As we move into our winter Community Group break, we would encourage your group to stay connected before our new group trimester begins on January 14th.
The holiday season can be a challenging time as many of us interact with broken families, as we are reminded of friends and family that are no longer with us, as we face unique temptations, and as we deal with the anxiety that comes along with this season.
Group may be on break, but our relationships shouldn't. In fact, we may need each other during the holidays more than ever.
As you celebrate the holidays, we'd love for your group to participate in our Community Group Christmas Contest by sharing your group experience with us and your friends.
Community Group Christmas Contest
Post a Christmas picture on Facebook or Instagram with your Community Group between December 10th-23rd using hashtag #ChristmasWithMyGroup and tagging @NorthridgeRoc.
We will have 3 prizes. Your group can win one of the following categories by being the group with the:
1. Most Creative Post
2. Most People Included in a Picture
3. Most Liked Post
So, start planning now for how your group can win.
What are some Christmas ideas for your group to connect together?
10 Group Christmas Ideas
Have a gingerbread house building contest with hot cocoa and Christmas music.
Watch a Christmas movie like "Elf," "It's A Wonderful Life," or "The Nativity."
Make and give away Christmas cookies.
Go caroling.
Get outdoors - skiing, sledding, hiking, or have a snowball fight.
Go ice skating downtown.
Bring your kids to see Santa at the mall and grab a meal together.
Attend a Christmas concert.
Sit together at the Christmas Eve service (see times HERE).
Serve together (See ideas below).
Connect with your co-leaders and set a date on your calendar this week; then you can start brainstorming with your group what your Christmas celebrations might look like.
Looking for a serving Idea?
7 Group Serving Opportunities
Open Door Mission
Fill out a volunteer inquiry form for Open Door Mission to find out more about their seasonal serving opportunities. https://opendoormission.com/getinvolved/
Basketball Tournament
Youth For Christ is hosting a Christmas basketball tournament and can use volunteers to help run the event and participate. www.northridgeserves.com/blog/trunk-or-treat-and-a-christmas-basketball-tournament
Christmas Basket Giveaway
Mission Share has Christmas related service opportunities such as their Christmas basket giveaways and their Christmas Hope Gifts Program. Northridger Patrick can help you find out more details and connect: www.northridgeserves.com/our-team/patrick
Pack Hygiene Kits
Pack hygiene bags for Supports on the Streets or hygiene/cleaning kits for Genesis House with a Christmas themed twist (such as including Christmas cards for those receiving the bags). Contact Allie for Supports on the Streets (http://www.northridgeserves.com/our-team/homelessness) and Leanne for Genesis House (http://www.northridgeserves.com/our-team/youth).
Christmas Carols and Cookies for neighbors
You can put together some cookies or other goodies as a group and pass them out to your neighbors and optionally sing Christmas carols too.
Kids Care For Northridge Youth Ministry
NYM provides childcare each week on Wednesday nights for our volunteer youth leaders. You and your group can take care of a group of children from infant to 6 years old. Contact Justin Laskowski for more info: jlaskowski@NorthridgeRochester.com
Serve at Northridge
Contact your Campus Pastor or the Ministry Leader in the area you already serve to find out what opportunities Northridge has for Christmas Eve or the holidays.
Enjoy the break. Get some rest. Have fun connecting. I look forward to seeing your Christmas posts! #ChristmasWithMyGroups
See you January 7th at 5PM for our Group Leader Mid-Year Kickoff and some Outlaw Baked Potatoes!
Jason DeGraaff
Community Groups Pastor
Life Is Better Connected
