Small groups of people choosing to meet together in relaxed and informal settings are a really important feature of Gracious Street. We run a wide variety of fellowship groups, Bible studies and home groups both during the day and in the evening.
The groups provide a great opportunity to get to know each other better and build friendships. They also allow people to explore the Christian faith and expand opportunities for conversations about the things that matter.
The tradition of meeting in small groups stretches back many years. You may be aware that what we now know as Methodism started as a renewal movement within the Church of England. Early Methodist gatherings were called ‘societies’; they were formed to nurture people as they responded to the Gospel message.
The founder of the Methodist movement, John Wesley, encouraged different kinds of small groups to develop so that both leaders and members of the movement could receive support and deepen their faith.
These groups became central to the developing church, through them accountability was sustained, the Bible was studied, prayer life enriched and members offered support to one another so that faith could be put into practice in everyday life.
These supportive small groups are still found to be one of the most powerful ways for people today to feel that they belong to a Church; they provide an opportunity for learning and growth. Recently they have been described as: ''The relational glue which can hold a Church together - particularly of value when large numbers of people come together on a Sunday to worship.'
If you would like further details about joining a small group please contact Rev. Gordon Hay.