Opening Your Heart

Opening Your Heart

In April, our church will begin its small group program, "Opening Your Heart." You might ask, Why is he telling us this now?  I am telling you now because I am hoping for wide participation in "Opening the Heart," across the church, among our members and friends.  If you know about our small groups program now, you can begin to make your plans now.  So, please read on. 

In a nutshell, here it is as currently envisioned by myself and members of our church's leadership team:

Purpose:  "Opening Your Heart" will be an "all-church study" designed to help you develop your faith and learn to talk about your faith with others.  In our small groups we will pray and talk about our faith experiences with one another.  Our small groups will energize us as we experience intimate community and begin to see how God interacts with us in community.  In our small groups we will explore how to speak with our friends about our faith.  Further, the small groups will give you a place to "hang your hat" within our church community, a small community of spiritual friends who will walk the walk of faith and life with you.  

How:  In March you will be asked to sign up for a small group.  On March 8th we will have a special service of worship introducing "Opening Your Heart." This will begin our "sign up" period. Some of the small groups will be formed out of the current boards and committees that currently meet in our church.  Other small groups will be formed from scratch.  

When:  Our small group study groups will meet for 6 weeks beginning in April.  Each group will meet once a week. Meeting times will be worked out to include as many of us as possible.  In addition, there will be at home prayer opportunities made available to you for a daily time of prayer. During the six weeks of "Opening Your Heart," there will be no meetings of official boards of the church.  "Opening Your Heart" is a chance for the First Congregational United Church of Christ to go on Sabbatical -- setting aside for growth in faith and community.

What's Happening Now:  Currently, the "Opening Your Heart" Leadership Team is being formed. These are your friends and fellow church members who have volunteered to help with the formation of our small group program. They will be guiding the process as we move forward.   

Opening Your Heart is a tremendous opportunity to grow in faith in community.  It is a wonderful opportunity to get to know some of your fellow church members very well. Through "Opening the  Heart" I am hoping that we will become more fully the church we already are -- faithful, caring, with strong community and outreach.  

Blessings, 

David