It's fascinating how food plays such an important part within most of our Small Groups (and not to mention Alpha!). Food brings us together. We meet over it, it's welcoming and we socialise around it. Food can play its part in breaking down barriers, relaxing us and allowing us time to find commonality. We need it, it's a life-requirement. And of course, best of all, food is biblical... lol.

 
And yet, on the flipside, we sometimes find out that we have very different tastes. We acknowledge that there are those around us who struggle to afford enough, whilst many of us have too much. Others simply (or not) find the whole subject of food a very sticky (toffee) one to deal with.

So, in my next couple of posts I'm going to help you with some ideas for Lent in your Small Group, and/or Cluster. It starts with this rather brilliant book - 'FASTING & FEASTING' (Gordon Giles) - which I can honestly say challenged me in really unexpected ways, on many different levels. Don't panic, I could read it, and even understand it. It's only a couple of easy pages a day.
 
If you are a Small Group Leader, you'll enjoy hearing that this idea should mean you don't have a lot to do (try not to hear 'nothing' there), except a little organisation in advance, which I'm helping you with. (Idea for a Cluster night on the way too!)
 
So get hold of a copy now, have a nose through so that you can agree with me about how appropriate it is, and then start encouraging your group to buy a copy each.  (And if you can afford two, buy one for someone else in your group who can't afford one!).
 
You've got about 4 weeks before Lent, so I'll let you get hold of a copy first, and then post more on this next week.....