I just want to share with you all about how great connect groups are, If you're not part of a connect group you are really missing out on something so special. I am part of an all ladiesgroup , There is nothing like a good old girlie chat over coffee, it's fantastic! I really look forward to spending quality time with great people and sharing Dave's teaching and the challenges that come from the talks each week.
It's just a great environment were we can build relationships and have fun along the way, We all have something of value to bring and that's why i absolutely love connect group. We are going out to Cinnamon indian restaraunt for our last connect group of this season and it's my favorite food too. It;s going to be awsome!!!
Don't know about you ladies but i can't wait for next season! :-)
What a solid start to the new Connect Group season. So many groups are really hitting the mark & having excellent connection times together and going from strength to strength. When we make a valid decision and choice to invest our lives into God & his people nothing is ever wasted. Yes admittedley there are times when people may let us down but thankfully God is always true, reliable, consistent & eternally faithful. let's keep investing, growing and advancing ourselves & others we are responsible as we advance the Cause of Jesus Christ together ONE in purpose and spirit.
I love being involved in connect groups because it helps me get to know people personally rather than trying to get around the crowds of people on a Sunday. I am reasonably new to this church and faith in God and i find it difficult to understand sometimes what's said on Sunday in the talk but in connect group i find other people explain it to me from their own understanding and i begin to understand a lot more clearly.
Well a new year and a new start for me, for 2010 I have moved connect groups and it has been a great experience. 2009 brought about some good conversations and allowed me to open up more to others about myself and my faith, not to mention the interesting trip to Bents garden centre I had with 4 great ladies (quite older than myself) for a tasty breakfast and great interaction.
I find myself in a very relaxed, comfortable and inspirational connect group environment, where everyone listens and contributes equally, with genuine interest in each others thoughts and experiences. I feel really at home and trustworthy, even though I only met some of the other group members for the first time 2 weeks ago. It is really good to hear the lives of others growing in God, how they come to where they are now and where they are going to next. It is also very interesting how ordinary subjects such as the dreadful snowy weather or your day at work fits so comfortably in to the evenings conversation.
For me, two weeks between each connect group is too long, because I want to get back to that environment where I have a chance to express my views and contribute to others with such joy and belonging. It really helps to connect better with others in Church life and everyday encounters... Connect Groups are that little connection injection that keeps you going strong and gives you something to look forward to.
I have been in Graham and Cathy Samples connect group for this last season and loved every minute of it! This has been my 3rd connect group because I personally wanted to move around each season, to meet and connect with new people and connnect groups are a perfect oppertunity to do that. All the people I have connected with have been amazing and impacted my life in such a positive way. It was great meeting people I havent connected to before, talking to them about life and getting to know them better. Ive been through a tough few months and my connect group have been praying for my family and me and just to know they are there to turn to is such a blessing.
In every connect group I've been in, Ive never been made to feel uneasy if I didnt quite understand something and have been nutured to become 'myself'. I can't recommend Connect groups enough to anyone and everyone in TCC, whether you've been around for one week or ten years, get connected, you won't regret it!
Our 'change' was the barbeque this past Thursday evening at our connect group on what was the hottest day so far in the UK this year. It was excellent because of the beautiful surroundings of Graham and Kath Hogg's garden, the easy comaraderie, the food (in particular the trifle for dessert!) and the visitors. What a great way to interact with people - especially people that have not been to Chuch before or have been having a bit of a hard time. Jesus used food to great effect when connecting with people and so should we.
From when we first heard that Connect Groups where starting up, we were really exited about them. For us Connect Groups are an enviroment where people come and bring with them, their understanding of God and who he is to them and what they have experienced with him so far. No one is better than anyone else or higher up the rank with God, everyone is equal. One of the things we encourage is to be gut level honest about where indivuals are at with God. Many years ago, there was a culture of wanting to prove how close to God they where or how much they know about Bible. Things have changed dramatically as we have grown as a church. It seems common practice now that we "keep it real" about where we are up to with God in terms of how we walk with him. Sometimes when the guys share about really sensetive issues or difficult challenges they are trying to deal with, we just get the sense that because of the gut level honesty, God hears that and is filled with compasion because of their authenticity, that you know he will do something.I believe that you only get out of Connect Group what you put in. Real connection is about coming and sharing each others lives, being real with one another and being a brother or sister, not in a cheezy, patronising way but more in a non judgmental, accepting and down to earth, living in reality on planet earth way.Sometime for us, Connect Group feels like we are modern day disciples from Acts. Everyone enthusiastic talking about Jesus and expecting him to do stuff in our lives. At the end of each session, we pray for each other about anything, not one person prays for everyone but for each other and most of these guys are new to the church. You hear the rawest, beginner type prayers but I tell you something, these are some of the best prayers ive ever heard. Listening to them you sense Gods exitement at such raw faith that it brings you to tears. Connect Groups are ace ok and thats enough. Slaters yeah?
I am really looking forward to the new season of connect groups. The last season of connect group was so valuable to my life, my connect group has helped me make new friends and to understand who God is to me.
I just want to share with
By Michelle KasbiaI just want to share with you all about how great connect groups are, If you're not part of a connect group you are really missing out on something so special. I am part of an all ladiesgroup , There is nothing like a good old girlie chat over coffee, it's fantastic! I really look forward to spending quality time with great people and sharing Dave's teaching and the challenges that come from the talks each week.
It's just a great environment were we can build relationships and have fun along the way, We all have something of value to bring and that's why i absolutely love connect group. We are going out to Cinnamon indian restaraunt for our last connect group of this season and it's my favorite food too. It;s going to be awsome!!!
Don't know about you ladies but i can't wait for next season! :-)
What a solid start to the
By tharringtonWhat a solid start to the new Connect Group season. So many groups are really hitting the mark & having excellent connection times together and going from strength to strength. When we make a valid decision and choice to invest our lives into God & his people nothing is ever wasted. Yes admittedley there are times when people may let us down but thankfully God is always true, reliable, consistent & eternally faithful. let's keep investing, growing and advancing ourselves & others we are responsible as we advance the Cause of Jesus Christ together ONE in purpose and spirit.
Tony H
 I love being involved in
By smudgeI love being involved in connect groups because it helps me get to know people personally rather than trying to get around the crowds of people on a Sunday. I am reasonably new to this church and faith in God and i find it difficult to understand sometimes what's said on Sunday in the talk but in connect group i find other people explain it to me from their own understanding and i begin to understand a lot more clearly.
Well a new year and a new
By JonesyWell a new year and a new start for me, for 2010 I have moved connect groups and it has been a great experience. 2009 brought about some good conversations and allowed me to open up more to others about myself and my faith, not to mention the interesting trip to Bents garden centre I had with 4 great ladies (quite older than myself) for a tasty breakfast and great interaction.
I find myself in a very relaxed, comfortable and inspirational connect group environment, where everyone listens and contributes equally, with genuine interest in each others thoughts and experiences. I feel really at home and trustworthy, even though I only met some of the other group members for the first time 2 weeks ago. It is really good to hear the lives of others growing in God, how they come to where they are now and where they are going to next. It is also very interesting how ordinary subjects such as the dreadful snowy weather or your day at work fits so comfortably in to the evenings conversation.
For me, two weeks between each connect group is too long, because I want to get back to that environment where I have a chance to express my views and contribute to others with such joy and belonging. It really helps to connect better with others in Church life and everyday encounters... Connect Groups are that little connection injection that keeps you going strong and gives you something to look forward to.
Scott Jones
 Connect Groups I have
By JBConnect Groups
I have been in Graham and Cathy Samples connect group for this last season and loved every minute of it! This has been my 3rd connect group because I personally wanted to move around each season, to meet and connect with new people and connnect groups are a perfect oppertunity to do that. All the people I have connected with have been amazing and impacted my life in such a positive way. It was great meeting people I havent connected to before, talking to them about life and getting to know them better. Ive been through a tough few months and my connect group have been praying for my family and me and just to know they are there to turn to is such a blessing.
In every connect group I've been in, Ive never been made to feel uneasy if I didnt quite understand something and have been nutured to become 'myself'. I can't recommend Connect groups enough to anyone and everyone in TCC, whether you've been around for one week or ten years, get connected, you won't regret it!
A change is as good as a
By I.M.O.M.A change is as good as a holiday
Hosts: Denise Harrington & Matthew Fisher
Our 'change' was the barbeque this past Thursday evening at our connect group on what was the hottest day so far in the UK this year. It was excellent because of the beautiful surroundings of Graham and Kath Hogg's garden, the easy comaraderie, the food (in particular the trifle for dessert!) and the visitors. What a great way to interact with people - especially people that have not been to Chuch before or have been having a bit of a hard time. Jesus used food to great effect when connecting with people and so should we.
I.M.O.M.
Steve Cheetham From when we
By Steve CheethamFrom when we first heard that Connect Groups where starting up, we were really exited about them. For us Connect Groups are an enviroment where people come and bring with them, their understanding of God and who he is to them and what they have experienced with him so far. No one is better than anyone else or higher up the rank with God, everyone is equal. One of the things we encourage is to be gut level honest about where indivuals are at with God. Many years ago, there was a culture of wanting to prove how close to God they where or how much they know about Bible. Things have changed dramatically as we have grown as a church. It seems common practice now that we "keep it real" about where we are up to with God in terms of how we walk with him. Sometimes when the guys share about really sensetive issues or difficult challenges they are trying to deal with, we just get the sense that because of the gut level honesty, God hears that and is filled with compasion because of their authenticity, that you know he will do something.I believe that you only get out of Connect Group what you put in. Real connection is about coming and sharing each others lives, being real with one another and being a brother or sister, not in a cheezy, patronising way but more in a non judgmental, accepting and down to earth, living in reality on planet earth way.Sometime for us, Connect Group feels like we are modern day disciples from Acts. Everyone enthusiastic talking about Jesus and expecting him to do stuff in our lives. At the end of each session, we pray for each other about anything, not one person prays for everyone but for each other and most of these guys are new to the church. You hear the rawest, beginner type prayers but I tell you something, these are some of the best prayers ive ever heard. Listening to them you sense Gods exitement at such raw faith that it brings you to tears. Connect Groups are ace ok and thats enough. Slaters yeah?
connect groups
By DJI am really looking forward to the new season of connect groups. The last season of connect group was so valuable to my life, my connect group has helped me make new friends and to understand who God is to me.
Thank you :-)