We are grateful that you are willing to host a table, share your lives with others - as well as your food!
With Tables relaunching this month, we met to discuss the plan for the next season. We recognise that not everyone was able to be in the room, so we wanted to keep you informed of the plans for this term.
Building an inclusive community
We want to get back to basics and focus on building community well. Tables are essential for gathering newcomers into community and building relationship with our existing church family.
Recently we have heard encouraging stories of how welcoming Redeemer has been to newcomers. I want to encourage all of us to continue to be a community which naturally welcomes and one that endeavours to be inclusive.
Sunday Lunches provide an opportunity for people who are seeking community to stick around. You are welcome to join us after the gathering to connect with new and some not-so-new people.
Signing up to a Table
Naturally, as a leader of a table, you will have people coming to you and asking to join your table. That's no problem, but we need you to direct them to the four ways listed below that they can sign up so that we can be GDPR compliant and help us care for our community better.
Please note that existing members of your group will have to sign up again to your group so please make them aware of this.
Sign up sheets in Church
This Sunday is Big table Sunday, and we will be modelling what a table looks like as well as reopening sign-ups to your group. There will be a paper sign-up sheet at the back and this is a great opportunity for you to chat with new table members. Allowing you to tell them about when and where your group meets and makes it easier for a newcomer to connect into your group.
Online
Most of you will be familiar with our online sign-up. People can log on to the website: redeemercentral.com/tables and select the group that they want to join.
Connect Cards
If in doubt use the connect card. The person can tick that they are interested in joining a table box and place it in the mailbox at the back of the Church, and I will contact them and pass their details on to you.
Church Center App
There is an app that you can download from the app store/the play store called Church Centre App. We are hoping that this will allow us to keep the whole church community informed of events as well as allowing people to sign up to tables.
To download the app click on the respective App Store,
Once installed search for ‘Redeemer Central‘
Then enter your planning centre login-in details to log into the app
I have added a few screenshots of the app and I am happy to help you load your events on to the app.
What happens at a Table Gathering?
Table Liturgy
We use a liturgy as a framework for our gathering, which includes 4 movements and allows many voices to participate: Communion, Highs & Lows, Conversation, Response.
Collective Study
Last year we collectively read through The Good and Beautiful God and Dirty Glory. This year we want to engage with the talk from the previous Sunday in our midweek gatherings. Each week we will distribute the podcast and some questions that will aid your groups in discussion.
Throughout Season #1, we will be focusing on 'Ruth: Borders & Belongings', which given the current political climate should make for an exciting discussion.
Rhythm & Key Dates
Tables take place twice-a-month and run for two seasons-per-year (Oct-Jan, Mar-June). We value the importance of simple, sustainable rhythms that give us life, not busy calendars.
Some groups find it beneficial to meet every week, and others vary the day and time that they gather. We encourage you to find the rhythm that best serves your group.
I wanted to make you aware of some key dates; please mark them in your calendars. Further details will be sent out closer to the time.
Week of Prayer & Fasting: 27th Jan- 2 Feb 2020
Nua Festival: 29-31 May 2020
Tobar Gathering: Sept 2020
101 Prayer & Worship Nights & Sunday Pre-Gathering Prayer
101 Prayer and Worship nights are on the first Wednesday night of the month. Prayer is the boiler house of the church, and we need you to lead and encourage your table members to prioritise these nights as we collectively seek the presence of God. We would also love to see you at our Sunday pre-gathering prayer sessions which begin at 10am.
You are already contributing to the life and health of our community as you lead your table and we want to encourage you to bring contributions on a Sunday. If would like to share a passage of scripture or a prophetic word then, please speak to the person who is leading the call to worship. They will discern if, and when it would be best to share your contribution.
Pastoral Care & Life Events
Tables should be places where we share the highs and lows of life, supporting each other and showing practical displays of love. We understand that there may be some more significant issues that you may become aware of as Table leaders and feel ill-equipped to deal with. If this is the case, then please contact me at matt@redeemercentral.com, by phone or talk to a member of the Pastoral Care Team.
We consider it an honour to serve and help our church body as they experience key moments in life from baby dedications to bereavements and everything in between. As a table leader you may be aware of moments before we do, please help keep us informed so we can celebrate and support people when they need a helping hand.
Should you have any questions or need to get in touch please contact with me at matt@redeemercentral.com or give me a call.