What is the plan for Community Groups at Northridge this fall?
Community Group Covid-19 Plan - Updated 3/16/20
3/16/20
As the Covid-19 situation continues to develop, we'd like to encourage all groups to meet online instead of in-person.
As Community Groups Coaches we'd love to help you figure out how to do this well.
Our coaches will be in touch with you, and if you'd like to practice using the technology with us we'll be available.
This is our last official week of the Winter Trimester, March 15-21. After that groups are on a 3-week break until our Spring Trimester begins April 12th.
While this is a planned break, we'd encourage you to stay connected with your group members. You might consider still meeting together online during this break, or staying connected through a group text throughout the week. At a time where we are facing more isolation, this is an opportunity for us to still experience community and encouragement from other Christ followers.
One group text platform many groups have found helpful is GroupMe.
If your group decides you still plan to meet in-person, we would encourage you to use discretion and follow the recommendations of the CDC, including:
Washing your hands often
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
Staying home if you're sick
Covering coughs and sneezes
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
This page covers which technology to use, best practices for an online meeting, what to communicate with your group, and a typical schedule.
Let me or your groups coach know if you have any further questions.
While this is a time of fear and anxiety for many, we have an opportunity to encourage and offer support to our group members, and remind them of the truths from Sunday's message, that our God not only controls the wind and the waves, but He is in control of any storm we face, and we can put our faith and trust in HIm.
Thanks for loving on and caring for the people in your group!
Jason
3/12/20
As Sunday services are moved online you may be asking the question, should I still meet with my Community Group?
Our last official week of the Winter Trimester is March 15-21. After that groups are on a 3-week break until our Spring Trimester begins April 12th.
While large gatherings across the state have been banned, we are still able to meet in smaller gatherings.
We would like to give each group the option to decide if they would prefer to meet in-person or online.
If your group would like to meet online, you can find the details below for how to host an online group, which technology to use, what to communicate to your group, and what the meeting will look like.
If your group decides to meet in-person, we would encourage you to use discretion and follow the recommendations of the CDC, including:
Washing your hands often
Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
Staying home if you're sick
Covering coughs and sneezes
Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces
While we planned to have groups celebrate communion together the last week of the trimester, your group is free to pass on communion or serving food to each other.
This is a page I put together for anyone wanting to host an online group. It covers which technology to use, best practices for an online meeting, what to communicate with your group, and a typical schedule.
Let me or your groups coach know if you have any further questions.
As the leaders of our church, we have the opportunity to bring hope, encouragement, and trust in God in this time of uncertainty.
Thanks for loving on and caring for the people in your group!
Groups Update: To-Know and To-Do This Week
Everything You Need To Do Before Group Next Week
The Top 2 Things Group Members Wish Were Different About Your Group
Every June we send out an end-of-the-year Community Group survey to all of our Community Group members and leaders. You have probably filled out one of these surveys. This survey provides valuable feedback so we can improve our group environments.
We take all of the results of the survey and summarize the comments to look for trends we should address.
I wanted to share with you the top 2 issues group attendees wished were different about their group.
#1 - More Social Gatherings
This was the number one thing group members wished was different about their group.
One of the most significant ways to increase our influence in another person's life is by developing a closer friendship with them.
We can't be best friends with everyone in group, but the more opportunities we take as a group to connect with each other, the more people will feel like they belong. When belonging grows people are more likely to participate and share what is really happening in their lives.
What is one thing your group can do to develop deeper connections outside of group?
- A guys or girls night or breakfast
- A Thanksgiving dinner
- A Christmas party
- Serving together (www.NorthridgeServes.com)
- Grabbing lunch after Sunday services
- Checking out a local venue like Radio Social
Put a date on your calendar now before the your holiday calendar fills up.
#2 - Starting and Ending On Time
This is the second most common issue that group members wish was different about their group.
When someone shows up to group and they are unsure when it is going to end, they may be less likely to attend the following week. They may have to get up early for work or school, the kids need to get to bed, they have homework they need to finish up, or maybe they just want to get home to watch their favorite show. Whatever the case, this is a frequent frustration group members feel.
What can you do to better ensure your group starts and ends on time?
- Agree on the starting and ending time and remind your group regularly throughout the trimester.
- Set a schedule for group: When should everyone show up, and when to start and end the icebreaker, group discussion, and prayer time.
- Ask a group member to be a time keeper with the agreed upon schedule.
- Break into smaller prayer groups so you don't need to get through as many prayer requests.
- Try using prayer cards to keep group prayer time focused.
What does your group need to work on?
What have you found helpful for your group to connect together or start and end on time?
We'd love to learn from you!
Jason DeGraaff
Community Groups Pastor
Life is Better Connected
