Small
Groups
You
Can't Practice God's Love Alone
There is
no more important way to get connected at All Saints' than to become
part of a small group of people who get together -- generally once
a week, or once every two weeks -- to get to know each other, share
their lives (and perhaps a meal), discuss, study, question, pray together,
encourage one another and offer support through good times and bad.
The bonds that form and the growth that comes are so important that
followers of Jesus have been meeting together this way since the earliest
days of the Church.
Community
Happens
People
familiar with Alpha-Beta-Covenant have tasted the supportive,
challenging, growth-encouraging community that can develop
when a small group of people share their spiritual journeys.
Making a commitment to a small group offers the same authenticity,
sharing, and sustenance, without being limited by the few short
weeks of a class. In a busy, large church like All Saints'
-- in a busy, large city like LA -- joining a small group provides
an anchor: a manageable set of people where real connection
is possible on a personal level. In the midst of a hectic week,
many of us count on our small group meeting as a time to refocus
on what really matters -- loving God and loving our neighbor.
“My
small group has been my lifeline this year. Without
them, I would not have been able to get through all
my surgeries." - Nancy Traina
Something
for Everyone
There
are many variations on the small group theme, and one of them
is bound to be a good fit with your interests, your availability,
and your spiritual journey. Some groups share supper, some
meet at the crack of dawn over coffee (or a run on the beach);
some study the Bible or another book together, some focus on
prayer, some set off to get involved in ministry as a team.
Groups include people who are single and partnered, straight
and gay, parents, men, women, people of varying ages -- and
various combinations of all of the above. A few groups meet
at the church, but most meet in homes scattered across the
65 zip codes where the people of All Saints' live. Once you
fill out a profile with your location, preferences, availability,
and interests, we will match you up with the right group of
people to form a new group (or, from time to time, to fill
an opening in an existing group).
"We
have all sorts and kinds of people meeting in all sorts
and kinds of small groups at All Saints'. From groups
of people that read together to groups of people that
run together to groups of people that knit together
to groups of people that pray together, there is a
group for you at All Saints'."
No
Previous Experience Necessary
Everyone
ready to take the next step in getting connected will want
to make becoming part of a small group a top priority. If you
have never done such a thing, you are in for a wonderful surprise.
Community takes work -- it means time, commitment, and that
perilous process of knowing and becoming known -- but the rewards
are great and lasting. First, you find yourself growing. Then,
you notice you are having an impact on others in your group
-- encouraging them, offering support, praying for them. Before
long, you may find that your small group wants to reach out
in ministry -- using the resources of love, care, and spiritual
connectedness that have grown up within the group to make a
difference beyond it. No previous experience is necessary --
but the experience itself is unforgettable.
“I
feel like on Sundays at church we learn math, but on
Tuesdays with my small group, I learn how to balance
my checkbook." - Glenn German
Two
ways to get started:
1.
Fill out the following form, click "Submit Form," and
Heather will contact you soon; OR
2. contact The Rev. Maryetta Anschutz: 310-275-0123 x710 or manschutz@allsaintsbh.org.
Our Vision is A world transformed
by Jesus. Our Mission Statement
is To become disciples who make disciples through Christ. |