For an idea of what Small Group Ministry is or can be, listen to an excerpt of Reverend Kemler’s sermon on the meaning of Small Group Ministry from fall 2009, titled “Perhaps This Gift Is Your Answer” (5 MB .mp3, 10:16 in length).
Did you ever want to know other people better than you can know them in coffee hour? Did you ever wish for the opportunity to share your thoughts and feelings about the most important questions in our lives?
Small group ministry allows us to fulfill two of our fondest hopes — for deep friendship, where we can be truly known and accepted for who we are, and for spiritual exploration, time to share our thoughts on questions of profound significance in our lives. Small group ministry serves members and friends of the church who have the yearning people have had throughout the ages — the yearning for intimacy and ultimacy.
For the fall 2010 series we will discuss these topics on successive weeks:
Each session includes the lighting of the chalice, opening words, a thought-provoking introduction to the session topic, and time for honest sharing in an atmosphere of respectful listening.
Follow the link for a sample session, Living with Fear.
So that members of groups may feel free to share what is in their hearts, members agree to abide by a covenant or set of agreements including respectful listening, confidentiality, speaking from our own experience and committing to attend meetings. Agreeing to the covenant means everyone in the group shares responsibility for the group's ongoing success.
Follow the link for a sample Small Group Covenant.
First Parish Church is offering three groups in the fall of 2010. Groups are limited to eight, including two coaches. Participants are asked to make a commitment to attend all sessions.
SGM will begin the week of October 18 and conclude the week of November 22 (with the final Wednesday session in the week after Thanksgiving, on December 1). There will be meetings Monday afternoons (1 – 3 pm) and evenings (7 – 9 pm) and Wednesday evening (7 – 9 pm). Sign-up will be in the fall; but if you know now that you are interested, you may contact Susan Parks in the church office (978-448-6307 or ).
Spring sessions will begin March 7 and conclude April 13.
Monday Groups
Wednesday Group
| Monday dates | Wednesday dates | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October
November |
18
25 1 8 15 22 |
October
November December |
20
27 3 10 17 1 |
|
Monday Groups
Wednesday Group
| Monday dates | Wednesday dates | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March
April |
7
14 21 28 4 11 |
March
April |
9
16 23 30 6 13 |
|
1 Powder House Road … P.O. Box 457 … Groton, MA 01450-0457 … 978-448-6307 … …
Most recently updated 2010-06-17