FALL SMALL GROUPS 2016
SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER
The purpose of SGM (Small Group Ministry) is to deepen friendships and faith, learn something new, share ideas, and promote change in a supportive, save environment. Groups of 6 to 15 people meet weekly or monthly in homes or at the church for 4 to 12 sessions.
PLANNING AHEAD 2: DEATH AND DYING MATTERS (repeat) TUESDAYS, 7:00 to 9:15 PM, Sept. 6, 13, 20, 27
(Please Register by July 31 so books can be ordered)
Taking time to reflect on our past and future encounters with death is both a practical and a spiritual exercise. Pre-planning the final rite of our human journey can save money, clarify our personal values and wishes, and take a large burden off the shoulders of grieving loved ones. Death and dying issues include advance care planning, before and after death care, funerals, memorials, eulogies and rituals of remembrance.
Participants' personal experiences, videos and the book, In Memoriam by Edward Searl, will be our primary resources. Home preparation includes reading and/or questionnaires. Cost: $25 (includes book) or what you can afford Venue: McGregor home Contact: Iso McGregor
ECO SUPPORT GROUP (monthly group)
THURSDAYS, 1:10 to 3:00 PM, Sep. 8, Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8 The purpose of this monthly group is to support and encourage each other to do all we can to alleviate Global Warming, personally and politically. It typically involves an opening, check-in, video/reading/discussion and action plans for the following month. Cost: $0 Venue: Group members’ homes. First meeting atMc Gregor home Contacts: Ruth Gilbert or Iso McGregor
INTRODUCING THE COMMUNITY LABYRINTH AT PUC
WEDNESDAYS, 7:00 to 8:30 PM, Sept. 14, 21, 28, Oct. 5
The first session will introduce you to walking the labyrinth. The following weeks will include an equinox walk (a doorway to a
PARKMINSTER UC COMMUNITY LABYRINTH CONT’D
new season) and a gratitude walk before Thanksgiving. Each evening we will walk the labyrinth as a way to deepen our spirituality and to create balance in the stresses of life. Cost: $0 Venue: Parkminster Labyrinth (follow the parking lot around behind the church and see the beautiful new interlocking brick labyrinth) Facilitator: Rev. Meg Grieve Contacts: Roxy Linkletter and
Jeanne Foster
LEARNING ABOUT SMALL GROUP LEADERSHIP
TUESDAYS, 7:00 to 9:00 PM, October 4, 11, 18, 25
Are you interested in deepening friendship, supporting social issues and/or exploring spiritual longings? You are invited to participate in a 4-week group to explore how these goals can be facilitated in small groups. A special invitation is extended to all Committee Chairs for the first session on ‘spiritual types’, which will help you in committee leadership. Cost: $11 for the book, Rooted in the Divine by Anne Martin, or you may borrow it. Venue: Linkletter home Facilitators: Roxy Linkletter and Jeanne Foster
COUNTERING PHAROAH’S PRODUCTION-CONSUMPTION SOCIETY TODAY
MONDAYS, 9:25 to 11:30 AM, Oct. 17, 24, 31, Nov. 7, 14
“It is a journey from slavery to covenant that we keep making over and over again…[because] Pharaoh has immense power always to draw us back into slavery” – Walter Brueggemann
This 5-week video series features Walter Brueggemann, an Old Testament scholar, retired professor from Columbia Theological Seminary, and a United Church of Christ minister. Cost: $5 for photocopying Venue: Jim’s home Facilitators: Jim Bowman and Rose Mary Burkhart
DEEPENING ADVENT SPIRITUALITY
WEDNESDAYS, 1:30 to 3:00 PM, Nov. 16, 23, 30, Dec. 7
A 4-week group during Advent Season on how to welcome the Spirit into the Advent Season in times of joy and sorrow, celebration, and pain. Inspired by the book, Learning to Walk in the Dark, by Barbara Brown Taylor. Cost: $0 Venue: Family Room at Parkminster Facilitator: Rev. Meg Grieve