GET READY… GET SET… GATHER!
A key component of our mission at The Anchor is to provide a welcoming space for women to gather, develop and deepen friendships, and be encouraged through Jesus.
Do you have plans for the evening of Thursday, February 3rd? We want to encourage you to host a watch party in your home where you can bring together friends old and new and be encouraged! We are dreaming big to share the great news of Jesus and the hope and light He brings to women everywhere. And you can help us!
One of our founding verses, Hebrews 10:24-25, reflects the importance of The Anchor’s “gathering” component: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” The Anchor at Home (the virtual version of our original Anchor gatherings) is a perfect example of how we can continue meeting together even through a global pandemic.
We were inspired by the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42. The two sisters opened their home to Jesus and sat and listened to Him. In Mary and Martha fashion, we want to bring The Anchor into your homes with the great news of Jesus so you and your friends and neighbors can sit and listen and be encouraged.
What is a Watch Party?
Anchorwoman Kathleen’s January watch party
Anchorwoman Marilyn’s December watch party
We are often asked “What is a watch party?” A watch party is “a social gathering for the purpose of watching a specific event or program.” The Anchor at Home Watch Party is just that.
Women gather for some social time before viewing our YouTube broadcast together. These events are lead by an Anchorwoman (what we call our watch party hosts) who invite others who need to be encouraged to meet together and grow in faith and friendship. These gatherings provide an opportunity to spend time with friends old and new and hear our speakers talk about times in their own lives where they have been anchored by their faith or challenged by circumstances and overcome them. We also feature music by a variety of local and national musicians.
Interested in attending an in-person Anchor and don’t know an Anchorwoman? Click here and we will connect you with someone in your area!
Get on board!
To get on board and lead your own Anchor get-together, you can sign up to be a watch party host.
Why sign up? We love our leaders and offer monthly Zoom meeting training, exclusive giveaways, and yearly retreats. We don’t want you to miss out on all that we have planned for you!
After you’ve signed up to be a leader, we have a host gift to send to you and will provide you with all the information you need to lead a watch party in your own home. Watch parties can be small, large, or virtual…it’s up to you! (Click here for our 5 steps to hosting a successful watch party at your house!)
We hope you’ll join us with your friends this month to watch the Anchor at Home and get ready to party!
“A home should be an anchor, a port in a storm, a refuge, a happy place in which to dwell, a place where we are loved and we can love.” – Anonymous
Check out last season’s “Year in Review” to hear the impact watch parties can make!
Five Steps to Watch Party Success
Hospitality
Hospitality is key in providing a welcoming and inviting environment. Hospitality is an attitude of the heart — the size of your living room or your cooking skills don’t matter. Your guests will appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness the most. Each month, we share appetizers and mocktails in our Watch Party Kit. You can use your own tried and true recipes or a simple plate of cookies — whatever is easiest for you. Another idea: try Katie’s favorite charcuterie board!
Invite & Share
Invite others to your watch party (Anchor at Home) held the first Thursday of each month. A week or two in advance, personally invite guests through text, email, or in person. This is such a great opportunity to invite friends, neighbors and coworkers that would love to be encouraged and hear a message of hope. Beginning April 2022, we will have printed postcard invitations for your use as well!
Watch Party Kit
Our Watch Party Kit will be provided each month and includes fun recipes for drinks and appetizers, bios on our musicians and speakers, icebreaker questions, discussion questions for the message, and a sign-up QR code for our monthly drawing. You can print it out and have it available when guests arrive. Take a peek at January’s Watch Party Kit!
Discussion
Discussion time: after the Anchor at Home has ended, set aside time to answer the questions provided in your Watch Party Kit. This is an important time to discuss some questions to help anchor you in your faith and friendships. Watch your friendships grow deeper as you share together.
Encourage & Share!
Finally, encourage your guests to share the Anchor at Home links, subscribe to the YouTube channel, and like and share The Anchor on Instagram and Facebook. We love to read your comments!
