This weekend saw the the 4th gathering of our community. I guess we will need to come up with a name for ourselves at some time – but at the moment we simply talk in terms of gathering together.
We gathered on Saturday afternoon at our home to consider what Jesus was on about when he called himself the bread of life, particularly in John 6. I wrote a meditation to help our thinking which you can see here if you are interested (be helpful to have comments as well!)
It was stunned again by how things simply seem to work. The atmosphere is relaxed, children dip in and out, both adults and children relating what we hear to our lives and asking that ever important question ‘so … how does that effect my life in the real world today?’
As part of this gathering we looked back and chatted a little about how things were going and where we are heading too. We were able to make a decision about when we meet, which will be during the afternoon of the second Sunday of the month. We shared that we like the discussion format we have, the permission there is to ask questions and how it is ok to not have all the answers. This is particularly healthy for children to see.
One issue very soon will be space as we grow. We like meeting at homes as it helps to include the children, and this will be a greater challenge if we move anywhere bigger which is not a home.
Other issues revolve around what we do. We are trying to develop church here and yet there are things that we do not do which we feel makes up church; such as worship in any form and sharing the Eucharist. I guess I am nervous about the latter too as I believe there is scope to be creative within the CofE rules but to keep integrity I believe I need to chat with the bishop first for his guidance.
So … I think we are at an exciting stage as we look forward and we welcome your prayers and any comments you may have.
The Shiny Headed Prophet 
we've avoided the 'how to celebrate the Eucharist' question in our meetings, as we have maintained a strong link to the main church meeting twice a month- rather than forming FEx type groups that meet once a month, our entire church goes out in missional mode once a month and meets in forms that resemble FEx meetings… but on that Sunday we don't celebrate Eucharist or baptise people- those things we do when we are gathered as a community.it doesn't really help you guys, but its our current solution.I did some thinking about how Fresh Expressions, particularly those that are not within a sacramental tradition, might develop baptism and eucharist over time as a dissertation last year… I'll stick it onto my blog so that you can read it if you'd like to.
Just tried to upload the document- its not playing ball… need to work out how to create a page with my documents on it… in the meantime if you'd like a look at it, post a comment on my blog with your email address and i'll email it to you.