Small Groups


‘Our mission is to be a community of believers in Jesus Christ who are devoted to loving God, loving others and making disciples.
This is lived out through Sunday worship and through the Small Groups to which all church members are encouraged to belong.’
(Taken from PCC report for Annual Parish Meeting 2008)

 

Why Small Groups?

St Mark’s is a church which wants to grow in unity, in depth and in numbers. Small groups have a fundamental role to play in supporting that growth in all aspects.

It is thought that once regular attendance at a church reaches 120 – 150, people are no longer able to get to know everybody, neither is the church leader able to meet all the pastoral needs of individuals.

In this setting, small groups are vital building blocks of the church – groups within which people can support each other, pray for one another, discuss and learn together. Meeting on a regular basis generally encourages and promotes discipleship in a practical way. It is the best way of getting to know people and making new friendships and enables pastoral issues to be identified and options to deal with them to be explored and supported.

‘The small group is almost as important as Sunday worship,’ believes Revd. Paul Manuel.

 

About groups at St Mark’s:

Each group is led by one or two leaders and the group structure includes coordinators to support, encourage and equip the group leaders and members.

Material for the groups is provided by those preaching on Sunday mornings, although individual styles and group interests vary.

Meetings happen in group member’s homes and last for 1½ – 2 hours depending on the group, and usually include the following elements:


  • Welcome: refreshments, chat and sometimes an opening question where everyone can contribute.
  • Worship: songs, reading or meditation to help us focus on God.
  • Word: emphasis on applying Biblical teaching to our lives. Usually linked to the previous Sunday’s sermon.
  • Witness: supporting and encouraging one another in reaching out to others.
  • Ministry: listening to the Holy Spirit and praying for one another.

 

Pastoral care for one another within the groups is an important function. This can include emotional and practical support. Many groups have pastoral and/or social links with those not in groups.

Many groups take part in activities at church and in the surrounding community, e.g. gardening; grounds days at a local school; support for the Alpha Course and mission links.

Social activities might include meals together, birthday celebrations, crazy golf, rambles, a weekend away and offer opportunities to bring a friend or someone interested in finding out more.

 

The Core Values of our groups are:

  • Jesus is at the centre (not any individual member).
  • Every member is in ministry (members play an active role in contributing their thoughts and gifts for the benefit of all) and Leadership is primarily about servanthood.
  • Every member is growing in discipleship (involving a degree of loving accountability).
  • Sacrificial love is a hallmark of our fellowship (not just lip service).
  • Vulnerability in community (we share with each other honestly for the purpose of prayer and mutual support).
  • Confidentiality is assured.
  • A dynamic of growth and an expectation of ‘multiplication’ (open and active in inviting others to join and, in time, contribute to the formation of new groups).

 

When do we meet?

Currently, there are 12 adult Small Groups, meeting weekly or fortnightly.

Day time:

Monday afternoon (fortnightly)
Tuesday morning

Evenings:

Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday (fortnightly)
Thursday evening – Post Alpha Group
Friday evening – Music Group Small Group.

 

Contact:


Sarah Lee 01926 421347 sarah@leefamily.spacomputers.com
Amanda di Giovanni 01926 316294 tom@tomdg.com
Ellie Clack 01926 732061 ellieclack@hotmail.co.uk

Or contact the church office.

If you haven’t already seen it, why not have a look at the Small Group notice board at the back of church?

 

Small group vision statement:

Each group to be a dynamic unit of 6 – 8 people (core 3-6) who are dedicated to meeting together, seeking to grow and actively apply faith in Christ in their daily lives and in reaching out to others.

Members are united in support for one another and others beyond the group in areas of practical need, prayer and ministry in the context of Biblical teaching and the working and gifts of the Holy Spirit.