Affinity Groups
What are Affinity Groups?
How do I join an Affinity Group?
How do I create an event?
What are the current Affinity Groups available?
What if I have other questions or would like to create a new Affinity Group?
What are Affinity Groups?
Affinity Groups are informal connection places online where people can plan activities around their common passions, gifts and interests, and get to know other folks at Hope.
Affinity Groups were created to further inspire relational connections within the body of Hope, to provide opportunities for people visiting Hope to make new friends, and as an informal bridge for the body of Hope to invite their friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers into relationships with the people of Hope.
All events are organic in nature. That is to say, there is no single leader of individual Affinity Groups. Anyone that joins the group can suggest an event or activity, and rally others to participate. It can be as simple as a gathering over coffee, or as involved as a planned field trip. And as the concept catches on, we would hope that any number of activities could be on the calendar within any given Affinity Group at any given time.
Don’t be shy. However the spirit leads, our passions are a gift from God, and we encourage you to share them with those around you. It is our hope that the relationships and experiences that evolve out of Affinity Groups will be encouraging and fruitful in furthering the Hope mission of offering experiences, relationships and places where people can find life and purpose in Jesus Christ.
How do I join an Affinity Group?
Affinity Groups utilize Facebook because it is already such a powerful connection place for so many, and because it is so easy to use. Each group has a Facebook group page, and all you do is hit the “join” button. This will keep you in the loop of the groups you are interested in. Then the goal is to invite as many of your friends as possible that also share the same interest.
How do I create an event?
Once you are a part of an Affinity Group, simply click the “Create an Event” button to the right of the Facebook group page, and invite people to participate. You can host a one-time event or hold one on a regular basis, whatever works for you. Once an activity is scheduled, we would encourage you to invite others that you know that may be interested that aren’t a part of the group, or Hope Church for that matter. If they can’t make the first event, maybe they’ll be able to make the next event. The key is to take the step of invitation.
Events can be broad in nature, or focused on a narrow interest or set of folks. For instance, a Parent/Child activity could be a Canoe Trip specifically for Fathers/Sons, or a Field Trip to a museum could be designed for just adult women. Just be clear in your event description. We would like to do whatever we can to avoid the concept of exclusion. Events should be open to any and all folks for which the activity is intended.
And this probably goes without saying, but please do not use Hope Affinity Groups for sales and promotional activities, such as promoting your business to the group or an activity such as a Pampered Chef or Jewelry sales parties. Affinity Groups and the related events are intended as relational connection opportunities for people in and around Hope Church, not for business purposes.
What are the current Affinity Groups available?
There are a wide variety of groups, and numerous passions and interests that fall under these broader based groups. See the list on the menu to the left. Please select the ones that interest you to find out a little bit more about the types of events and activities that might arise and join as many groups as you like. Then invite your friends from Hope, as well as your friends outside of Hope, your neighbors, family, and coworkers…the more the merrier. The more momentum we generate, the more participation will increase. Remember, just because you join a group does not obligate you to participate in or host events in that group. It is merely a way for you to stay in the loop of events related to your particular interests or passions. As the spirit leads and the right events percolate for you, we hope that you will participate, and invite your friends too. And if you really feel inspired, we would love for you to host an event, activity, or gathering. If ever there was an “if the spirit moves you” place, the Affinity Groups concept is it.
What if I have other questions or would like to create a new Affinity Group?
Please contact the Hope Affinities administrator at affinities@hopecentral.com