 »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 four to 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.
Fellowship Groups
UCUCC
Young Adults
If you are looking for other young adults in the congregation to
connect, believe, seek and doubt with, there is a place for you! Send a
message to UCCYoungAdults@googlegroups.com
to find out more.
The
Mentor Program
The Mentor Program matches a caring adult with a youth, and also matches
you mentors with younger children. If you are interested in volu8nteering as
a mentor or want a mentor, contact Tina Michalak, Mentor Coordinator at tinabina54@comcast.net.
The
Parent Group
The parent group is a support group for parents of children,
youth and young adults who have any type of special need. We meet on the
second and last Sunday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Burke Café
. New members are always welcome. For more information, or to sign up for
email reminders of the meetings, contact Tina Michalak at
tinabina54@comcast.net.
Crafts and
Conversation
Have you been wanting some
focused time to work on that project, but just can't seem to find the time?
Well, bring it to the church lounge on the second Tuesday of each month and work on it while enjoying the company of other
creative individuals. The plan is to make this a regular event, meeting on
the second Tuesday of each month at the same time and place. We'll talk,
laugh, learn about each other's creative passions—and perhaps get closer
to finishing that necklace/baby blanket/photo album! Any and all
arts/crafts are encouraged: needlework, beading, scrapbooking, paper
cutting, whatever! (Except perhaps chainsaw sculpture....)
Come
for a couple of hours or the entire evening! We'll provide tea and decaf,
comfy couches, worktables, and decent light. You bring your crafting
supplies and something to eat if you like. Babysitting is available by
reservation. Call or email Vicki Farmer with questions at 206-325-8283 or vickifarmer@hotmail.com.
“All
Women Extraordinary” (AWE)
The women of our church do so much. As a thank you, women are invited to
a light dinner of soup, salad and dessert on the fourth Monday of
every month from 6-8 p.m. These once-a-month, not-potluck dinners (sponsored
by the Parish Care Board) are an opportunity for women of our church to
connect with other each in a purely social setting. These dinners will be
called “All Women Extraordinary” (AWE). Come to be with other women to
listen, share and care. Contact Mary Paananen at mspaananen@earthlink.net
or 206-522-2156 for questions
or to arrange childcare (available by reservation).
Bible Study and Christian Education
Groups
Discovery
Bible
Meets
every Sunday before worship, Room 339, NW corner of the top floor.
The
Discovery Bible Group brings our varied points of view to a discussion of
the biblical readings of week from the interchurch National Council of
Churches Uniform Series. Touching each book of scripture over a
six-year cycle, the class includes intensive examination of each of the
Gospels.
Contact Bruce Danielson: (206) 282-7498
Tuesday
Morning Bible Study
Meets
Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in the lounge
This
Bible exploration and community building group meets with great regularity
to grapple with a scriptural book, changing with the seasons, and to
“check in” with each other. You are always welcome.
The
Theology Book Group
Meets
on the first Wednesday of month at 7:30-9:00pm in the lounge
The
Jesus Study Group
Meets
second Sunday of the month, 7:02 p.m. in the lounge
You are welcome to join in, as are all
believers, seekers or doubters.
Contact
Bob Fitzgerald for information: (206) 784-4634 or jsg@universityucc.org.
 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!
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 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.
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