Holiday Plans and Group Serving Opportunities

Planning Ahead For The Holidays

We have 1 more week until our Fall Community Group Trimester ends (November 23).

Start thinking now what it will look like to connect before groups begin again in the new year (January 12).

Will your group do a Friendsgiving Dinner, Christmas Party, Serving Project, Men's or Women's night? Something else?

Put a date on the calendar before the Fall Trimester ends, otherwise connecting during break will get lost in the holiday shuffle.

All-Play Group Discussion (February 16 - March 15)

Starting February 16th, we'll be doing a 4-week sermon series teaching our church Biblical principles on money management.

88% of American's have significant struggles with money.

Because this is such a huge issue in our culture, we would like all Community Groups to address this topic during the 4-week series.

We wanted to let you know now as you plan ahead for discussions in the Winter Trimester.

More details to come.

Serve Together This Christmas!

1. Christmas Toy Celebration for Caring Choices!

Come volunteer for a special Christmas celebration for Caring Choices clients!

They will have the opportunity to shop for toys for their children, while enjoying a fun-filled day with their families. While clients shop for free, their children can enjoy pizza, cookies, craft activities, and family photos.

We are looking for volunteers to help set-up, clean-up, shop with parents, run small games, serve food, and do childcare!

We are also seeking donations of wrapping paper and food items for the day of the event! 

Please review the available volunteer slots and needed donations and click the button to sign up. 

• Date: Saturday, December 7th

• Time:12:30-2:30 (Please refer to the sign-up sheet for available time slots and donation opportunities)

• Location: Northridge Church - Brighton Campus, 2090 South Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY 14618

2. MERRY & BRIGHT Baskets for Foster Families!

Build a basket of Christmas cheer to love on foster families in Monroe County! 

This Christmas season, Northridge is partnering with His Ministries to give biological and foster families in Monroe County CPS system “Merry and Bright Pajama Night” Baskets. They would like to offer each family a special snack basket full of holiday treats, snacks, and fun extras they can enjoy during a night out viewing Christmas lights. 

This is a great way to serve together as a family or group!

Email mgerringer@northridgerochester.com to sign up! 

BEYOND BOX FEEDBACK

This year our beyond boxes helped us to understand God's heart for people living in extreme poverty!

We serve a God of ABUNDANCE, who always provides for all of our needs. Savings groups help churches around the world to TAKE ACTION again crushing multidimensional poverty and bring hope to Christians around the world that God has not forgotten their prayers! 

Northridge Church supports savings groups in Malawi and Central America and this year alone 800 FAMILIES were able to join groups through your regular generosity to Northridge. 

We love hearing back from you about your experiences! Please reach out to your coach with questions or feedback!

How Can We Help You?

How is your group going? Are there any challenges or issues you or your group are struggling with? Reach out to your coach to setup a meeting. We'd love to help!

Additional Resources You May Find Helpful

• Rethink Childcare For Your Group - 7 Ideas (Article)

• Only Half of My Group Showed Up Last Night (Article)

• What Your Group Members Aren't Telling You (Article)

• 5 Ideas For Serving, Caring, and Connecting During Holidays (Article)

3 Things Every Group Should Do To Set Your Group Up For Future Success

As of tomorrow, we only have 2 more weeks until the winter break begins (November 18).

As you wind down your fall trimester, here are 3 things every group should do to set your group up for future success.

1. Next Trimester Plan

What is next for your group?

Do you need new leaders? Are you planning to multiply?

Multiplication/Leadership Plan:

As we talked about at Re:Group in September, if your group plans to multiply, it is vital to talk about it early and often. If you plan to multiply, you'll want to communicate those details to your group the last 2 weeks of group.

• Who is going to lead?

• What will the new groups look like?

• When is the first date of your new group?

Discussion Plan:

What are the spiritual needs of your group? What would be most healthy for your group to discuss together in January?

Our Upcoming Teaching Series:

In January - March our church will be doing a teaching series on saturating our hearts, our church, and our community with the Gospel. We'll be doing an open baptism service on February 11th, and we'll be doing a 6 week series on prayer after that.

If you have questions about multiplication or need ideas of what to discuss with your group, reach out to your coach and review the materials below.

2. Growth Goals Review

Did you set growth goals 7 weeks ago? How are those going?

As you wrap up the trimester, make sure to checkin on everyone's progress.

We can always use another boost, accountability, encouragement, and prayer as we seek to grow in our walk with Christ.

Make sure to discuss this with your group this week in prayer time.

3. Holiday Plans

We have a rather long break between our fall and winter trimester. Almost 2 months. The Winter Trimester begins January 14. That can be a long time to be disconnected from community.

What can your group do to stay connected?

Add a date to your calendar this week for a social:

• Friendsgiving/Thanksgiving Dinner

• Football and chili hangout on a Sunday afternoon

• A Christmas party (gingerbread house decorating, white elephant gift, etc.)

You may also consider setting up prayer partners for the break, that way everyone has at least one person checking in with them regularly until your next meeting.

How Can We Help You?

How is your group going? Are there any challenges or issues you or your group are struggling with? Reach out to your coach to setup a meeting. We'd love to help!

Additional Resources You May Find Helpful

When and How To Multiply Your Group

3 Ideas To Help Your Group Grow Relationally and Spiritually

7 Ways To Build Relationships During The Holiday Break

10 Christmas Social and Serving Ideas

Video Curriculum Streaming Options

Book Of The Bible Curriculum & Discussion Ideas

What is the plan for Northridge groups this summer?

Next week is the last week of our Spring Community Group trimester.

Normally we'd be heading into our summer break encouraging groups to occasionally gather for BBQ's, picnics, beach days, baseball games, movie nights, or sitting together at a Night of Worship service.

But this summer isn't normal.

While we usually encourage groups to take a break from weekly meetings over the summer, what about this summer? 

Here are our thoughts at this point:

1. Take A Break From Weekly Meetings

Many of our groups have been meeting every week since January 13th. Usually by this time of year, everyone is looking forward to a break. 

While COVID-19 has left us all feeling more isolated and craving community, virtual group meetings week-after-week can get old. For many, if not most groups, the summer break is much needed.

2. Keep Pursuing Community

We often say, the purpose of Community Groups isn't meetings, it's to provide Biblical Community. 

Weekly meetings are only one avenue to develop community.

Call each other, share pics on social media or via text messages, use an app like Marco Polo to share quick videos together, or do a shared Bible reading plan on YouVersion. These are just a few of countless ways to stay connected and experience community.

Just because you aren't meeting, it doesn't mean your relationships need to stop.

3. Try A Summer Semester

Every group has unique needs and different capacities. For some, taking a break from weekly meetings until the fall may be best. But for others, that is too long, especially with our Stay-At-Home guidelines.

If your group would be interested in meeting for a 3 or 4 week summer trimester, let us know. We'd love to resource you and potentially pass people along to your group who are looking for community.

Northridge will also be offering several new Summer Groups for people who have not been part of a group. This helps us make sure anyone new to Northridge doesn't have to wait too long to connect into Biblical community.

Interest in a Summer Trimester? Please email me and let me know.

4. Can We Meet In-Person???

With a lot of talk about re-opening in our nation and community, there are so many questions about what that will look like, including how this might impact Community Groups.

Can we still do BBQ's together? Can we go to a park together? Can we have some kind of in-person gathering?

Honestly, there is still a lot of uncertainty at this point. Our staff team is continually monitoring the recommendations of our state and local authorities and strategizing next steps for our church as we learn more.

At this point, we would encourage groups to follow the suggested federal, state, and regional guidelines. 

While this may allow for some groups to gather for some kind of in-person gatherings, we would encourage you to exercise caution and do what is most loving and caring for those in your group.

5. Follow What Is Certain

Though much of our future is uncertain, we can be certain of our calling as Christ followers. 

We were created know God and make Him known. We were created to make disciples!

That calling is still true. 

While this summer may look different, let's make the most of it by continuing to pursue Christ ourselves in addition to helping our group members feel loved, cared for, and grow to look like Jesus.

Do you have any questions? Is your group interested in a short summer trimester? Let us know. Just email me HERE.

How Should We Handle The Community Group Break & COVID-19?

Our Community Group Trimester just wrapped up. We have a 3-week break scheduled until April 12th.

While Community Group breaks offer a needed respite from the weekly grind of leading and meeting with your group, we are at the beginning of season where people are more isolated than ever, especially those who live alone.

So, how should we handle the Community Group break in light of the COVID-19 situation?

Here are a few ideas:

1. Consider continuing to meet with your group online.

   • Just because a break is scheduled doesn't mean your group has to stop meeting. Though a typical group break is needed and replenishes you and your group, this may be a season where continued meetings may actually strengthen your group.

   • If you are not sure how to get your group online together, our coaches would love to walk through the technology together with you to help you get setup to succeed. Let us know. You can also reference our online group guide.

   • There is also a phone-in option where you group can all talk on the phone together at the same time. This is especially helpful if your group doesn't have the technology to meet online or isn't as tech savvy. 

   • I know this is a crazy time for all of us as we readjust to a new normal, so for some groups, this may be more of a challenge, but if possible, continuing to meet online may be helpful.

2. Stay in touch.

   • Whether or not you are able to continue meeting online, one-on-one connections with your group through phone, text, or facetime may have the highest impact as you care for your group. 

   • GroupMe is a helpful texting tool many groups have used to stay connected. 

   • You can also share short video updates with each other on the Marco Polo app. Aaron Hixson shared how this has been a fun tool he has used to stay connected with his group and friends. Watch how it works HERE.

   • If you have group members living alone, they may especially appreciate and be helped by additional connections.

   • Make sure to ask if they have any needs that you and your group can help with. This can be a challenging time both physically and emotionally.

3. Begin a YouVersion Bible reading plan together.

   • Help your group refocus their mind on truths from the Bible instead of focusing on worries and fears. 

   • Here is a plan on How To Stop Worrying.

4. Share prayer requests on YouVersion.

   • You can now easily share prayer requests with group members and friends who use the YouVersion Bible app. 

5. Pair up group members.

   • It can be hard to keep up with all of your group members consistently, but if you can pair up group members into groups of 2 or 3, they can keep in touch with each other more consistently. 

6. Pool resources to meet a need.

   • Check out the Northridge COVID-19 Response page for a list of ideas to serve our church and local community.

Is your group continuing to meet online during the break?

Please click the button below to update us on your group plans.

We would love to help those who are looking for a group find community without having to wait until April 12th.

What other ideas do you have for connecting with your group? 

What questions do you have? Let us know, we'd love to be of help!

4 Reminders For The End of Group

Hooray, you did it!!! This is the last week of the Community Group season!

As a Group Leader right now you may be thinking, "The group season is over, bummer, we were just beginning to gain traction and connection with our group, I'm sad to see it end."

For others you may be thinking, "This couldn't have come soon enough! I'm exhausted, no one even texts me when they are not showing up to group, and the people in my group are driving me crazy."

Each group has it seasons. And this group season is at its end.

As we wrap up this group year, as Coaches we want to say thanks for your prayers, sacrifice, investment, diligence, love and care for the people God has brought into your group this year.

We also wanted to leave you with a couple last reminders to finish strong:

1. End with a meal. 

It's a great way to cap off the group year.

2. Get Feedback. 

Print and handout End of Trimester feedback forms or just hand out 3x5 cards so you can hear from your group members what adjustments you might consider making for next season.

3. Share your Summer Plans. 

Share which dates you plan to get together as a group this Summer. You don't have to decide what you'll do on those dates yet, just give them the dates.

4. Enjoy the break. 

You deserve it!

See you at the Redwings Game on May 31st!

Additional Resources

4 Ways to Make the Most of The Summer

10 Simple Ideas To Connect With Your Group This Summer

Why Summer Is Dangerous For You And Your Group

What's Next For Your Group?

Questions?

Contact your Group Coach or search this website. We'd love to be a resource to you!

Jason DeGraaff

Community Groups Pastor

Life is better connected!

Christmas Contest + Christmas Social and Serving Ideas

As we move into our winter Community Group break, we would encourage your group to stay connected before our new group trimester begins on January 14th. 

The holiday season can be a challenging time as many of us interact with broken families, as we are reminded of friends and family that are no longer with us, as we face unique temptations, and as we deal with the anxiety that comes along with this season.

Group may be on break, but our relationships shouldn't. In fact, we may need each other during the holidays more than ever. 

As you celebrate the holidays, we'd love for your group to participate in our Community Group Christmas Contest by sharing your group experience with us and your friends.

Community Group Christmas Contest

Post a Christmas picture on Facebook or Instagram with your Community Group between December 10th-23rd using hashtag #ChristmasWithMyGroup and tagging @NorthridgeRoc.

We will have 3 prizes. Your group can win one of the following categories by being the group with the: 

1. Most Creative Post

2. Most People Included in a Picture

3. Most Liked Post

So, start planning now for how your group can win.

What are some Christmas ideas for your group to connect together?

10 Group Christmas Ideas

• Have a gingerbread house building contest with hot cocoa and Christmas music.

• Watch a Christmas movie like "Elf," "It's A Wonderful Life," or "The Nativity."

• Make and give away Christmas cookies.

• Go caroling.

• Get outdoors - skiing, sledding, hiking, or have a snowball fight.

• Go ice skating downtown.

• Bring your kids to see Santa at the mall and grab a meal together.

• Attend a Christmas concert.

• Sit together at the Christmas Eve service (see times HERE).

• Serve together (See ideas below).

Connect with your co-leaders and set a date on your calendar this week; then you can start brainstorming with your group what your Christmas celebrations might look like.

Looking for a serving Idea?

7 Group Serving Opportunities

• Open Door Mission

  Fill out a volunteer inquiry form for Open Door Mission to find out more about their seasonal serving opportunities. https://opendoormission.com/getinvolved/

• Basketball Tournament

  Youth For Christ is hosting a Christmas basketball tournament and can use volunteers to help run the event and participate. www.northridgeserves.com/blog/trunk-or-treat-and-a-christmas-basketball-tournament

• Christmas Basket Giveaway

  Mission Share has Christmas related service opportunities such as their Christmas basket giveaways and their Christmas Hope Gifts Program. Northridger Patrick can help you find out more details and connect: www.northridgeserves.com/our-team/patrick

• Pack Hygiene Kits

  Pack hygiene bags for Supports on the Streets or hygiene/cleaning kits for Genesis House with a Christmas themed twist (such as including Christmas cards for those receiving the bags). Contact Allie for Supports on the Streets (http://www.northridgeserves.com/our-team/homelessness) and Leanne for Genesis House (http://www.northridgeserves.com/our-team/youth).

• Christmas Carols and Cookies for neighbors

  You can put together some cookies or other goodies as a group and pass them out to your neighbors and optionally sing Christmas carols too.

• Kids Care For Northridge Youth Ministry

  NYM provides childcare each week on Wednesday nights for our volunteer youth leaders. You and your group can take care of a group of children from infant to 6 years old. Contact Justin Laskowski for more info: jlaskowski@NorthridgeRochester.com 

• Serve at Northridge

  Contact your Campus Pastor or the Ministry Leader in the area you already serve to find out what opportunities Northridge has for Christmas Eve or the holidays.

Enjoy the break. Get some rest. Have fun connecting. I look forward to seeing your Christmas posts! #ChristmasWithMyGroups

See you January 7th at 5PM for our Group Leader Mid-Year Kickoff and some Outlaw Baked Potatoes!

Jason DeGraaff

Community Groups Pastor

Life Is Better Connected