ConnectDinners Newsletter

Pastor’s Report – October 2026 
October 9, 2026 

Dear Church Board,

September has been another milestone month for ConnectDinners, culminating on September 28th when we reached a new record high of 107 neighbors seated on a single non-holiday Monday night. We are seeing steady, momentum-building growth as ConnectDinners connects with the Hillyard neighborhood. Beyond our Monday worship dinners, we are expanding our discipleship and community footprint through our Tuesday night Bible study series and the upcoming launch of our monthly "Community Connections" fellowship events. 

Ministry Highlights & Wins 

The atmosphere at our Monday night dinners continues to be defined by vulnerability, worship, and authentic connection. A highlight of the month occurred during "My Story Monday," when Ed shared a powerful testimony with our community. His story closely paralleled the parable of the lost sheep: Ed described how he spent many years running away whenever Jesus pursued him, until the day he finally stopped running and went "ALL IN." Stories like Ed's affirm the core mission of ConnectDinners—creating a safe, welcoming space where people can encounter the seeking love of Christ. 

Discipleship efforts are also expanding through our Tuesday night Bible study. On September 8th, Pastor Maureen launched The Story, a 31-week journey through the grand narrative of Scripture. Every Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 7:30pm, this study guides participants through 31 sessions from Genesis to Revelation. To ensure financial hardship never stands in the way of Christian growth, we are offering scholarships for the $15 book fee, for those in need. 

As we look to increase community engagement outside of our worship and dinner gatherings, we are launching "Community Connections"—free, fun monthly events held every third Friday. Kicking things off on October 16th with a movie night, including popcorn and sodas. Upcoming events include building Fall Fairy Houses in November and decorating Christmas cookies in December. 

Key Metrics 

We consistently prepare a baseline of 100 servings each week. In addition to seated guests, remaining meals are packaged as to-go plates for neighbors to take with them. On September 28th, our team stretched our meal capacity to serve both a record seated crowd and 37 to-go meals. 

Operations & Serve Team Adaptability 

While our typical attendance averages between 65 and 85 neighbors, the night of September 28th demonstrated the incredible flexibility and heart of our serve team. Though our service begins at 6:00pm, guests continued pouring through the doors past 7:00pm, including over 20 first-time visitors. Recognizing the unexpected crowd, our team went into action: buffet servers smoothly adjusted portion sizes, additional tables and chairs were set up with minimal disruption, and our musicians extended their playing time so every guest could enjoy a relaxed, unhurried meal and worship experience. 

Financial & Administrative Updates 

Our monthly tithes and offerings have remained steady and reliable, providing consistent support for our weekly operational needs. There are no new status updates to report regarding our pending grant applications (Walmart Spark Good). Regarding our kitchen renovation project, the architect is currently finalizing the detailed construction plans, specifications, and pricing, which we will review with leadership once completed. 

Crossing the 100-neighbor threshold on a standard Monday night is a tangible sign that God is expanding our reach in Northeast Spokane and the surrounding area. From deep testimonies around the tables to structured discipleship on Tuesday nights and new monthly fellowship events, ConnectDinners is maturing into a thriving spiritual home. As we move into October, my focus remains on discipling those God is bringing through our doors, stewarding our volunteer teams well, and preparing for our upcoming fall outreach events. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Pastor Victor Morrison