Foyer Groups 2026 - 2027
Gather Around the Table.
Grow in Community.
Foyer Groups are small, informal gatherings where parishioners share meals, conversation, and friendship throughout the year. They're a simple way to get to know people beyond Sunday mornings and build meaningful connections within our cathedral family. Everyone is encouraged to participate as we grow to know each other more!
Why Join?
Build Friendships
Meet parishioners you may not otherwise get to know.
Share a Meal
Gather in homes, restaurants, or parks for relaxed fellowship.
Strengthen Community
Help make our large cathedral feel smaller, warmer, and more connected.
Everyone is Welcome
Singles, couples, families, newcomers, and longtime members all belong.
How It Works
Sign up by September 13, 2026
Each fall, parishioners sign up and are placed into small groups made up of a variety of ages, backgrounds, and life stages.
Kick Off Potluck on September 27 at 4 p.m.
The season begins with a potluck for all Foyer Group participants where everyone meets in the Great Hall before groups begin gathering on their own.
Gather Monthly
From October through May, your group meets about once a month to share a meal and enjoy relaxed conversation.
Make It Your Own
Every group is different! Some meet in homes, others gather at restaurants or parks. Some hosts provide the entire meal why others share potluck meals or dine out. The only goal is Christian fellowship and getting to know one another.
New This Season
We're introducing a few new opportunities to make Foyer Groups even more welcoming and connected this year.
Family-Friendly Groups
A limited number of groups will welcome families with children, making it easier for parents to participate in Foyer Groups together.
Smaller Group Option
Participants with limited space for hosting may choose to be placed in a group of six instead of eight. This option helps make hosting more comfortable while keeping the spirit of Foyer Groups the same.
Meet Our New Dean
As we welcome our new Dean soon, each Foyer Group will have the opportunity to invite the Dean and their spouse to join one of their gatherings during the year. It will be a wonderful chance to get to know one another in a relaxed, informal setting.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do I have to host a gathering?
Every participant is encouraged to host at least one gathering during the year. Hosting does not have to mean preparing an elaborate dinner. Some groups enjoy potlucks, restaurant outings, happy hours, picnics, or other creative get-togethers. The goal is not to impress. It is simply to create a welcoming space for fellowship.
How much time does it require?
Foyer Groups typically gather once a month from October through May. Most gatherings last about 3 to 4 hours, but each group decides what works best for them.
Can I choose my own group?
Groups are intentionally assigned rather than self-selected. By bringing together parishioners from different ages, backgrounds, and life stages, Foyer Groups help create new friendships and strengthen our Cathedral community.
Can families with children participate?
Yes! While Foyer Groups have traditionally been exclusively for adults, we hope to offer a few family-friendly groups this season. More information about these groups will be shared at the Kickoff Potluck. Our goal is to make Foyer Groups a welcoming opportunity for as many members of our Cathedral family as possible.
Who can I contact with more questions?
Shirley Triano and Louis Lovestrand are co-chairing Foyer Groups this year. Reach out to Shirley Triano at striano2002@yahoo.com or text to 321-276-9142.
A Tradition Rooted in Hospitality
The word foyer comes from the French word for "hearth," evoking warmth, welcome, and gathering around the table. The modern Foyer Group movement began at Coventry Cathedral in England following World War II as part of a ministry of reconciliation and Christian community. Since then, Foyer Groups have become a beloved tradition in Anglican and Episcopal churches around the world, bringing people together through hospitality, shared meals, and friendship. Read more about the history of Foyer Groups below ▾
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The idea of Foyer Groups originated at the Cathedral of St. Michael in Coventry, England, in the aftermath of the devastating German Blitz during World War II. During an air raid in 1940, the city's 14th-century cathedral was destroyed by bombing.
Rather than dwell on the loss of his beloved cathedral, the Provost responded by founding a ministry of reconciliation called the Community of the Cross of Nails. While sifting through the cathedral's ruins, he gathered old medieval nails and had them twisted together to form a cross. This Cross of Nails, together with the words "Father, Forgive," became the symbol of an international ministry dedicated to reconciliation. Its members believed that understanding between people, nations, and ideologies begins when individuals meet one another personally. They truly lived out the saying, "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me."
In 1967, the staff of Coventry Cathedral began meeting in small, informal groups as a way "to bridge the divisions which subtly separate us one from another." They quickly discovered that these gatherings created deep bonds of friendship and community, and the meetings became known as Foyer Groups.
Just two years later, the movement spread throughout the cathedral congregation and then to parishes across Britain and America. Today, many Episcopal churches throughout the United States offer Foyer Groups to encourage fellowship, strengthen relationships, and provide opportunities to share ideas, experiences, and life's joys and challenges while breaking bread together in a Christian setting.
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Foyer Groups are a fun and easy way for parishioners to gather regularly in an informal setting simply to enjoy one another's company. Their purpose is to strengthen our parish community, meet new people, deepen existing friendships, and help make our Cathedral feel smaller, warmer, and more connected.
There is no set agenda, program, or curriculum. The focus is simply on Christian fellowship, shared meals, and relaxed conversation.
Each fall, new groups are formed from a cross-section of the parish, including singles, couples, young adults, families, retirees, and long-time members. Bringing together people who might not otherwise cross paths often leads to lasting friendships. Newcomers are especially encouraged to participate.
The year begins with a Kick-off Potluck at the Cathedral, after which each group meets monthly from October through May. Most gatherings take place in members' homes, with the host providing the meal, but every group is free to decide what works best for them. Some groups enjoy potlucks, picnics, or dinners at local restaurants. Others choose to discuss a book or article, while many simply gather for conversation and fellowship.
The possibilities are limited only by the group's collective imagination, but the heart of every gathering remains the same: Christian fellowship, a shared meal, and meaningful conversation.
Each group has a convener who helps coordinate schedules and communication. The prayer litany is a shared responsibility and offers an opportunity to give thanks for the meal, pray for those in need, and lift up the life and ministry of our Cathedral community.
We hope you will consider joining a Foyer Group this year and experience the warmth, friendship, and fellowship that have been at the heart of this ministry for generations.