Connecting in the age of Coronavirus can feel limited. But through the grace of technology and a cadre of volunteers, there are possibilities for us to grow closer as a community even in a time of physical distancing. Below are many of our most frequent small groups as well as one new group beginning February 1st.
All of our small groups embody four important values: Inviting, Growing, Connecting and Serving. Some groups may emphasize one value over another, but each group seeks to incorporate all four values. For example, while a book study group may be primarily about growing spiritually and intellectually through a book, it is also intentional about inviting others to join the group, connecting with one another to build community, and serving others through outreach.
We hope the small group offerings at First Congregational Church will help you to discover and enrich your faith, to discern and use your gifts, and to build community within our congregation. Look through the many offerings, find something of interest to you, and get involved. Sign up here or call/email the facilitator listed.
If you have an idea for a future small group, or are interested in leading a group, contact our Small Groups Coordinator, Susan Wilkinson, at 303-772-3531 or suemacnutson@gmail.com. You may also contact Pedro Silva, Associate Pastor at 303-442-1787 x102 or pedro@ firstcong.net.
BIBLE STUDY
On the 1st, 3rd, or 5th Wednesday of every month, join a group of seekers in their study of the Bible. The discussion is facilitated by John Bisceglia. To be added to the Bible study e-mail list, contact John’s husband Keith Lance, keithlance@comcast.net
Date and Time: Wednesday, September 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Place: Zoom
Contact: Keith Lance, keithlance@comcast.net
KNITTING MINISTRY
If you are interested in learning to knit, or knitting with others, you are invited to join this group. The knitting is simple, and the camaraderie is great. We knit prayer shawls for those in our church community in need of comfort and support in difficult times; baby blankets for new additions to our congregation, and blankets for graduating seniors. Shawls have been made for centuries; they are universal and embracing. They enfold, comfort, cover, wrap, nurture, hug, shelter and beautify, and are symbolic of God’s inclusive and unconditional love. Over the last 15 years, we have provided more than close to 275 shawls and blankets to others. We presently knit on our own but check in by email every so often during this time of COVID. We normally get together once a month to share the fellowship of knitting together. We hope we can return to our time together in the not too distant future. Please contact Alma Alber or Jane Strohm to get connected.
Contact: Alma Alber, 303-449-5663, almaalber@comcast.net or Jane Strohm, 303-717-5432, jestrohm@comcast.net
MEMOIR WRITING GROUP with NANCY WADE
Have you ever considered writing a memoir? The goal of each member of this group is to write individual vignettes which will eventually comprise a memoir. We write in response to a weekly “prompt” and then read our vignettes to the group. This group is limited to 10 members. Currently this group has no openings, but contact Nancy if you would like to be waitlisted.
Date and Time: Wednesdays, 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m.
Place: Conference Room
Contact: Nancy Wade, nmwade1@gmail.com, 303-579-7746
MEMOIR WRITING GROUP with DONNA DANIELL
This group supports each other’s goals in writing by focusing specifically on memoir writing. The group is open for people interested in committing to working with an ongoing group.
Date and Time: 2nd Wednesdays of the month
Place: Zoom
Contact: Donna Daniell 303-682-5220
MEN’S BREAKFAST
Do you hunger for conversation that is more than just talk? Then join us for the much famed Men’s Breakfast. This is an open community of men who have a heart for our church community and our world. Every week we have conversations that take a heart and head approach to inviting in personal and communal transformation.
Date and Time: Fridays, 7-8:30am
Place: Zoom
Contact: Pedro Silva, 303-442-1787, pedro@firstcong.net
POETRY GROUP
Do you love writing, reading, or listening to poetry of every kind, this is a group you’ll enjoy. We gather and share and reflect on each other’s contributions and at times write poems of our own together. It is fun and a great way of building community.
Date and Time: Fridays, noon-1pm
Place: Zoom
Contact: Diana Shellenberger, diana.shellenberger@gmail.com Pedro Silva, 303-442-1787, pedro@firstcong.net
SPIRITUAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR CAREGIVERS
The Spiritual Support Group for Caregivers meets on a monthly basis serving those who provide care for loved ones. The group is facilitated by volunteers and offers a safe and confidential setting where one can receive support for the sometimes challenging caregiver journey. The meetings are structured along respectful guidelines that foster sharing, reflection, and an invitational spirit.
Date and Time: 2nd Sundays, 12-1:30pm
Place: Zoom
Contact: Bill Forbes wmforbes1@gmail.com, Margaret Perez mlbperez@aol.com
SPIRITUAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR GRIEF
The Spiritual Support Group for those experiencing grief meets on a monthly basis serving those who are at various stages of grief. The meetings are structured along respectful guidelines that foster sharing, reflection, and an invitational spirit.
Date and Time: 2nd Sundays, 2-3:30pm
Place: Zoom
Contact: Bill Forbes wmforbes1@gmail.com
SPIRITUAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS
A Spiritual Support Group for Mental Health and Wellness meets for persons who are affected with mental health challenges, as well as for family and friends. This confidential group provides a place to share, learn, and grow in a supportive environment. We welcome all faith traditions or none.
Date and Time: 2nd & 4th Mondays, 6:30-8:00pm
Place: Zoom
Contact: Anne Weiher, anne.weiher@gmail.com
WOMEN’S SPIRITUALITY GROUP
Women’s Spirituality Group is open to all women interested in deepening their faith, sharing in a safe environment, reading, and watching short film and video series. We are a weekly drop in group currently meeting on Zoom; contact me for the link.
Date and Time: Tuesdays, 12-1:30pm
Place: Zoom
Contact: Susan Pfretzschner, 303 440-6346, susanpf2@comcast.net
WONDER WOMEN
Wonder Women is an ongoing “drop in” group of women who meet twice monthly to share thoughts and experiences on “the meaning of life” after age 60. The group chooses a book to read and then we come together twice a month to share thoughts, experiences and questions from our reading. This Fall, we are reading “Stamped from the Beginning” by Ibram X. Kendi. We invite you to join us as we journey on our exploration of what it means to “age gracefully” especially in this unusual year we are encountering.. Just send an email or call Alma Alber to get connected.
Date and Time: 1st & 3rd Thursdays, 1:30-3pm
Place: Zoom
Contact: Alma Alber, 303-449-5663, almaalber@comcast.net
X WOMEN
X Women are members of Gen X who identify as women. This group gathers socially to build peer relationships within the First Congregational community. Our name refers to our generation, at least one of our chromosomes, and our general superhero-like natures.
Date and Time: 1st & 3rd Fridays, 6:30pm
Place: Zoom
Contact: Laura Riihamaki, lauradian@hotmail.com, Nicole Speer, nicole.speer@gmail.com
TAI CHI
Looking for a way to meditate and, at the same time, improve your muscle strength, flexibility, and balance? Tai Chi is a gentle, non-strenuous way to build a stronger body-mind-spirit connection. First Cong’s long-running Tai Chi class led by Virginia Schultz meets on Mondays from 9-10 a.m. Be advised to dress in loose clothing and light footwear (in a pinch, bring your slippers) for maximum comfort. Designed for everyone from beginners up–this class is a wonderful way to start the week. You can start the Tai Chi class at any time. The cost is $10.00 per class. Email Keith Lance to be added to the Tai Chi email list and you will be notified about specific dates when classes will and will not be held. Otherwise, this class is ongoing.
Date and Time: Mondays, 9:00 pm
Place: Via Zoom
Contact: Keith Lance, keithlance@comcast.net
YOGA
During these days of Safer at Home, you’re invited to join my yoga classes on Zoom. The postures and movements coordinated with breathing combine to create well-being, improved circulation, strength, balance and fitness. Because I offer lots of variations to the poses, my classes are accessible to beginning and continuing students. You’ll need a yoga mat and a blanket or folded towel.
Date and Time: Wednesday, 9:15 pm
Place: Via Zoom
Contact: Diana Shellenberger, diana.shellenberger@gmail.com
BRAND NEW GROUPS STARTING IN FEBRUARY
BOOK DISCUSSION
The book “ Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth “ by the talented writer Reza Aslan has been widely heralded as an inviting (if controversial) dive into the question of the divinity of the man Jesus of Nazareth. This work by Aslan suggests that Jesus was a political, rebellious and eschatological Jew whose proclamation of the coming kingdom of God was a call for regime change that would end Roman hegemony over Judea and end a corrupt and oppressive aristocratic priesthood.
This winter, Kevin Pettit will lead a discussion group of this book using the web tool Zoom . The group will meet 7 times, once for a background introduction to the man Jesus and his times, with no prior reading required or expected, and the remaining 6 meetings will each be devoted to discussions of a few chapters of the book. While each week we meet, questions will be provided to participants that have been elicited by the upcoming assigned reading, one of the continuing discussion questions that we will consider is this: “ What is the relationship between Jesus of Nazareth (the man) and the Christ of faith?” .
Date and Time: Mondays, beginning February 1st, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Place: Zoom
Contact: Kevin Pettit, kevin.pettit@comcast.net
Lent Centering Prayer Group
An online Centering Prayer small group will be offered during the season of Lent. Centering Prayer is a contemplative prayer of silence. We will meet on Thursday evenings, 5:30-6:30 p.m., beginning on February 18, and continuing until March 25, at which time we will decide how we might want to continue in the future. There will be time to learn about Centering Prayer, practice it for about 20 minutes of silence, and then reflect on our experiences. Beginners are welcome.
Date and Time: Thursday evenings, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Place: Zoom
Contact: Bob von Trebra trebra@comcast.net; Phone 801-641-7019
Human Rights for Palestinians
Human Rights for Palestinians meets by Zoom at 7 PM for one hour the 1st Tuesday of each month to learn about the current situation in Palestine and to learn what we can do to advocate.
Barbara Hanst bhanst@gmail.com Phone 720.667.8321
CLICK HERE IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ADDITIONAL SMALL GROUPS AND MINISTRIES OPTIONS
