Koinonia (κοινωνία)

In the New Testament the Greek word for fellowship, koinonia, means a joint participation in a common thing and is used in connection with the Gospel, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the one faith, and communion. When churches are in strict agreement regarding such doctrine, we call this "altar and pulpit" fellowship, or simply "church fellowship". The LCMS has such fellowship with 30 church bodies around the world, listed here. When altar and pulpit fellowship exists the laity of one church may receive Holy Communion from the other church's pastors. Churches in altar and pulpit fellowship share all spiritual things including a joint responsibility in maintaining a common confession of faith.

We also use the word fellowship to describe lay activities: coffee and snacks after Sunday Worship for example, and our annual Progressive Dinner at Christmas-time. These social events are an important part of bonding in and between our members and friends through a shared faith in Christ. Some group activities also include a strong mission and/or ministry element.

Fellowship Groups
Most of our members participate in one or more of the following groups:
PrimeTimers (over 55's: home-cooked dinners, fund-raisers etc)
SLSNSC (over 21's: bowling, restaurants, house parties etc)
Son Men: Service, Outreach, Nurture (monthly breakfast)
Joanna Circle (mission activities: sewing turbans for cancer patients etc)
Mom's Group (meetings twice monthly at church)
Sonshine Tots Circle Time (weekly, for ages 1-3: music, crafts, parenting)
Women's Crafting Circle (1st & 3rd Tuesday each month)
Youth Ministry (fundraisers, gatherings)