Vision:
To make disciples by:
a. Helping to build up the fellowship of the church so that everyone feels that they belong and are valued.
b. Helping members to grow as Christians through Worship, Bible Study, Prayer and Sharing,
c. Sharing with others joys and burdens in prayer and in other ways.
d. Aiming to be outward-looking, being prepared to grow and divide to make more groups for others to belong to.
e. Encouraging social occasions, eg. BBQ, New Year Dinner, Games Evenings.
b. Helping members to grow as Christians through Worship, Bible Study, Prayer and Sharing,
c. Sharing with others joys and burdens in prayer and in other ways.
d. Aiming to be outward-looking, being prepared to grow and divide to make more groups for others to belong to.
e. Encouraging social occasions, eg. BBQ, New Year Dinner, Games Evenings.
Leaders: Ian and Christine Whitehill, Jackie Henderson
Meeting on the 2nd 4th and 5th Wednesdays of each month at 7.45 p.m.
Members:
Marion Cameron
Margaret Cowie
Jackie Foster
Jackie Henderson
Jean Jackson
Jean Thurman
Christine Whitehill
Ian Whitehill
Venue: this varies from meeting to meeting, as several members open their homes for us. It works well. We have been together since the beginning of February 2007, having been part of a much larger group, which had met for many years and which divided to make two groups. We find it much easier to share with each other in the smaller group and our biggest problem is not having enough time together!
As well as the normal housegroup meetings, we usually have a BBQ each summer and a party night before Christmas as well as a meal together in a popular restaurant early in the New Year. Most husbands are happy to join us and it is good to have the greater numbers for these occasions.
Over the years we have undertaken a few extra initiatives: letters to the local paper about disciplining children; pre-Easter and pre-Christmas services at the sheltered housing venue in Copley; a housegroup service in church and helping with the Alpha Course.
We sing (?!! - not very well, but God loves His crows as well as His nightingales!), we share news, views and experiences, study the Bible and pray. There is a strong sense of support between the members and we hope to encourage more into our group so that eventually everyone in church will have this deeper sense of belonging.
Over the years we have followed several 'courses' - as follows:
1. Genesis chapters 1-11: - Autumn 2000
2. Philippians: - Spring 2001
3. The Ten Commandments: - August 2002
4. Psalms: - Autumn 2004
5. Ecclesiastes: - Spring 2005
6. Fruit of the Spirit : Spring 2005- Spring 2006
7. 1 Corinthians :- Spring and Summer 2006
8. 'Glances' - Summer and Autumn 2007
2. Philippians: - Spring 2001
3. The Ten Commandments: - August 2002
4. Psalms: - Autumn 2004
5. Ecclesiastes: - Spring 2005
6. Fruit of the Spirit : Spring 2005- Spring 2006
7. 1 Corinthians :- Spring and Summer 2006
8. 'Glances' - Summer and Autumn 2007
' Glances'
These entail a quick visit to some pertinent topics. They were written in-house, but are available to other groups if required. They are good for Bible hopping! Each study is meant to last for one meeting, but there is enough material to extend that if required. They can be used by busy leaders without time for preparation and are intended to be 'group friendly'. More of these 'one-off' topics are to be written in the New Year.
1. Is the Church Going Mad? Tongues - a Biblical Perspective.
2. Clouds are Beautiful!: The Second Coming as taught in the Bible
3. God's Calendar : The Signs of Christ's Second Coming foretold in the Bible
4. Am I like my Dad? : Made in the Image of God : Body, Spirit and Soul
5. The Empty Mansions: Reasons and Motives for Mission
6. Street Angels : Missionary Challenge on our Doorstep
7. Down at the Local!: The Layman's Place in the Church
8. Ouch God! That Hurts! : The Reason and Purpose of Suffering
9. Your Money or Your Life!: The Grace of Giving Both.
10. They Knock on My Door : How to be Polite and Powerful [about Heresies and Cults.]
2. Clouds are Beautiful!: The Second Coming as taught in the Bible
3. God's Calendar : The Signs of Christ's Second Coming foretold in the Bible
4. Am I like my Dad? : Made in the Image of God : Body, Spirit and Soul
5. The Empty Mansions: Reasons and Motives for Mission
6. Street Angels : Missionary Challenge on our Doorstep
7. Down at the Local!: The Layman's Place in the Church
8. Ouch God! That Hurts! : The Reason and Purpose of Suffering
9. Your Money or Your Life!: The Grace of Giving Both.
10. They Knock on My Door : How to be Polite and Powerful [about Heresies and Cults.]
A rota operates, so that those who are willing and able can join in the leading and running of the meetings. We have a 'supper tin' into which we put small amounts to show our appreciation of hospitality received at each meeting. This money is used for the support of projects in Peru.
We often think of our group as an Emmaus Group - we get the name from thinking of the two who walked together on the road to Emmaus after Jesus had risen from the dead: they were talking together, accompanied by Jesus; their eyes were opened and they recognised Him. They reflected on how their hearts had been burning and returned to Jerusalem with a strong sense of mission - telling all what had happened on the way. [Luke 24:13-35]