Splitting the parents group

One of Parents Covenant Groups has a great problem - too many people. It meets monthly at members' homes for a potluck and a parenting-discussion, with paid sitters riding herd on the kids for the discussion time. Usually we've got about 10 adults and as many kids. But recently we've had as many as 18 adults. Too many -- people can't really talk, so the attendance falls back.

Splitting groups is the "Here there be dragons" of the Covenant Group map. But it was clearly time. The leaders polled the group. They decided to meet at the church for a while for a large-group potluck supper, and then break into smaller discussion groups. Had the first such meeting yesterday. Just in time, too. Four new families showed up(!)

We needed somebody to let us into the building; one of the grand old men of the church showed up with a key. He looked at the ~15 adults and ~18 kids milling around when he arrived. He shook his head and laughed. "I recall when we called our first minister to this church." He waved his hand at the crowd. "We didn't have this many people in the whole church back then."