Gathering Together

by Carol L. Powers Sheridan

“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42)

CTR sponsors several Acts 2:42 groups – they are small groups, house gatherings.  Acts groups are a way to conform ourselves to the early Church and they are a way of making connections that draw us into deeper relationship both with the Lord and with each other.

Acts 2:42 groups meet at different homes, on different days, with different schedules but all with the primary purpose of gathering together in fellowship.  These are close-knit gatherings within the larger community of faith at CTR.  We gather together in homes across the North Shore to get to know one another in ways that are not possible when we mingle in the larger church Body.  We share our lives – our triumphs and our trials – in ways that bind us close and secure.

The Acts Group that meets in our house in Rowley usually gets together every other Friday evening.  My husband, Mike, is an exuberant cook and we enjoy opening our home for fellowship with others.  While we eat dinner together, we laugh, we share, and we love one another.  The special communion that occurs with a shared meal is a mystical participation in our joint life together.  Whether it’s the special farm-raised bacon or the Mexican dessert made from a recipe from years ago or the hot sauces that “make you feel alive,” it is a joyous time that enlivens and refreshes us.  From that place of sharing a meal, we become comfortable to share our spiritual journeys and the ways God is working in each of our lives.  Our discussions focus on the sermons we’ve heard or a book we are reading together.  And we always pray together, ending our fellowship with the timeless words of the Compline.  It is a valued time together.

“The church exists primarily for two closely correlated purposes: to worship God and to work for his kingdom in the world … The church also exists for a third purpose, which serves the other two: to encourage one another, to build one another up in faith, to pray with and for one another, to learn from one another and teach one another, and to set one another examples to follow, challenges to take up, and urgent tasks to perform. This is all part of what is known loosely as fellowship.”
― N.T. Wright, Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense

For me, this fellowship—the consistent presence of a Church small group in my life—is more than a “valued time.”  It is a life-saving time!  I have never been able to function in my spiritual life without a committed small group underpinning me.  Ever since college, being part of a small group has been a necessary part of my being able to function in the world.   In college, my small group helped me discern whether the friendship with my best friend would/should lead to marriage (it did!).  In law school, my small group provided the grounding and stability I needed to stay sane and focused.  In my work life over all these years, my small group encouraged and accompanied me through the challenges and joys of a profession in law.  In raising my three children, my small group anchored me in ways that enabled me to persevere when I thought I was completely depleted.  In entering widowhood and then a second marriage, I was companioned and counseled and upheld by my small group.  And now that I am entering my “older and greyer” years, the CTR Acts 2:42 group has been a source of encouragement and connection that has made life rich and good.

So, WHO should be in a small group?  Everyone!  It does not matter your age or your calling in life (student, laborer, professional,  homemaker,  retiree); it does not matter your relational status (single, married, divorced, widowed); it does not matter at all what those exterior categories might be.  What matters is we are called to gather together to deepen our relationships with our Lord and with each other.

WHAT kinds of small groups are there?  All kinds.  Some groups eat a meal together; some enjoy snacks or desserts; some focus on the weeks’ sermons and others read a book together; some groups follow a liturgical order and all the groups pray for each other.

WHEN do the small groups meet?  Some groups meet once a month, some meet weekly, and others meet every few weeks.  The timing of CTR’s Acts groups varies – they are available throughout the week and at different days of the week.

WHERE do the small groups meet?  The gatherings occur all over the North Shore.  Some groups rotate who hosts the group; others meet at one person’s house each time.  There are enough small groups to satisfy the scheduling needs of everyone!

HOW do I connect with a small group?  The Church awaits – you can call Jo Ann Buccigrosso at the Church offices 978-774-3163, ext. 102.  She will be happy to give you the information you need to join a group and begin your life together with others in a wonderful walk of faith!

Lastly, WHAT is that walk of faith all about?  The pattern of our lives is woven together with and within the lives of others.  We are not meant to walk alone.  When you are in a small group, the others notice when you are not there. Your wisdom and life experiences and prayers become an encouragement to others, and your presence brings a richness and function to the Body of Christ that would not exist without you!

We end with the deep resonating words of the Compline,

“Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping; that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep we may rest in peace.  The almighty and merciful Lord—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—bless us and keep us.  Amen.”