Community Groups (CGs) are at the heart of our life together, connecting and holding us—now more than ever—in a time of disconnection. Through the gift and grace of community, we receive and give loving care, encouragement, and support for life’s journey. Here we are invited to be and become our authentic selves. As we share our stories, even as we do so from Zoom squares, we more clearly see God’s story intersecting with our own and explore where God is calling us—individually and as a community—to move outward serving others in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and beyond.
COMMUNITY GROUPS FOR LENT
Looking to connect, get better acquainted, and share a bit of life with others in our community? Community Groups (CGs) during Lent offer just this opportunity!
FEBRUARY 21– MARCH 28 (6 weeks)
Lenten Theme: Selah
Various day, times on Zoom
- For more information please contact Janet Sanders, Director for Christian Formation, at janets@fpcberkeley.org
Throughout the six weeks of Lent, new and on-going Community Groups gather to share the 40-day journey to Easter. This year our Lenten experience invites us to pause—to practice a holy pause, Selah—before God and listen more intently to the voice of the One who calls us beloved. Together, in worship and in community, we dwell the words of psalmist and learn from Jesus to give voice to the full range of our humanity, live authentically before God, and deepen our practice and experience of prayer in community. Our time together is guided by weekly, sermon-based Questions for Reflection & Practice
OPEN DOOR COMMUNITY GROUP
SUNDAYS
11:15 AM–12:30 PM on Zoom
To receive our weekly email with Zoom access, visit the Open Door Community Group.
Our door is always open! The Open Door Community Group welcomes anyone interested in a time of connection, prayer, and conversation following the Sunday worship service. We use the weekly Questions for Reflection based on the Sunday message to guide our discussion.
SERVING TOGETHER DURING LENT
One of our primary ways of embodying the mission of First Pres and growing together as a CG is to serve alongside our mission partners who extend God’s grace and mercy to those in need in our East Bay communities and throughout the world. There are many ways to safely serve, including praying for our mission partners.
Learn how your CG can serve together safely during Lent.
What To Expect
Community Groups are a place for exploration and growth in a safe and accepting environment. We embrace values and practices that build up and deepen our life together in community as stated in our Community Group Covenant.
Conversations in our CGs are guided by Questions for Reflection (see the sidebar) based on Sunday’s message from the current sermon series. These are available for download on Fridays preceding the Sunday message.
More information about Community Groups: Janet Sanders, Director for Christian Formation, at janets@fpcberkeley.org.
Resources for CG Leaders
Our Community Groups team is here to support and resource all of our Community Groups and their leaders. Here are some ways we can help:
- Keep you informed of upcoming equipping events where we cover such topics as insights from upcoming sermon series upon which our discussions are based, honing facilitation skills, having difficult conversations, using our online CG Directory and more.
- Interested in starting a Community Group or adding more members to your existing group? We can help with that too!
- Please contact Janet Sanders, Director for Christian Formation, at janets@fpcberkeley.org
JOIN A COMMUNITY GROUP
Search our Community Group directory and register
Learn more about Adult Communities and Classes at First Pres
“Our community group is a loving place where we know we are listened to and cared for by those with whom we have shared so many life experiences over the years. In this isolating time of COVID, our Community Group has helped us feel connected to people who truly care about us and who share our love of Jesus.”
Steve and Linda
