SUMMER  SMALL  GROUP  LEADER  INFORMATION.

Our Next Small Group Leaders' Huddle
Tuesday, July 21st at 5:30pm @ 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 encouraged 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)

​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? Please Sign Up as a Small Group Leader or Significant Member and let us know about your group, so that we can support you and your group this summer.

​If you missed our Leadership Summit on May 21 where we explained our Summer Small Groups, we've included a link to the recording below. It begins with Pete Burds providing formation on the Holy Spirit and the grace we received through our Confirmation to be able to lead. At minute 22:50, Margaret explains the logistics of our Summer Small Groups. At minute 44:20 we begin Q&A. Sorry, we weren't able to include the following time of prayer and discernment.

​Logistics for YA Small Group Leaders from Leadership Summit on 5/21:
  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 (For more come to our Small Group Leaders' Basic Training on June 8. If you missed this training, 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 strongly encouraged - Communicate clearly up front, whether the entire group is committed to wearing face masks or is leaving it up to each individual’s discretion
  2. TIMELINE FOR LEADERS 
    1. By May 26th, Leaders/Significant members Complete Signup to let us know about your group
    2. May 31st - June 8th Small Group Members sign up at http://www.brewcitycatholic.com/summer-small-groups.html We will help you to invite others through our website, but your personal invitations will be most meaningful and encouraging to others.
    3. June 8th, 7-8:30pm Participate in Small Group Leaders Basic Training via Zoom for new leaders or those who desire a refresher to prepare for the new circumstances of this summer’s groups (strongly suggested for new leaders, optional for experienced leaders). If you missed this training, you can view the recording and related resources.
    4. Week of June 14, Start Groups in person or virtually
    5. August 15, last week of Summer 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. 
    6. After Aug 15, new launch of Fall Small Groups in light of the current realities in August (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)
      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 (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. NEED MORE INFO or want to share this info with someone else?
    1. See http://www.brewcitycatholic.com/summer-small-groups.html
    2. View Sign Up Form 
    3. Text “BCCLeader” to 84576. Remember, last year’s missionaries Anna & Bridget will no longer be available, please use Flocknote instead.
    4. Our monthly Leader Huddle dates are coming soon. (We’ll email them to all those who have completed the Sign Up Form above as soon as we have them set)
  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