$scope.createGroup = function(u) {
  groupRef.child(u.groupName).set({pass: u.pass, items})
  $scope.myGroup = u.groupName;
  var groupie = $scope.myGroup;
  console.log($scope.myGroup);
}.then(function(groupie){
  console.log('then function called');// type error
  var fbNew = new Firebase("dummyURL/" + groupie");
});