Every month we submit an article to Great Shelford's monthly magazine. Here is our latest contribution for the September 2025 edition.

Church beyond Sunday
 
I am writing this after a lovely evening of friendship, food and live music in a pretty garden with over 60 others.  We are a diverse bunch of people across generations, with a variety of different interests and backgrounds but we have an important thing in common – faith in Jesus.
 
According to a YouGov study, more than half of Britons say they find it difficult to make new friends and even in church it can be hard to develop relationships on a Sunday morning – though we do aim to be very welcoming at Great Shelford Free Church!  However, we also have midweek housegroups which offer a more intimate setting for building relationships within a group of 6-10 people.  But they are so much more than just for friendship!
 
They are a place of mutual support where we can be honest and share the ongoing ups and downs of life with people we trust who will be there to encourage and help us or celebrate with us.  We believe in the power of prayer and we bring individual needs to God as well as reaching out on behalf of the community and the wider world.  We are encouraged and thankful when we see answers to prayers.
 
The Bible is the core of our Christian faith but some parts of it aren’t always easy to understand. The housegroups provide a space for study and discussion, for expanding on Sunday sermons and they give the opportunity to ask any questions in a safe environment. And importantly, we think how we can apply the Bible teachings in our everyday lives.
 
Each group has its own style but they all feature fun, laughter and food!  No meeting would be complete without drinks and snacks and meals are a frequent part of the programme. Other events have included boat trips, walks and weekends away.  Which brings me back to the social event at the start when all the groups came together for a great evening.
 
The early church set us an example where “They spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together.  Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. All the Lord's followers often met together, and they shared everything they had” Acts 2:42-44
 
Fiona Joel
Deacon