- Epworth
Experience a Small Group this Lenten Season
The early Methodist movement was powered by adherents gathering in small groups to encourage and support each other in daily living. This year, our Lenten study will adopt this model and several different small groups will be forming.
Small groups provide support for living out our commitment to Christ in our daily lives, more than can be provided by attendance at weekly services. We will meet to learn from each other how we apply Wesleyan principles of do no harm, do good, stay in love with God to dealing with the challenges and joys of daily life such as parenting, aging, elder parents, work, retirement, relationship, right livelihood, etc.
Group leaders will act as facilitators to provide a safe space for participants to speak freely. It is a commitment and involuntary outcome that participants and leader grow spiritually together. The mirror provided by group sharing allows each participant to examine their faith and faithfulness for themselves, without judgement.
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Small Group Descriptions:
Companions in Christ: An Exploration of Spiritual Living
As the journey unfolds, Companions in Christ offers classic and contemporary spiritual practices that form rather than inform the participants and encourage them in inner and outward expressions of their faith.
Leader: Bill Miller
Meeting time: Wednesdays at 7 pm
Location: Adult Study (Epworth Lower Level, use Hopkins St. entrance)
Heavenly Hops Small Group
While meeting in a social setting, this small group won’t shy away from diving deep into conversation about “how it is with our souls.”
Leader: Merrie Bunt
Meeting Time: Tuesdays @ 6 pm for food; 6:30 pm for conversation
Location: Beer Baron - 5900 College Ave., Oakland
Hiking Small Group
The hiking small groups will meet on Saturday mornings from 9-11. We will hit different trails in the east bay area, mostly flat or gentle slopes no more than 2-3 miles. As we walk we will reflect on the Lenten theme: how am I doing all the good I can, how am I doing no harm, how am I staying in love with God? We will end each hike with a brief check-in.
Leader: Caroline Lee
Meeting Time: Saturday Mornings 9-11am
Location: TBD as a Group
Labyrinth Walk Small Group
In this group we will take time to reflect on John Wesley’s “Three Simple Rules” both as we walk the labyrinth and in a time for small group sharing. Our first meeting will be on Ash Wednesday, Mar. 6, 7-8 pm. Subsequent times will be determined by the group (Sunday or Wednesday evenings). Possible field trip to outdoor labyrinth.
Leader: Judy Cayot
Meeting Time: First Meeting - Wednesday, Mar. 6th at 7 pm
Location: Fellowship Hall (Epworth Lower Level)
Men’s Small Group
Small group for men wanting group support for living out our commitment to Christ in our daily lives, more than can be provided by attendance at weekly services. We will meet to learn from each other how we apply Wesleyan principles of do no harm, do good, stay in love with God to dealing with the challenges and joys of daily life such as parenting, aging, elder parents, work, retirement, relationship, right livelihood, etc. It is a group commitment and involuntary outcome that participants and leader grow spiritually together. The mirror provided by group sharing allows each participant to examine their faith and faithfulness for themselves, without judgement.
Leader: John Schweizer
Meeting Time: TBD by group
Location: TBD by group
Racial Justice and Wesley's Three Simple Rules Small Group
This group is an invitation to think about how race shapes our spiritual lives. We will use John Wesley's "Three Simple Rules" as a source of insight and grounding, to help us cultivate spiritual practices for the work of racial justice. This group is aimed at assisting white people in developing a more robust racial consciousness.
Leader: Pastor Lacey
Meeting Time: Sundays at 11:45am or TBD by group
Location: Epworth Chapel (Located behind the sanctuary; top of Napa St. stairs)
Take a deep dive into the Last Supper by exploring/recreating Leonardo’s tableau Small Group
Explore the emotional and spiritual crisis the disciples and Jesus experienced when he says, “one of you will betray me.” Equal parts Bible study, art discussion, role playing and photography.
Leader: LeRoy Howard
Meeting Time: Sunday’s, 11:30
Location: Epworth Room 29 (Upper Level)
Waking Up to Sabbath
What are your first thoughts as you wake up in the morning? What lies heavy on your heart? What makes rising on Sabbath different from the other days of the week? Come share a cup of coffee or tea as we think about what Jesus called the most important commandment: To love God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as yourself.
Leader: Susan Jardin
Meeting Time: Sundays at 9-9:45 am
Location: Susan’s Office (Located above Hopkins St. entrance)
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