Christmas

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

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

10 Christmas Social and Serving Ideas

Does your group have anything planned for the holidays? If not, this may help.

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 - skiingsleddinghiking, 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

  • 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 Service Opportunity for your group?

Group Social Media Contest Reminder + Christmas-Gram From Your Coaches

Don't forget the 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.

Christmas Community Group Option 3.jpg

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.

Looking for ways to connect or serve together?

Check out our last Group Leader blog HERE for 10 Christmas Gathering ideas and 7 Serving Ideas.

Jason DeGraaff 3.PNG
 
 

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

Christmas Community Group Option 3.jpg

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 - skiingsleddinghiking, 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 weekthen 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 DeGraaffCommunity Groups PastorLife Is Better Connected

Jason DeGraaff

Community Groups Pastor

Life Is Better Connected