Small Group: A Connection To Something Much Larger

by Rod MacDonald

Being a relatively new member of this congregation, I was curious about the importance and impact of its small groups.  So I decided to find out about the one of which I am a member.

Our group doesn't have a name, though someone thought that it had a designation of "Group B" years ago.  It has been around since the late 70's originally meeting at Chuck Olson's house.  For the past 10-15 years it has met at the Campbells’ home.  Our current members are our hosts Bill and Marilyn Campbell, Mary Russell, Rod & Leila MacDonald, Nancy Day and our leader Joan Dills St. Clair.  There is always room for one more!

Our format is simple, though a foundation for things much larger.  We start with coffee and conversation, then some hymn singing, an hour or so of study, moments of sharing personal situations and end with prayer.  Almost everyone has identified studying of books or scriptures and sharing of personal situations as the most important.

Over the years, the group has studied diverse subjects. These include a series on the Messiah, books of the Bible, Beatitudes and an inductive study of the Bible.  Recently, the study has been varied, ranging from a book on the origins and formation of the Bible to Martin Luther King's "Letter from the Birmingham Jail."  The latter was studied not only for its content, but also as a future possibility for being added to an open canon!

Currently, we are reading "The Four Witnesses" by Robin Griffith-Jones, a minister with the Anglican Church.  This is a book about why the Gospels present strikingly different visions of Jesus.  Thought-provoking study of Christian religious books, searching and studying the Bible have been valuable connecting tools to other religious endeavors.  Some members talk of spiritual growth, others about knowledge and insights gained and in turn sharing all of these in other responsibilities within the church.

The sharing time has proven to be a safe and loving place to explore our joys, sorrows, our achievements and failures, our concerns and "wonderings."  It is as though we are on common ground, a sacred place protected by trust, confidentiality and Christ's loving arms.  One member says this time of supporting each other not only helps in personal and spiritual growth, but it is also the connection to the "people side of the church."  It is an outstanding source for strength in our busy, stress-filled working lives as well.

One last connection, my own!  As a newcomer, had I not been invited to join this group, I'd still be curious about small groups and their impact, and my relationship to this church and its people would certainly be very much less than it is today.  Perhaps there is a lesson here for all of us as we welcome new members.  Small groups are a wonderful way to become more fully involved in the life of the church and its places beyond this world.      

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