What are home groups and why should I join one?
Home groups are the building blocks of St Saviour’s Church. We recognise that meeting as a whole church on Sunday is great, but it doesn’t really give us time and space to be able to foster deep relationships with a small group of Christian brothers and sisters. This is where small groups, otherwise known as home groups, make all the difference.
Home groups provide a place to belong and to be involved, a place where we can come together to study the Bible, pray together, and share the ups and downs of life together. We are able to encourage one another in the things God has called each of us to do, and to help one another to be obedient followers of Jesus.
Joining a home group will help you to grow in your faith, and to develop as a disciple. In home groups we learn more about God’s love for us, as well as how to love Jesus with our whole lives, and how to love and serve each other and our wider community.
We also like to meet socially, relax and have fun together, as well as the occasional adventure! This might mean fish and chips at a beach hut, meeting for coffee in a cafe, having a barbecue, or going sailing or walking together. Home groups are a great place for getting to know people better and forming strong friendships.
How do I join?
We have a network of home groups, meeting in various locations (mostly people’s homes) throughout the week. There are all sorts of groups – some mixed, some single sex; some meeting in the daytime and some in the evening; some weekly, some fortnightly.
To get involved in a home group, please contact Laura Simpkins. She will try to link you up with the best group for you.
Find a group
There are lots of different groups, and you may need to try one or two before you find the one that’s right for you. The main thing is that you should feel at home and be able to grow in your faith and in friendship with one another. But we all have busy lives, and some times and places may fit your routine better than others, so here’s a list of our current home groups.
Allen group
Takes place: weekly on Thursday evenings at 8.00pm (term-time only)
Venue: Generally in Littledown, online for the time being
Cheriton ladies’ group
Takes place: second and fourth Wednesday evening each month at 7.15pm
Venue: St Saviours Link
Gill group
Takes place: weekly on Monday evenings at 7.30pm
Venue: St Saviours Link
Warnford Rd group
Takes place: weekly on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm
Venue: Iford
Linked Ladies
Takes place: Wednesday mornings at 10am
Venue: The Link, St Saviour’s
MOPPS (Mothers of Primary and Pre-schoolers)
Takes place: fortnightly on Tuesday evenings at 8pm
Venue: Southbourne
Priestley group
Takes place: fortnightly on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm
Venue: Southbourne and simultaneously online
Vicarage group
Takes place: weekly on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm
Venue: St Saviour’s Vicarage
Wilkie/Woodings Group
Takes place: weekly on Tuesday evenings at 7.00pm
Venue: Southbourne
Shelton’s/Southbourne Group
Takes place: first and third Thursday evening each month at 10.30am
Venue: varies
