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Happy July! Between summer picnics and family reunions, BBQs and kids' camps, this time of year always makes me grateful for community and gets me thinking about different types of communities. Recently I read a book entitled Community Is Messy, by Heather Zempel. The author says community is messy because it involves people, and people are messy. I'd say that is exactly why we need community - because we are messy! She goes on to say that small groups have two characteristics: they are relational and they are transformational. Yep, those things are usually messy. But that's the cool part, because GroupLife enable us to love and to improve the messes around us. So enjoy some messy BBQ sauce and messy ice cream this summer. And be grateful for messes together!
Blessings, Kim Jones
GroupLife Chair
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Leadership Changes
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July 1 marks the start of a new year of appointments in the United Methodist Church. This year was particularly significant for GroupLife, as we have a change in our leadership. Pastor Debbie, who has been minister of discipleship and overseeing GroupLife since its launch in 2012, is now called to be our minister of community engagement. We thank her for her years of service to GroupLife and wish her well in her new role! We also welcome Pastor Samantha (Sam) Lewis as our new minister of young adults, and she will now be overseeing GroupLife. She has experience with small groups in her previous roles, and we are excited to see what God does next through her. Feel free to invite her to a group event so you can get to know her! July 1 was also the end of Kristen Wandryk's one-year internship for GroupLife. We are especially grateful to her for leading GroupLife for youth, and we are exploring ways for that to continue and expand.
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August Events
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While August may still seem like summer, it is a key month for GroupLife to ramp up for fall. Please take note of these events and share them with your groups: August 7: Pastor Mariellen and GroupLife Chairperson Kim Jones have a dialogue sermon about "(How) Should We Live Together?" based on Colossians 3:12-17. August 14: Information sessions between worship services for anyone interested in being a host this fall. Please invite folks you know who might be interested in starting a group to stop by in the Redwood Room to find out more. August 27: GroupLife Workshop & Kickoff Rally, 9:00am - 12:00 noon, Creekside. Gather with other hosts to be equipped and inspired about our fall season. Be nourished literally and spiritually! Get your materials for our Love Does theme this fall.
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Order Love Does Materials Now
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Join the entire LAUMC congregation and community in our fall theme, Love Does. In addition to the inspiring book, there is a five-session video study and study guide. Books are available for $10 each in the church office and will be made more widely available in August/September. Please encourage your group members to purchase their own book or Kindle version. However, GroupLife will be providing free videos and study guides for group hosts who are doing this study. Please let us know if you need the DVD and study guide so we can order an appropriate number. Email Kim Jones with your request.
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Spoiler Alert: Compassion Week/GroupLife
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We are thrilled to be collaborating with Compassion Week this year and sharing the Love Does theme in both our GroupLife curriculum and Compassion Week. Small groups will have the opportunity to sign up early (at the end of August) for Compassion Week projects, before registration opens to the general church and public. Thanks for being in prayer about how your group could participate - doing a project together is so much fun, deepens relationships, and makes for common shared experiences and growth. We strongly encourage you to do a project together (most projects will be the first week of October). Stay tuned; more sign-up details will be coming next month.
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Thanks for Being in Prayer
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We appreciate your prayers for this fall with Love Does, staff transitions, new hosts, and Compassion Week opportunities. Let's pray that new people engage, that people engage newly, and that lives are changed.
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