SMALL GROUPS

GROWING TOGETHER BY GRACE

"Solitary religion is not to be found there. “Holy Solitaries” is a phrase no more consistent with the gospel than Holy Adulterers. The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love, is the length and breadth and depth and height of Christian perfection." - John Wesley

If you hang around Methodism long enough, you will probably hear the phrase, "social holiness." Since the beginning of the Methodist movement - which started in 18th century England, led by John Wesley - connection and living out our faith together has been a core part of our identity. Even outside observers credited the success of early Methodism to our ability to connect people into small discipleship communities where they could "watch over one another in love."

Simply put, social holiness means that the context of our life with God is community. Sharing your journey with people you have come to trust - people who are on the journey with you - is a deeply transformative experience. Perhaps this is why we see Jesus spending his ministry with 12 disciples, often retreating from the crowds to be alone with this small group.

As we build this community in Southeast Guilford County, this connection - to each other and to God through the Holy Spirit - will be our backbone as we follow Jesus together and share God's deep and healing love with our community.

We have two in-person small groups meeting each week, and we invite and encourage you to be a part of one of those groups if you can. They meet:

Monday Afternoons / 1-2:30pm / Joan's home on Davis Mill Rd with lunch

Wednesday Mornings / 9-10:30am / Patricia & Terry's home on NC-62 (Julian) with coffee and snacks

PURPLE CHURCH: BEING PEOPLE OF PEACE

Perhaps you have noticed that we have an election coming up. As you have probably noticed, the rhetoric around politics and so many other things in our communities, nation, and yes, our churches, has become increasingly divisive.

In divided times, the Gospel calls us to be people of peace. Join us through October in our small groups (find details above) as we break down dividing walls, find harmony and humility, and foster conversations across the aisle.

The church has an opportunity in this season to resist joining the milieu of division but rather bear witness to the power of deep and meaningful relationships in a community where ALL people are of sacred worth, safe, and growing toward spiritual, physical, and emotional wholeness.

Can't make it to one of our small group times, but interested in participating in the conversation? Contact Andrew and we'll see if there's interest in some sort of online conversation.

UNITED WOMEN IN FAITH

The newly organized Southeast Guilford United Women in Faith unit meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 2:00pm at the Julian Lions Clubhouse. Women (and men) are invited as we learn, serve, and fellowship together. To learn more, call Patricia Shoffner, president, at 336-685-4342 or email at pafshoffner@gmail.com.