FALL  SMALL  GROUP  LEADER  INFORMATION.

Our Next Small Group Leaders' Huddle
Tuesday, November 10th at 6:00pm @ Good City Brewing Co 
2108 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
Your first drink is on us. You can purchase additional beverages or food if desired.
Because we are a small enough group, we are able to gather in person with social distancing protocols (6 foot distance between households and masks worn when not eating or drinking)
What to expect at a Small Group Leaders' Huddle?
  • Opportunity to connect with other leaders from around the Archdiocese engaged in the same mission
  • Formation particularly targeted for you as a leader to help you grow deeper in your faith
  • Our appreciation for all you're doing to serve our community in this time (including a cold beverage on us)
Save the dates for our next Small Group Leaders' Huddles: September 1, October 6, November 10, & December 1.

Please Let Us Know About Your Group​
Thank you for your generous service to our young adult community! Thinking about (or already) leading a Small Group that we can help others find? If you are a Small Group Leader or Significant Member let us know about your group, so that we can support you and your group through this season.

​Logistics for YA Small Group Leaders:
  1. WHAT DO SMALL GROUP LEADERS DO (or Co-leader/significant member teams):
    1. Serve in one of our Small Group Leadership Roles. Let us know that you are willing to serve as a leader or significant member by signing up at the link above 
      1. Group Leader or Co-Leaders form and lead your small group (for specifics read #2-4 below)
      2. Significant Members - assist with communication, community building, hosting, and/or cleaning/sanitizing tasks as agreed upon with the Group Leader.
    2. Care for your group members - Build a Trusting Environment, Community, & Human Connections (If you missed our June 8 Small Group Leaders' Basic Training which contained more details on the below, you can view the recording and related resources.)
      1. Radical Hospitality
      2. Meet people where they are, and accompany them to a destination
      3. Facilitate meaningful discussion in a atmosphere of love & trust
      4. Help your group to pray together
      5. Consider gathering for other community building opportunities than just your regular small group, such as social outings (hike, bonfire, meet-up with another small group outdoors, etc.), service opportunities (food pantry, Mass, yard cleanup, etc.)  
    3. Communicate Clearly
      1. Stay in communication with Brew City Catholic. 
        1. Please watch for regular email/flocknote communications from us, including:
          1. Contact info for people who are interested in joining your group
          2. Weekly 2 Minute Check-In’s - In response to our prompt please take literally 2 minutes or less to let us know how your group is doing each week
          3. Monthly huddles just for leaders/significant members via Zoom for deepening formation, fellowship, prayer, and updates
        2. Please let us know:
          1. If your group fills up and can no longer accept new members
          2. If a group member has decided not to participate (or a space suddenly opens up in your group for another reason)
          3. If you are having difficulties or need help. Letting us know early helps us to help you.
      2. Communicate with your group members and potential group members.
        1. Reach out to welcome those interested in joining your group and give them the details. Ask them to let you know if they change their minds about participating so that you can give their space to someone else.
        2. Send reminders before your group meetings. 
    4. Maintain safety in your group.  Everybody’s handling our new normal differently and we want to respect that. In our Archdiocese:
      1. You can always meet virtually
      2. Meeting outdoors is an option
      3. For the time being (we will update this as it changes), in-person small groups are allowed, so long as:
        1. Everyone agrees not to come if they are feeling sick or have a fever
        2. Our groups have only 10 people or less
        3. Social distancing is observed (think arranging seating, BYOBeverage/Bible/Book, etc.)
        4. Cleaning protocols are followed - disinfect frequently touched objects and indoor spaces occupied by group members
        5. Face masks are worn in accordance with the requirements of public ordinances - Communicate clearly up front, your groups' commitments regarding face masks
  2. TIMELINE FOR LEADERS - Fall Launch
    1. By September 1, Leaders/Significant members Complete Signup to let us know about your group
    2. September 1, Small Group Leaders' Huddle @ 6pm at Good City Brewing
    3. September 8th - September 19 Invite Potential Small Group Members to sign up online at: COMING SOON We will help you to invite others through our website, but your personal invitations will be most meaningful and encouraging to others.
    4. Week of September 20th, Plan to meet as a small group in person or virtually - if continuing as a group from a previous season make sure this session is a restart for new members. Consider starting a new resource this week.
    5. November 8, last week of Fall Season's Small Groups - We encourage you to bring your small group to an end and encourage members to either become small group leaders or assist with future groups. If your group decides to continue meeting and you have room for new members, please let us know.
    6. February 15, next major launch of Lenten Small Groups (and new discernment for you).
  3. SMALL GROUP RESOURCES - we have suggestions, you have freedom to discern. We would be happy to talk with you about what might be best for your group. Think in terms of who your group is for: the Curious (been away from the faith, just returning to the faith, or having little to no background in our faith) or for those looking to Grow Deeper in their Catholic faith. Any of them can work either in-person or virtually.
    1. Alpha in a Catholic Context - For everyone, designed for the Curious. 
    2. For the Curious
      1. Bible Study
        1. Discovery or Source CCO (make sure to order from USA distributor) 
        2. Believe EC (Free books available through BCC) (6 wks)
        3. Salvation History FOCUS (8wks)
        4. Upcoming Sunday Gospels. Two free resources: Emmaus Journey & Sunday Scripture Study (we’re in Year A until Advent when we switch to Year B)
      2. Book Club
        1. Fill These Hearts Christopher West (Theology of the Body)
        2. Resisting Happiness by Matthew Kelly
    3. Grow Deeper (any of the above can work, but also)
      1. Bible Study    
        1. CCO Growth, Trust, Commission (make sure to order from USA distributor)
      2. Book Club
        1. Time for God Jacques Phillipe
    4. ​​Looking for a more extensive list of suggestions, including those also available in Spanish? See Small Group Resources
  4. PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH AND HELP OTHERS GET CONNECTED
    1. For Leaders: Text “BCCLeader” to 84576. Remember, last year’s missionaries Anna & Bridget will no longer be available, please use Flocknote instead.
    2. To invite people to join a group (especially if they can't get into yours), please send them to: COMING SOON
    3. Let us know about any changes in your group by emailing Merridith at fredianim@archmil.org (ex: if your group is full, if a new leader is taking over, if your contact info has changed, if you're going to continue meeting after the end of this session, you're moving out of state, if you know you're not going to continue leading groups, etc.)
    4. Our monthly Leader Huddle dates will be: September 1, October 6, November 10, & December 1
  5. ​THANK YOU! We love you. We're praying for you and your groups.
​Brew City Catholic
Archdiocese of Milwaukee
3501 S. Lake Dr. 
St. Francis, WI 53235