The intended approach of using Encounter is within small group discussion.  While meeting in large groups to learn and discuss our faith is certainly very good, we believe that meeting with a small group of people on a regular basis can be even better.  How big is a small group?  We're suggesting that a small group be less then 10 people - ideally 6-8. 

In large group discussion, it can often be difficult for everyone to have the opportunity to share or ask questions.  Because of the size of the group, people often don't get the opportunity to really know one another on a personal level.  The larger the group, the more chance there is of participants coming and going.   With a smaller size, there is more opportunity for deeper discussion, more opportunity for everyone to share and discuss, more opportunity for people to get to know each other personally.  Here, in small groups that meet regularly, Christian community can have a more frutiful space to develop and grow. 

Many church parishes throughout the diocese have begun offering new small group based adult formation.  

• Our hope is that every church parish would have small groups of parishioners coming together each week in their homes or at their church parish.  

• Our hope is that we would all have relationships with whom we can regularly discuss our faith and share our lives - that we would all experience true Christian community throughout our lifetime. 

• Our hope is that each of our church parishes would become a 'community of communities' - a Christian community made up of many smaller Christian communities.  We believe that these small group based communities will strengthen and renew our church parishes.
   

Many church parishes have a number of small groups meeting reguarly, facilitated by trained parishioners.  If you're interested in joining a small group, contact your church parish office, and ask them about joing a small group.
 

We invite anyone who wishes to be in a small group to join an existing group through their church parish.  These existing groups have facilitators that have been trained to best serve its members in small group format with this specific resource.  Once a person goes through a semester of being in a small group, that person may discern to begin and faciliate a small group on his or her own.  If they discern to begin another group, they will be provided with further training to equip them to best serve the new group.

That said, you are certainly permitted to make use of the resource in a way that it would best serve you.  Again, we would encourage you to sincerely consider joining an existing group through your church parish, as that is the intention and hope.  If you decide to use this resource in a different manner, you will need to obtain a password to watch the videos.  You can do that by contacting your church parish.  They will have the password for the videos.
 

While this resource is intentionally designed  for small group format, you are certainly permitted to make use of this resource on your own.   While there is no formal need to sign up for this resource, you will need to obtain a password to watch the videos.  You can do that by contacting your church parish.  They will have the password for the videos.  That said, it is our real hope that people would come together regularly in small groups, discuss the material, and grow in true Christian community.  If you do end up making use of this resource on your own, we would invite you to consider joining a small group in the future.