It's not quite the same as multiplication when I was at school, but it does mean that we will be meeting in 2 different groups from about 6 weeks time.
We will get in touch with people by Sunday to confirm who goes where.
I won't try and include rationale here for sake of brevity, but I would say 2 things ...
1. a lot of thought has gone into this,
2. nothing is absolute so we won't force you to go if you would deeply prefer to be elsewhere!
What is worth saying is that we felt genuinely chirpy about the future - both groups will actively 'outward' looking from the off and potentially new people to join them in the near future.
Jim & Kate's group will be very interesting as it co-incides with a house move into a new area!
Without being flippant we see both these groups as geographically and socially seeking to see the extension of God's kingdom and the church grow stronger.
In multiplying we will all be reminded again, that the church is not sustained by the service of few but the outworking of God's grace in us all as we love oneanother as a functioning body. It will be all hands-on-deck and we wouldn't want it any other way ... because God doesn't.
It was cool to hang out with Andy & Mary for the evening. Neither the Cascarinis or Fosters have seen much of them over the past few months, but the evening was relaxed and we all felt on the same wave length (I think!).
Finally, we must pray. We absolutely must pray and worship until together we meet with God and feel his sustaining power and faith giving grace. Whatever the future holds, it must hold a greater experience of knowing Jesus, and a greater expression of his love and holiness to oneanother and Winchester.
BTW I'm currently watching Up. It's really very good.
