House Groups

In Lent 2008, two lay-led house groups were formed as a response to the Way Ahead document meeting on Monday afternoon and Thursday evenings. The Monday house group meets in the Church Hall whilst the Thursday evening group meets in various people's house.

Since the home-groups in the parish where introduced, there has been two York courses undertaken. The first one was part of the Churches Together in Bognor exploring the Lord's Prayer and the recent one has been a study on Faith in th Fire.

The material so far has given us much to reflect on in our personal preparation and for the meeting itself. It seems to have been a very positive experience for us all to join in the wide-ranging discussions and share elements of our personal faith. It has been heart warming for the leaders to share the running of the groups with volunteers to prepare intercessions, read Bible passages and make the tea!

On Thursday 17th June 2008, Father Andrew addressed us at a joint meeting of the House groups to explore the future development of these groups. In his remarks, Father Andrew commended us to see the house groups as places of growth in the Christian faith, places of hospitality and a place where service in the Church and wider community could begin.

The future hope of each group is to make personal progress in our Christian journeys individually and together by the growth of knowledge and understanding of our faith and also to practise and demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ in our lives.

St Wilfrid’s two House Groups are settling into their autumn schedules.  The Thursday evening Group, under the leadership of Neil Macdonald, meets on 25 September, 7.30 pm at Neil’s house to plan future fortnightly sessions.  The Monday afternoon Group, led by Gillian Hutchison with Brenda Richards and Clive Bratt, meet in the Committee Room at Church, 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm.  The Monday Group are studying and discussing St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.  Meetings will be on 22 September, 6 and 20 October and 3 and 17 November. 

Both Groups will be very pleased to welcome new members at any time, particularly after Back to Church Sunday.

Enquiries to the House Group Leaders:

Gillian Hutchison 01243 827990 (Monday afternoon group)

Neil Macdonald 01243 820321 (Thursday evening group)

A podcast of Brenda Richards and Linda and Peter Beckley explaining all about St. Wilfrid's House Groups (referred to as Bible Study Groups)  at Back To Church Sunday on 28th September 2008