If you are looking for ways to draw closer to people in the church community, to nourish your heart and spirit, and to engage your mind in stimulating conversation, our small group ministry program may be for you. Each small group consists of 6-10 people who meet regularly to share and listen around a variety of topics.
The thing that sets a Small Group Ministry apart from other types of meetings is the format of sharing. Each member shares in turn, uninterrupted and without immediate response from others. This type of sharing allows people to speak more freely and listen more deeply to others.
Some groups meet on zoom and some meet in person. Some groups are led by one or two consistent facilitators and some rotate facilitation. Some make use of a monthly guide sent out by Rev. Annie that contains readings and questions, and others bring their own materials. Groups might meet once a month for 90 minutes or might choose to meet more regularly or for longer amounts of time.
Please direct questions to Rev. Annie Gonzalez, our Minister of Faith Development.
How Can I Join a Small Group?
There are three ways to become part of a small group ministry at First Parish:
- Join one of our temporary groups that forms each year in the fall and meets November – April.
- Join an existing small group that is looking for new members.
- Create your own group outside of the annual temporary groups program.
The temporary groups are formed by Rev. Annie and meet monthly for 6 months, either on zoom or in person. Anyone can join one of these groups by signing up in the fall. These groups can choose to continue past April if members feel connected and interested or can simply end in the spring.
The existing groups are groups that meet in an ongoing fashion. When one of these groups has an opening due to someone in their group leaving the group, they will make this opening known to the congregation. Sometimes these groups are for a specific demographic (dads, moms of teens/young adults, retirees, men) and sometimes these groups are for anyone.
If you are hoping to form a new small group or have an idea for a group that would form around a specific interest or demographic, contact Rev. Annie and she can support you with this endeavor.