A New Housegroup

Note: Plans for the new housegroup have been put on hold for the time being.

These are the minutes of a meeting held on Tuesday 9th November to discuss forming a new housegroup.

Attendees: Joyce and Colin Major, Gordon McMillan, Nina Hodden-Brown, Katy Salmon, Heather Taplin.

Apologies were received from Alison Binney, Bev and John Baker, Audrey and Ron Seaton, Brian Carter and Emily Taylor.

We opened our meeting with a Bible reading (John 20:11-18) and a prayer. Group discussion and ideas responded to "What do you want from a housegroup?" These are our thoughts:

Who for? | What for? | When? | Where? | Activity suggestions

Who for?

• People not able to go to other daytime groups.
• We may need to investigate why some don't or can't attend a housegroup - eg transport, need somebody to go with (buddy or friend)
• Anyone interested.
• A mix of different ages, interests etc.

What for?

• Fellowship and togetherness.
• Something different.
• Encouragement and building up of our Church Community.
• Social support, participation of all members.
• Looking to develop a smallish organic group, flexible and responsive to people and ideas.
• We want to develop opportunities for our congregation and others to interact and communicate during the week on a fairly regular basis.

When?

• Monthly meetings were felt to be too far apart.
• We are aiming for a possible 2 groups who meet fortnightly on different days, this could ultimately produce weekly meetings of different groups on different nights allowing choice and flexibility.

Where?

• Mobile venues, with people taking turns to host.
• A fixed base.
• A mixture of the two.

Activity suggestions

• Speakers may provide some study/ background reading / outlines prior to meeting?
• Mini topics with group members contributing 20 minute activites.
• Discussions.
• Social activities, both internal and outreach.
• Drama, videos and participative arts eg banner making / painting

We set a date for our next meeting of Wednesday 24th November at 1930 in the lower classroom and warmly invite you to join us then.