Monthly Gathering: Potluck Dinner (Panihápon)

A. What is a Potluck Dinner (Panihápon)?

Family gatherings are warm times of reconnecting over dinner, and there is always
preparation and clean-up, as well as games and activities, but potlucks stay as the star of the
night. Family potlucks may be the first memory of shared meals for some, while for others
church had introduced potluck to encourage community involvement. The potluck table is a
product of church members who busied themselves in the kitchen to prepare the food offered to
both the familiar and unfamiliar. More than the food being shared to the multitude, important
thoughts and counsel may also be given to those making decisions and life choices; personal
victories are also celebrated, while mistakes are gently teased.

B. Who are invited?

Everyone who are willing to join the gathering must be received accordingly. The purpose of
the potluck table is to offer something to the multitude, even though some could not bring his or
her own portion of food. The church must make sure to keep the welcome simple,
straightforward, and on a plate that everyone can reach.

C. Activities
The members of the church must choose what food to prepare or bring to the potluck table.
Food is classified in to 1. Breads; 2. Desserts; 3. Salads; 4. Side dishes; 5. Soups and starters;
and 6. Main dishes. Each person (or family representative) must prepare one entry enough for
3-5 persons. The expected number of entries must exceed 30 (as tallied from the members
attending the church service) to cater as much invites.
To make most of the activity, cooking (starting from the preparation of ingredients and tools
to the bringing of food to the table) must be recorded in a video and uploaded in YouTube for
viewing purposes. JAMC may generate income from the views generated by each videos
uploaded.

D. For future generations (Pamána)

Where can the church get the recipes to present to the potluck table? The church may scan
for recipes on magazines, and books, or watch videos online. For such recipes to be preserved
and used for future generations, one must meticulously copy all the details (i.e. ingredients,
procedures, personal notes of tricks and techniques) to a lined 3x5 inch index cards and be kept
on a customized recipe box. The cards will then become a reminder and record of relationships,
forever tied to flavors and food, even friendships formed over potluck dinner (panihápon)
gathering.