The holidays are here! This can only mean one thing: a new year is right around the corner. While many of us look forward to spending quality time with family and friends, what about your small group? Our team came together to share how our groups recharge, reconnect, and celebrate a new beginning. From potlucks to service projects, our team had several fun ideas to share.
Here are our favorite ways to ring in the new year with our church and small group besties:
- Early in December, we have a Christmas party with a potluck dinner and games. Then we take a break until the new year.
– Elizabeth Hyndman, Lifeway Women editorial project leader - Our church was filling bags for kids that we’ll give out on a mission trip to Guatemala, so our small group took a list of items needed (toothbrushes, small toys, soap, and so forth) and brought those items to our small group to be packed by the mission team.
– Elizabeth Hyndman, Lifeway Women editorial project leader - When my children were really young, four of us began a biweekly playgroup with our nine children. Every year we celebrated New Year’s Day together as families. The moms created hourly activities/games to keep them entertained, and we included the dads! Everyone brought food, and it has been one of my children’s favorite memories. And now that all of our children are grown and having their own children, we still set aside one night during the holidays to get together for food and games.
– Kelly D. King, manager of Adult Ministry Magazines/Devotionals and Women’s Training - Here are a few different missional activities I have done with small groups and even as an entire congregation: 1) We filled stockings for our truck stop ministry, and they were distributed to truckers on Christmas Day (and around that day) since some of them are still driving and away from their families. 2) We set up trees in one area and encouraged people to bring socks, mittens, and hats to decorate the tree. All of them were taken to a local rescue mission for families that needed basics for the colder months.
– Kelly D. King, manager of Adult Ministry Magazines/Devotionals and Women’s Training - Have a Christmas meal with a mug or scarf exchange.
– Larissa Roach, manager of Lifeway Women Marketing - Start the new year with everyone saying their “word” for the year and sharing how others can pray for them as the new year begins.
– Larissa Roach, manager of Lifeway Women Marketing - Growing up, our church hosted a fellowship for families to enjoy food, games, and laughter. Then at 11:30 we would all go into the sanctuary and join together in prayer and worship as we welcomed a new year. This is one of my favorite traditions and church memories.
– Juliana Wilson, Lifeway Women social media and influencer relations strategist
How does your group celebrate? We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!
