So, now we're thinking home church-- wanna come??

Out of the mouths of Babes...

We tried the house-church idea, too. It has some real strengths. These are some of the things that made it work for us:

 - involve at least one more family if you can. 

Church is about community. Community stretches us and smooths off our rough spots, giving us something to sound out our insights against and round out our relevation. When God reveals godself directly, God reveals different aspects to different individuals. You can't get the whole picture on your own.

 - Use the liturgy

That's what you crave, after all. One of the old prefaces to the BCP calls it "the priceless possession of the church". The church is the people, not the institution, so the people should claim it and use it. Get your own if you don't have one already. Use the 1928 or older if that's what you want. Customize for your communities needs (use Latin!). Print out your customized liturgy so that everyone can follow. Use consistency from week to week to build traditions and so that the children can follow. Collect an offering for a chosen charity.

 - Add the "smells and bells"

Cover the dining-room table or coffee table with white linen. Light candles (even light one for every person in the room!). Have music -- haul out the old guitar or tin whistle from your college residence days or recruit a pianist, even sing along with a tape if you don't have any musical talent.

 - Include everyone, accomodate personal needs

Stop and explain things to children or catechumens. Make sure everyone has a comfortable chair, whether their legs are short or their back is weak. Let the children lead songs and/or light candles. Take turns with others to plan the liturgy, lead the prayers of the people, and preach a homily.

When we started, we explained to Rachel what we were doing (she was just turned 3) and she asked "But Mama, who will give us the bread?" In the end, that's why House Church didn't meet our needs. If you have any channel by which you can access the preconsecrated elements, you can use that to maintain a sense of connectedness with the larger church. My experience is that the Priests of the institutional church will not allow that leverage -- of being able to withhold the Eucharist -- to pass from their hands.