By the end of the month prior to the event, you should hear from the host, probably by email, offering some options for dates. Please check your calendar and respond promptly with “reply all” to that request. If you haven’t heard anything by the third day of the month, call or email the host who may have your email address wrong or may have simply forgotten and will appreciate the reminder.

The food assignments are just suggestions and are negotiable. If you really want to bring dessert, ask the host if that is ok. Maybe the person who got dessert really prefers to bring green beans! If you are a sub with no specific assignment, an appetizer or a bottle of wine may be a good choice to propose to the host.

Then just look forward to a relaxing evening with new and or old friends, all sharing in the preparation, serving, and consuming of good food.

“Bless us O Lord, and these thy gifts, which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord – Amen.”