 »Small Groups
give us a way to connect with each other
Have you
been attending services at University Congregational United Church of
Christ, but thinking you’d like to find a way to get to know people better?
Joining one of our small groups might be just the way. A small group is
simply a gathering of 4 - 15 people who meet together regularly for
fellowship, mutual support, and spiritual growth.
Making close
friendships can be hard to do on Sunday mornings. In order to build
friendships, we need opportunities to gather with smaller groups of people.
Small groups offer the opportunity to form meaningful, warm relationships
with other Christians. They offer ways for us to support each other, pray
for each other, deepen our faith, and hear how God is calling us to serve
the larger world we belong to.
Small groups
help to transform our church into a place where each of us can know that we
truly belong, where we can meet God face to face.
What kinds
of small groups will I find here?
University
Congregational United Church of Christ offers several types of small groups.
Home-based groups
These groups
meet regularly in the homes of group members and usually involve shared
food, fellowship, and often a guided discussion about faith and life. Some
groups, such as Firesides, meet together for many years. Some
Firesides have been meeting for more than 30 years!
Other
groups, such as Lenten Study Groups, meet for shorter periods.
Sometimes groups that start off meeting for a short period find the
experience so rewarding that they continue to meet.
 Bible
study/Christian education groups
These groups
sometimes meet at the church and sometimes they meet in people’s homes. Some
Christian study groups become home-based groups because the participants
enjoy being together so much.
Special interest groups
Many other
groups form because of a shared interest. There are book groups, support
groups, service-oriented groups, hobby groups and many more that might pique
your interest.
Mom's
group
All
moms are welcome to join a small group for conversation about family, faith,
spirituality and motherhood. Call the church office at 206-542-2322 for more
information.
Dad's
group
Dads
discuss balancing faith,
fatherhood, and everything else. Call the church office at
206-524-2322 for more information.
 Boards
These groups
constitute the lay leadership of the church, and do much of our
administrative, planning, education and spiritual work. Each board
specializes in a particular area such as building maintenance, Christian
education or social action. Boards make decisions about where to spend the
church’s funds and what kinds of programs to develop.
One of the
things that sets these small groups apart from similar groups or clubs
outside the church is their spiritual component. Even groups whose main
focus may be a business or maintenance function still include aspects of
mutual support, faith deepening, and some service outside the group.
University Congregational United Church of Christ is a very active church,
so if you are interested in doing something with others, there is most
likely a group for you. And if there isn’t already a group, you can start
one!
The Small Groups Taskforce
We think
that small groups are so important that we formed a small group (!) just to
promote and support them in our church. We are eager to help you connect
with a small group that’s right for you. We can also help you start a new
one.
I want to join a small group! Where do I start?
First, think
about what kind of small group experience you want. Do you want to develop
lifelong friends? Do you want to study the Bible in a group environment to
take your spiritual growth to a higher level? Or, do you just want to find
some congenial folks who enjoy hiking or another activity?
Next, think
about what level of time commitment you’re comfortable with.
Finally,
call the church office or e-mail us at
Small Groups. You’ll be
put in touch with a member of our Small Groups Taskforce who will help you
join a group. It’s easy!
I want to start a small group! Now what do I do?
If you are
interested in starting a new group, contact a minister at the church (206)
524-2322) or send an e-mail to the
Small Groups Taskforce.
We have resources to share with you on how to start and maintain a small
group. We can help you get started and put you in touch with others who may
be interested in joining you.
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