Getting together with lots of other Christians is great. At its best, we feel caught up in the praises of heaven, celebrating the wonder and transcendence of God. And yet, as Christians we also celebrate the God who chose to draw alongside us in the person of Jesus, to share our human life, in community, with all its joys and sorrows. This aspect of God is uniquely celebrated in our small groups as we attempt to work out together what living our lives in Jesus is all about.
One of the distinctive features of the ministry of Jesus was that he chose to live it in a small community, with the twelve disciples. The early church also met as small groups in peoples’ homes. As persecution took hold, these groups cannot have been large, and yet through them the church grew and spread all over the known world. It was after the Emperor Constantine embraced the Christian faith that large celebrations became popular, and have been a feature of our worship ever since. So we have both “big and small church” at the heart of our Christian tradition.
Our small groups at St. Peter’s generally follow materials that link in with, and complement, our Sunday worship. Groups tend to meet every other week during term time. There are groups meeting on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings over quite a wide geographical area.
The small groups give an opportunity to really engage with the issues; arguing (yes!), sharing experiences and frustrations, and praying together in companionship and mutual support. And if you’re new to the Christian life they are a great way to deepen your faith.
If you want to know more, and perhaps experience small group life for yourself, please let me know. You’ll be very welcome!
Rev. Jenny Penn.
email jenny@stpetersparish.info
tel. 01204-848229
|
