Club has never simply been about meals. It has been about belonging. It has been about creating space for people to be known, heard, nourished, and connected.

Whatever comes next, I remain deeply grateful for the people who have gathered around these tables, shared their stories, offered their friendship, and helped shape this community over the years.

The story is not over.

But the next chapter has yet to be written.

Blog: Supper Club: Who are we?

Supper Club as a Missional Community for You: We encourage you to consider starting your own Supper Club and we will show you how.

Supper Club started in 2016 as a pilot project where friends were invited to come together to worship, learn, grow, share, pray and develop their faith in community. We have made a number of tweaks along the way and are responsive to group dynamics and feedback. 

One of the interesting things about Supper Club is that it is as appropriate for existing Christians who have been immersed in their tradition for years as it is for those who may be on the periphery of a faith tradition, perhaps taking stock, asking questions about meaning and wondering about life’s purpose.

We gather monthly and use biblical themes to shape our conversations. Our sessions are engaging, inclusive, family friendly and participatory. If you have never opened a hymnal or prayer book then you don’t have to worry cause there are none and and if you have only ever held a hymn or prayer book you would still feel welcome because sometimes we may use components of liturgy that are familiar. 

The participation of our members shapes the learning, worship, and outcome of our evenings. In this way, the liturgy is self directed, putting the users at the core of the experience. 

We bless, teach, affirm and engage one another. There is no hierarchy. We use a flat leadership structure and are forming a community of faithful followers whose teachings are inspired by scripture. 

Would you like to implement Supper Club in your church? Parish Hall? Home or Community Space?

We have made all the details available to you… READ ON!

What is Supper Club?

Supper Club is an intentional gathering to encourage and support discipleship in community.  

Who is it for?

• leaders (clergy and lay)

• seekers (questions about faith + meaning, community building)

• families (intergenerational, all ages)

How do we do it? (download Template HERE)

• Hospitality

• Prayer

• Scripture

• Collaboration

History

We have been hosting Supper Club gatherings since 2016 in downtown Montreal and  have experimented with various approaches and styles. We started Supper Club with the intention of gathering leaders of children and youth ministry to network and support one another but our direction shifted as we became interested in expanding the community to include those who may have questions about their faith and wish to try something new as well as those who are already immersed but wish to be fed in body mind and spirit. As a result, our community is thriving, supportive and welcoming and is one of the exciting Fresh Expressions of church that are growing around the world 

Things to Consider

• Find a few friendly helpers: a worship leader and some hospitality support to get you started

• Choose a location: home, church, community space etc...

• Invite People! friends, neighbours, colleagues, classmates...

• Be creative! Think outside the box! Have Fun! The music, prayers, art and reflective practices you use for your gatherings can be as unique as you are! The biblical themes provide the structure and you can plug in the details.

• Use social media to spread the word! Share pics and get people excited to participate

• Being a family friendly community means being intentional about providing for their needs such as offering kid friendly activities and encouraging the energy and vitality of young people.

• Have snacks and drinks readily available throughout the evening

• Be prepared with an event outline clearly indicating when and how worship, activity, meal and prayer will happen

• Respect the schedule. Honour start and finish times. Everyone is busy and time is precious!

• After Supper Club be sure to follow up and thank your guests and encourage repeat participation. Get feedback. Invite them to share their gifts at a future gathering (leading worship, offering hospitality, sharing creative talents, giving a workshop etc...)