Leisure Club: A Wonderful Place for Community, Food and Fun

Parish communities celebrate some of the most important days of the year together. Christmas and Easter highlight the liturgical year, while weddings, Baptisms, and funerals are natural parts of our lives. However, the value of a simple meal together can’t be underestimated. The Leisure Club at St. John is a great example of building community in the simple and ordinary things of life.

The Leisure Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month for lunch in Conference Room 2. Parishioners from both St. John and St. James gather between 11:30 a.m. and noon for a potluck meal. After lunch, all are invited to stay for Bingo and to socialize. Renae Elmenhorst began coordinating the Leisure Club meetings in September and enjoys having a regular time to get together with fellow parishioners.

“It feels like a family reunion,” Renae says. “It’s a wonderful and relaxing time. We’ve never run out of food and

Christian women are the best cooks.”

Leisure Club meetings are casual, filled with good food and conversations, as well as Bingo games that cost a nickel per card. Sometimes the priests and deacons stop by for a bite to eat.

“When someone calls and wants to come, we tell them they don’t even need to bring food their first time,” Renae says. “We don’t come to make money — we come because it’s fun to get together.”

While Bingo is a hit, some parishioners prefer to chat over a cup of coffee. These lunches are open to all parishioners of any age. Some parishioners even stop in on their lunch break for a meal and a friendly conversation.

“I really look forward to it,” Renae says. “It’s a time for community and bonding and it connects us all no matter what our age.”

St. James also hosts a potluck lunch with a guest speaker each month and many parishioners from both parishes frequent both events, strengthening the ties between the parishes. Some people even come from Dewey for the community and camaraderie.

The Leisure Club did stop meeting temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, but meetings have been back in full swing for almost two years now. Renae hopes to see all those who use to frequent the potluck return. Historically, the Leisure Club takes a break for the summer months, but if enough members are interested, they’ll keep meeting through the summer. Parishioners can RSVP to Renae but are also welcome to come unannounced if the opportunity arises.

“Just show up and bring a dish,” Renae says. “We can always make more coffee.”

For any questions about the Leisure Club, contact Renae Elmenhorst at 918-331-9090 (home) or 918-440-9740 (cell).

Renae Elmenhorst