During the time of the ‘Great Revival’ people grouped together into Religious Societies, from these the small bands of three or four class meetings developed.
In 1738 John Wesley made the first rules, they were to meet together every week, there were to be no less than five and no more than ten people; these were the inner circle of the Methodist Societies. Leaders were appointed and classes where held in all sorts of places from farm kitchens to coal-mines. The leaders kept the names of members in a little book and every quarter each received a ticket of membership. The idea in Wesley’s mind was 'to hold together the people who were beginning to share a common experience of the risen Christ in their hearts'. The singing of Charles Wesley’s hymns also helped to keep the small bands together, as there had been no hymn singing in the Anglican Church previous to the ‘Revival’
Our House groups at Castle meet once a month, at various times and in different areas of Colchester, where a variety of subjects are discussed and the fellowship of other Christians is a valued part of the meeting. They are still cared for by Group Leaders, but we only receive our membership tickets once a year.
You will find details of these meetings on the Church notice board and they are also advertised in the weekly notices.
If you would like to join in a group meeting please ask a steward for more details.