The first Infinite Annual Report -  a time for reflection and an open letter to the group:

Dear Infinite,

I've just been writing an annual report for our Infinite group.  A strange thing to do, in some ways, but an important part of being part of the wider community that is our church.  Thinking how to communicate ourselves to others and how to share our news from the past year, often difficult, year proved to be an interesting and useful time of reflection.

Much of the report wrote itself.  For example, the statement we devised to express who and what we are has stood the test of time:

Infinite are a group from St Marks, Grenoside, who meet regularly for food, chat and prayer.  We are exploring what it means to live together as people who love God, each other and the world around us.  We currently meet on Monday evenings to talk and pray together, but also gather as a community on other occasions for family get-togethers, meals, worship and anything else we feel like doing. 

Then there were the words or phrases we gathered to describe what Infinite is about and our hopes/fears for the future.

Infinite is about:

• Belonging - a place where we can know and be known
• Gathering as a community/family outside of 'formal' meet-ups
• Openness - where all are welcomed into a place of safety
• Being 'normal - with God and each other (not stuffy)
• Discipleship - following Christ in all we do
• Support - in all areas of life; 'doing life together'
• Valuing - each other as God's gift to each other
• Accepting - cherishing individuality
• Exploring - different worship styles, times and pattern
• Learning - about different ways to relate to/speak with/experience God
• Creativity - seeing to encounter god in new and different ways

Our hopes for the future are:

• Growing (and welcoming growth)
• closer to God
• closer to one another
• outwardly, in size and attitude
• To explore ways of praying/worshiping with our children
• To enjoy spending time together and with other people
• Hosting events - to do more things that other people (esp. partners and friends) want to join in with
• Not to 'split up'

Again, so far, so good.  Although I can now perhaps see neater ways of expressing what we wanted to say, the words we used back in the autumn still speak for who we are.  Evidence, perhaps, of a secure group identity beginning to form?  

A test of that came in collating our highlights for 2012-13.  This was new and I became aware that, without time to discuss with the others, I'm in danger of speaking more for myself than the group.  That being as it may, the things I chose included: 

• Hosting something which was ‘Definitely Not a Hen Night’ for Claire Asquith in May 2012 and celebrating her marriage to Barrie a few weeks later.
• Greenbelt 2013 – Saving Paradise along with fun, laughter, rain and lots and lots of mud.
• Holding a memorial service for those affected by the loss of a baby - when we became aware of most of our group had been affected by the loss of a baby, either personally or by those close to them and decided to respond to this by holding a memorial service. ‘Time to Remember’ was a moving but meaningful way of acknowledging loss but also seeking God’s presence in it.
• Being joined by friends for an overnight retreat at Westwood Christian centre. We enjoyed relaxing and spending time with God and each other.  Our theme, which we unpacked with the help of contributions from the group and Rev Kate Bottley, was ‘God in the Ordinary’, exploring how God is present in our everyday lives and what we might do to become more aware of Him.
• A family trip to the Deep in Hull – Easter 2013.

Belonging, gathering, supporting and learning all feature strongly here. (As for being 'normal'? Well I wouldn't want to judge!).  I could perhaps have said more about some of the things we've been up to week-week, early attempts to explore different ways of worshiping and relating to God.  We've not yet been as creative as some of us might wish, but I'm confident we've started well. Relating to this, I also mentioned our Facebook communication: 

As well as meeting up we interact regularly through Facebook and by text message.  This is particularly important for keeping in touch with each other between gatherings and providing a way for those who are not able to attend meetings regularly to remain part of the community.  Infinite members and friends use the Facebook page for sharing interesting or thought-provoking articles, books they have been reading or quotes which have particularly inspired them to think about God in a fresh way.  You can find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InfiniteAtStMarksGrenoside

Facebook has its limitations - we need to be constantly aware that not all of us access Facebook in the same way.  Finding ways to make sure we include those who don't have regular, reliable access to the internet (or the time/desire to do so), is a big challenge to our desire to be open and inclusive.

In reflecting on some of our struggles and ongoing challenges, I'm struck by things which I didn't include in the report: the frustrations, the tears, the meetings which went on too long or left us angry or upset.  Neither did I mention the time of lament last summer, when the most appropriate thing (on so many levels and for so many reasons) we could do was to gather, to pray and to cry.  There are sometimes good reasons for avoiding being too honest.  There are things which don't need to be said.  But I'm challenged that, in editing the story, we should take care not to edit God out.  Some of our most painful moments as a group may prove to be those where God moved most powerfully?

We are in no way perfect.  There is much more we could be, as individuals and as a group, in God.  But, overall, my reflection is 'wow'.  What an infinitely brilliant, valuable and precious group of people.  What an honour to be a part of you all, to walk with you.  What a lot we've done. How much more is there to learn, to grow into and to share.

Thank you all, but most of all thank you God:


"Every time I think of you—and I think of you often!—I thank God for your lives of free and open access to God, given by Jesus. There’s no end to what has happened in you—it’s beyond speech, beyond knowledge. The evidence of Christ has been clearly verified in your lives.

Just think—you don’t need a thing, you’ve got it all! All God’s gifts are right in front of you as you wait expectantly for our Master Jesus to arrive on the scene for the Finale. And not only that, but God himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of his Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that."

(1 Corinthians 1:4-9 - The Message)