|
ANCHOR
Meeting times:- Wednesday 7.30pm The original Anchor Home Group began in 2002. We met in Autumn of 2001 on an Alpha Course - Alan and Carol led the others in one of the small discussion groups, and then we went on together into a Beta group. As that was nearing its end we just couldn't bear the thought we'd have to stop meeting… so we didn't, and Anchor Home Group was formed. We were a group aged between 30 and 70, and an equally wide range of ages in faith - from brand new babes to mature Christians! Together we continued to explore answers to the most challenging of questions relating to our faith and the Word and grew steadily in our knowledge. Relationships also developed, with each other and, more importantly, with our God and we quite quickly aligned to our name, becoming more 'anchored' in faith. Two years on, the waters began to agitate in our safe haven and a vision given some years earlier about this group coming together began to work itself on again as Anchor (then 10 of us) was asked to take on the next Alpha Course - some as leaders, some as helpers, some in prayer, some in service in the kitchen and waiting on tables… what a biblical format for disciples! It was as the end of this Alpha course approached, we all began to realise Anchor's inevitable future - division! Two Beta groups were formed and Anchor as we knew it would be no more! Following Beta, four went on as 'new' Anchor with an intake of members from Alpha, and the other six went on with their Beta group to form, what else could it be, Haven Home Group (founded on Psalm 107:29-30). Membership of Anchor doesn't exceed 12 (to provide for reasonable comfort in the various homes we use), and each week we have Bible or Christian lifestyle study, prayer, worship and fellowship, often taking turns to lead sections of the evening. We also have regular social events and reflective away days. In our relatively short time together as a group, compared with some, we've shared sadness of divorce and bereavement; we've shared joy of weddings, baptisms and confirmation; we've seen them leave (having sent them out to Tenerife and even as far as Australia); and we've welcomed others in. We've changed, regularly!! But some things don't change - we still enjoy all those foundational things which made us Anchor from day one… the Word, our love of God and getting to know Jesus more, and our sincere and supportive fellowship. We have some excellent tea and coffee makers, and some very serious biscuit devourers… but we make them pay for it! Our drinks and biscuits are provided to us by the varying hosts in exchange for us making contribution to our tin in which we collect to sponsor a child each year for a break away with Newman Holiday Trust, an entirely charitable based organisation, which provides week-long holidays for physically and mentally disabled children where one-on-one carers are needed
|