Administrative Resources
- NEW: Church Hub — stbarts.org/hub
- NEW: Church App — stbarts.org/app
Communication Tools
- NEW: Church Hub — stbarts.org/hub
- NEW: Church App — stbarts.org/app
- WhatsApp - Create a Group Text Message Thread
- Doodle - Scheduling Tool for Groups
- Pro-Tip: Send Google Calendar invitations to group members to help keep meetings on their radar!
Sample Meeting Structure
Leaders and groups are at liberty to determine the length, structure, and format of each meeting. Here is a suggested template. Feel free to improvise!
1 - GATHER (10 - 15 min.)
The group intentionally begins the meeting. The gathering moment may include a ritual such as lighting a candle or offering an opening prayer. During the first gathering(s), the group will spend some time offering introductions to one another and establishing group norms.
2 - CONNECT (20-30 min.)
Take time to get to know one another. The group may respond to an icebreaker question or share "highs, lows, and horizons" from the past week or month. You may wish to share a meal or refreshments during this time.
3 - REFLECT (20-30 min.)
The group may reflect on a piece of scripture, art, poetry, or music together. Or the group may reflect from their own lives and experiences. This is an opportunity to go deeper with one another
4 - PRAY AND GO (10-15 min.)
The group may wish to conclude their time with prayer or words of gratitude before closing the meeting. This is a great time to determine a next meeting date.
GATHER Resources
- Sample Group Norms
- Full Small Group Leader Facilitator Guide from the Episcopal Church
CONNECT Resources
- Icebreaker Deck on Amazon (There are many other similar products; simply search "icebreaker deck")
- Roses, Buds, and Thorns, also known as "highs, lows, and horizons" - a great icebreaker ritual
- River of Life activity - this is a format for creating a "spiritual autobiography." After the first session or two, consider having one or two group members share their River of Life each week.
Opening Prayers and poetry:
- And the Table Will be Wide, from The Painted Prayerbook by Jan Richardson
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Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer)
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Almighty God, you have given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplication to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will be in the midst of them: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer)
- O God of peace, who hast taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and confidence shall be our strength: By the might of thy Spirit lift us, we pray thee, to thy presence, where we may be still and know that thou art God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (The Book of Common Prayer)
REFLECT Resources
A Place at the Table 2023-2024 Reflection Guides from St. Bart's Clergy
Additional Content: Curricula, Books and Resources from the Episcopal Church
- Centered Discipleship Experience from The Episcopal Church (Video and Discussion Based)
- Weekly Bible Study Guide from our friends at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Richmond, VA
- Weekly Bible Study from the Episcopal Church (Scroll down to the Bible Study graphic)
- Six-Week Small Group Introductory Reflection Guides from our friends at All Saints' Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA, created by the Reverend Sarah Stewart
- Day By Day - Daily Meditations from Forward Movement
- Gospel Based Discipleship, sometimes called Lectio Divina ("Divine Reading") - this method of reflecting on scripture can be led and engaged by anybody. No previous knowledge or research is required. It is based on the principle that scripture speaks to us in a mystical way in our time and place. Any piece of scripture can be used with Gospel Based Discipleship. The Sunday Gospel Reading is a great resource.
Podcasts
- Way of Love Podcast with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
- On Being Podcast with Krista Tippet
- For People Podcast with Bishop Rob Wright, Bishop of Atlanta
- Everything Happens with Kate Bowler
Books
- The Big Church Read: A Place at the Table
- A Bigger Table: Building Messy, Authentic, and Hopeful Spiritual Community by John Pavlovitz
- Table Talk: Rethinking Communion and Community by Mark Graves
- For All Who Hunger: Searching for Communion in a Shattered World by Emily Scott
- Take this Bread: A Radical Conversion by Sara Miles
- The Prodigal God by Tim Keller
Group Leader Resources
This resource is Non-Denominational, developed by Andy Stanley of Northpoint Community Church. St. Bart's does not necessarily endorse this content; however it provides a wide range of free series on a variety of themes and topics that you may wish to explore.
PRAY Resources
- Daily Prayer for All Seasons - Lovely, short prayer services that include a reading and question for meditation.
- Venite.App - Group members can visit the website www.venite.app on their phones and follow along with evening prayer or compline.
- One word closing gratitude: Participants simply name out loud one word that expresses their gratitude for the time shared.
- Setting Intentions: Group members may name an intention for the days and weeks ahead in their lives, based on their reflection from the evening.