Connect Blog: May 2012
So, here we are, 4 months into the year and what a great start it’s been.
As a church we are seeing more opportunities to serve, both at home and overseas and to reach out further into our local community. Where does Connect fit into all this? It’s a place of fun, fellowship, relaxation and spiritual growth to encourage and energise you. As we serve in all the various departments in the Church, it’s vital we enjoy just ‘being’ together as a family.
We are pleased to welcome Matt and Nat Feltham to our Cluster Leaders Team, overseeing Cluster One. We know that they are going to be a great part of the team, and we really appreciate the hard work they all do. Other leader news includes Jon & Eli Feltham taking on a new group – a big welcome to you too!
One new change in 2012 has been ‘Connect Freestyle’ alternating with ‘Connect in homes’. This has provided greater flexibility, allowing a broader range of events and creative ideas to flow! Some tips to help with this; be creative; discuss options together; there’s no ban on doing a ‘normal’ meeting – and plan ahead. Whilst on the subject of planning, remember Woodlands camping weekend is coming up. It’s a brilliant way of relaxing and getting to know people better. You need to book by 27 May – here’s the link: http://www.onechurchgloucester.com/latest-news/woodlands-2012/
Paul & Mandy
Connect Blog: January 2012
We’ve learned over the years that God is always calling us forward, to live big and rise to the calling he has for each one of us. We have taken on the role of overseeing the Connect system from the beginning of 2012 for one simple reason – God said to!
We have big shoes to fill, picking up the reigns from Jo and Ady who have led Connect with courage, passion and excellence. As our church reaches out further, faster and higher beyond our four walls we’re passionate about caring for each person. You matter as an individual and as a church we value you for who you are, not just what you can do. We want you to find God’s purpose for you in a fun, safe, challenging and relevant environment where you feel you truly belong. Connect matters!
This year we are alternating between ‘Connect in homes‘ every 2 weeks with ‘Connect Freestyle‘ for the week in between. We want to give groups greater freedom and flexibility to express ‘doing life’ together. The ‘freestyle’ weeks will enable other ways of connecting- whether in smaller groups, or larger, for focused bible study, for meals out, for prayer, mentoring, for community activities, for outdoor pursuits, reaching out to friends and neighbours – the options are endless. All Connect leaders have been briefed and will be leading this shift of emphasis. Please let us know how it goes!
If you’re reading this and not sure how to get involved in Connect please ask at the information desk or let either one of us know (someone will point us out to you!)
Paul & Mandy
Connect Blog: October 2011
What a fantastic Summer! One Church connected outdoors, enjoying the fresh air and great weather. We camped at Woodlands, had picnics, played rounders at local parks and had barbeques in our gardens.
Fundraising by Connect groups totalled an amazing £3,500. We all celebrated with 4 of our leaders and their families as they personally delivered the required items to the local community and Church on Talim Island,
Philippines. What a privilege for Connect Gloucester to invest into the lives of such a wonderful community.
Connect kick-starts autumn welcoming new cluster leaders – Pete & Mary Montgomery, new group leaders –
Dave & Becky Waterman, new deputies – Hugh and Julie Dowling and several new members. The great news is that we have ‘sofa space’ awaiting more so I encourage you to give Connect a try.
Jo Izatt
Connect Blog: June 2011
Leaders: Farewell and Welcome
Connect says :
Farewell to Mel and Julie Groves who are re-locating to Grimsby this month. These fantastic Connect group leaders will be greatly missed but we gladly release them into all that God has planned for their future.
Welcome to Dan Yates who is going to lead a new group with Gary and Jill Dunkin and also to Andy and Heidi Vinton who will deputize to Paul and Mandy Cresswell. It’s great to have you on board with us.
Discussion Focus
Personal responsibility and growth has been the focus of our Connect discussions as we as a church have considered, prayed and responded to fantastic teaching through ‘The Undercover Atheist’ series, Vision for Mission and The Pioneer’s Route.
Champions
Our Mission Champions have been launched! For their first challenge, each group has been given £10.00 to be spent creatively – the aim is to make as much money as possible. All the funds raised will go towards financing the Philippines Project later this year. Well done everyone – there has been great creativity in the fundraising and we can’t wait to hear the final total raised.
Prayer Champions are next in line to be launched soon.
Connect Blog – January 2011
Christmas 2010 was celebrated in Connect by each group producing a set of luxury food hampers. We partnered with Gloucester City Homes who nominated the 18 families that had experienced a particularly tough year and delivered the hampers for us. We prayed that these families would experience the peace and prosperity of God and attached a card with a Christmas greeting from Connect at One Church.
2011 started with Reverse Sunday, a great opportunity to spend time connecting with each other and celebrating communion together, toasting the King of Kings. Then Synergy prayer week, it was fantastic to unite with Christians from other Gloucester churches to pray for our city.
In January a new Connect group is starting in Cluster 3 with Ernie & Rose as the leaders, we are so excited for them and their members. This year we’ll continue to create space for new people to join us.
We’re looking forward to all that God has planned for this year and would love for you to join us as we continue to journey life together through Connect.
