Thank you for your leadership in a small group! It is impossible to overstate the importance of your role in the life and mission of Bel Air Presbyterian Church. Through you the church reaches out very tangibly to the members of our congregation, and others in Los Angeles. Through you and your facilitation God will change lives and engage them in fruitful service. We also want to thank you for valuing your role enough to continue your own development as a leader. We must always grow and learn. We have been made stewards among the people of God. The Many Rooms Team will continue to offer you opportunities to deepen and expand your leadership proficiencies.
Here is some immediate information to help you prepare for Many Rooms Lent: This is My Body, L.A. | At God’s table.
What is being studied in the Many Rooms Lent Small Groups?
First Invitation: Believe my grace (Luke 7:36-50)
Second Invitation: Trust my power (Luke 9:10-17)
Third Invitation: Share my peace (Luke 10:1-12)
Fourth Invitation: Hear my teaching (Luke 10:38-42)
Fifth Invitation: Turn from emptiness (Luke 19:1-10)
Sixth Invitation: Receive my kingdom (Luke 22:14-30)
Feast One: We see! (Luke 24:13-35)
Feast Two: We embrace! (Acts 2:37-47)
Feast Three: We serve! (Acts 6:1-7)
Feast Four: We welcome! (Acts 11:1-18)
What is different this year?
This year, in the Easter Season (between March 23 & May), some of our groups will have the opportunity to meet with a group from another church, ethnicity, or denomination for a time of fellowship (possibly once in their home, once in your groups home), and one or two times to serve together (hopefully one of those times will be on May 3-4 for Big Sunday).
To take part in this, groups will utilize the This is My Body, L.A. web site to find a suitable group to pair with (see www.thisismybodyla.com/pairing.html). Make note of the dates with asterisks below for steps to participate.
What we need from Leaders to make this work
- Love God and serve your group.
- Invite people into your group.
- Update your Group Page (www.belairpres.org) or submit a Paper Group Page Update.
- Respond to all email and telephone calls immediately (within 24 hours max).
- If your group doesn’t work for someone, help them find another.
- Serve in the Welcome Center for Participant Sign ups (after all three services Jan. 20, 27, & Feb. 3).
- Commit to seven weeks with your group, and one to four interactions after Easter.
- Identify an apprentice who can lead the group after Lent or start a new group.
- Complete a Group Status Report by March 30 to let us know how your group is continuing, who is in it, how many more you can take, and who are prospective new group leaders.
- Return your group’s evaluations to the church after your Easter Season interactions.
- Respond promptly to your Coach and Connector.
How do people find groups?
- ‘Find Me.’ Leaders gather participants by personal invitation at church, among friends, and on the patio.
- ‘Let Me.’ For those who prefer to browse groups on their own leaders describe their group clearly and attractively in the web site group page and respond personally and quickly to all inquiries.
- ‘Help Me.’ For those who prefer assistance, staff or volunteers at the church will browse open groups and suggest a group to the inquirer.
How you can welcome people into your group
There are three kinds of groups (1. OPEN, 2. REQUEST TO JOIN, 3. CLOSED). We need to know which you want yours to be, and we hope you’ll consider OPEN.
1. OPEN: People may join my group or be assigned to it without my involvement. If you choose this, please also determine your maximum group size.
2. REQUEST TO JOIN: Someone may join my group after I have interacted with them and given them my permission.
3. CLOSED: My group is closed to new people joining it at this time.
Important Dates
| Jan. 20, 27, Feb. 3 |
Many Rooms Lent Sign-Ups in the Welcome Center |
| Jan. 20 |
Lent DVD and Study Guides available to pick up |
| Feb. 3 |
Make-up orientations after each service. |
| Feb. 6 |
Ash Wednesday: Services at 7:30a.m. in the chapel and 8p.m. in the sanctuary. |
| Feb. 7 |
Thursday groups begin meeting |
| Feb. 10 |
Groups begin meeting. First week of Lent. |
| *Feb. 24 |
Groups begin adding themselves to the pairing web site. |
| *March 1 |
Groups return to pairing web site to find a group. |
| March 23 |
Easter |
| April 6 |
Group Status Report due (through Coach, web site or jen@belairpres.org) |
| *May 3-4 |
Big Sunday |
Where do you go from here?
Before you leave:
- Sign up to help in the Welcome Center for participation sign-ups.
- New leaders, turn in a completed Leader Application.
- Update your group page on the web site at the back of the room (or complete a paper Group Page Update).
- Pick up study guides & DVD (available beginning Jan. 20).
After you go:
- New leader requests are confidentially reviewed by the pastors; once this has been done without issue, you will receive notice that you may begin organizing your group.
- Log in to the web site (www.belairpres.org) and finish editing your Group Page (call for help if needed). Just pick the time and place that seems best to you; use a personalized description of your group.
- Invite people to join and ‘Add’ them to the list in your Group Page (or email smallgroups@belairpres.org with the names, telephone numbers and email addresses, and we will add them for you).
- Watch your email daily for pending registration notices and inquiries from people seeking a group and respond immediately; it might help to ask for a phone number and call back.
- Come on time to serve on the patio for the Participant Sign up Days (after all three services Jan. 20, 27 & Feb. 3) and talk up your group (and others’).
- Pick up DVD and (if necessary) more Study Guides for your group in the Welcome Center starting Jan. 20.
For more information about Many Rooms,
Contact Jen Hurst (818-788-4200 ext. 150, jen@belairpres.org) or check www.thisismybodyla.com/belairpres.html
