retro

fellowship group for young adults
… 18 to 22 year old

RETRO is the enigmatically named fellowship group at St Thomas' for people roughly in the 18 to 22 age group.

RETRO? Why RETRO? (The name, that is.) Well, one night a few years ago the esteemed group leaders were sitting around trying to think up something a bit catchier than '18 Plus'. RETRO was suggested and enthusiastically accepted before we bothered to work at what it actually stood for. Since then, in true postmodern fashion (and postmodernism does have its strengths and weaknesses), various people have 'interacted with the text' and created their own meaning. The highly respected Rev Simon Manchester surprisingly suggested 'Rebellious Eccentrics That Refuse Order'. The RETRO leaders prefer to endorse 'Reformed Evangelical Theological Religious Organisation'.

RETRO's members are split across several Bible Study Groups. The rough structure is as follows:

a) most weeks in the month, the Bible Study Groups meet separately on Wednesday nights;

b) one week of each month the groups come together – alternating between the Church Prayer Meeting or at a specially organised RETRO Combined Meeting with a guest speaker (of some repute);

c) plus there are regular social events;

d) and there is one RETRO weekend away and one church houseparty every year.

The rock on which RETRO is based is the good news about Jesus Christ (ie. the gospel). John 3:16 expresses the central message well:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that who ever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

RETRO aims to help its members (including leaders) to love God more and to serve Him more effectively.

A theme verse for the group is Hebrews 3:13–20:

"But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

The RETRO leaders in 2010 are Mike & Kara Wong.

Need more information? Contact the church office and we'll put you in touch with one of the leaders.