The following Purpose and Norms comes out of an opportunity in November 2007 for our group to discuss our own needs and expectations. During this discussion, we found commanility and differences that feel compatible in their tension. We offer the following to others who seek and may be asking 'Why we are here?' and 'How do we interact with one another?' We share these few ponts as ways our gatherings strives to engage with one another.

Bible Study: Why are we here?

• Accidental addiction – a need to be here!
• Because we see the WORD as relevant;
• For a discipline – to make our live richer
• For fellowship;
• For insight into the Sunday sermon/reflection;
• For Spirituality – to be ‘elevated’ when we leave;
• To dig deeper – give more depth to scripture;
• To Discern and Examine (our lives, the scriptures, our decisions, etc.);
• To join in the WORD as active participants (Sundays as well);
• To learn something – to gain some context;
• To work on BEING comfortable with the question(s); and,
• To wrestle with the text – to reflect for ourselves on the meaning – like Jacob at the river;

• Allow all people the space and time to speak;
• Being welcoming – considering where we sit, how we treat newcomers, etc.;
• Drapes drawn for comfort;
• Have fun;
• Heat comfortable in the room;
• Invite (each other, new comers, the Spirit…);
• Respect – we all have responsibilities and rights as to our expectations;
• Start on time and end on time;
• Through voices and tenor of voice – awareness of how we are speaking;
• We look for leadership;
• We will generally follow the lectionary, sometimes following themes and discussing other options.