One successful event which lasted some 3 months was a trading table at the rear of the church each week. Especially during the growing season for vegetables.
The idea was for parishioners to bring something that was surplus to their needs, each week, and then to buy something they needed from the table.
Alternatively they may like to do a trade. A jar of jam for the eggs they had brought etc.
This works best when the money raised is for a specific project as people will often give more than what is asked as a donation.
PARABLE OF THE TALENTS
For the period of one month, parishioners are given a specific amount (Say $20) with the view of them using this to return many fold at the end of the month.
Some imaginative efforts can be created.
Eg: one person held a dinner for 6, charging guests to attend. She did this a number of times during the month and returned $300 from the $20 investment. Another did baking and sold it after church and to her friends. She returned $450 from her $20 investment.
Again, this works best when the project is for something specific.
SUPERMARKET PACKING
This may not work as well in the city, but in a country parish this was most successful in raising revenue for a specific outreach project (Providing meals at the parish hall for the lonely).
The idea was for the church to provide 4 competent people each weekend from 5 - 9pm Fridays and 10 - 1pm Saturdays. Their task was to pack groceries and collect trolleys.
They were paid the going rate, and to avoid tax and payroll tax etc, this money was paid direct to the church. They were permitted to wear special aprons with the name of the church on it and what the purpose of the project was for. Because the project was community accepted, there were no union problems.
The side benefits of this program in fact saw the church grow with men.
Because those on duty were always smiling and helpful, it developed a great bond with people. As a result this brought many enquiries about what the church was doing. This in turn brought a number of new people to worship.
The task was not enormous, as with the 40+ that offered to assist, it meant they were only on duty 6 weekends a year.
THE CARD SHOP
Have the children design some cards and with the skills of craft people, many designs for all times in the year could be made. Eg: Mothers day, sickness, birthdays etc.
DIAL A DINNER
Ask members of the congregation to contribute a casserole for two, four or six that can be frozen with cost of preparation attached.
The person in charge of the project (have various people do this for a month at a time) is rung up and can give the caller a choice of casserole. Simple add 50% to the cost of the casserole which still makes an inexpensive quick meal.
THEME DINNERS
A meal is always a great way for people to mix. To make the get togethers more interesting, have a theme night. Eg: Mexican, Chinese etc and have people come in traditional dress. You could also have a "P" night, when you serve food that starts with a "P" . If you are interested in further information about the dinners, ring Fr Max on 0409 441 246
AN OUTREACH IDEA FOR BAPTISMS
During the service the baptism is recorded on a digital camera. This is them printed off in colour (during the service by a person who has already been to Mass that day) and given to the family at the conclusion of the service.
Normally the photo only contains the family with Fr Max and is inserted into a special frame with the baptism details printed as well.
Melodrama