The Communion of Believers: Connect and Fold in
No-one Left Behind 1 Thess 5:11 (Msg paraphrase of Scripture)
We’ve written to most members of our church family in the past few days. A letter or email has gone to anyone who does not currently enjoy the spiritual fruits and social benefits of being part of a midweek small group in our church community.
If you didn’t get your email or letter, part of which is copied below, please let the church office know because it means we’ve missed you off and we’re really sorry for this. We want everyone to be connected and fold in to our extended Christian community at this important time. It is a symbol of our shared spiritual communion with Christ until the time when we can celebrate Communion as the gathered body of believers, together again.
A communion of believers expressed in different ways
We know that we are part of a great church family. We see this week by week as we live, laugh, cry, worship and do so m any things together.
Some of you are connected by getting the church notices; others by having the time to worship at key times in the church year like Remembrance, Easter, Christmas and Harvest. Perhaps you are part of the toddler group or Nexus, the Hambledon Coffee Morning or Ladies’ Breakfast. Many of you are connected into being the church family in so many ways and you worship at one of the congregations.
Connecting afresh in unity with one another and in Christ through the Holy Spirit
At this unique moment we are inviting you to connect in another way. It is for everyone’s good and about showing Christian care. It is a connection which over 200 of the church family are already part of. It is a midweek small group. It is called this because it is a smallish group of people who get to know one another, support each other, read the Bible and live life together. It is sometimes called a home group because it meets in a home.
It is vital that we are connected together as a church in new ways at this time. This is so that we can ensure our network of love, care and concern is strengthened for the good of all. You may be fine, in a house with many others but there are people in our church family who long for a fortnightly phone call right now. Your joining in could be about what you can give in Christ as much as that which you can receive.
Christian leadership
There are nearly 30 small home groups. They are led by great people who have been checked and selected by the church. These are people the church cares for, trusts and supports in their own faith and lives. We ensure that the home group leaders are well known in the church family and we meet together to pray and learn together. Our home group leaders are leaders in our Christian family of BHC.
Part of the Mystery of Christ’s Church past, present and future
Thank you for being part of a most wonderful, amazing and beautiful church family of Christ at this time. Thank you for your prayers and support as we all support one another.
Everyone needs a bit of care… Contact, Connect, Fold in
Everyone needs a little bit of care. Everyone needs ways to grow in understanding Scripture, faith and belief. Everyone wants to be part of a great family. We’re inviting everyone to be part of the home group network for the next few months. You can choose not to – just let the church office or the home group leader know. Or you can choose one of the following:
