Small group gatherings provide a way for people to get to know one another on a deeper level. These different groups offer a way to support one another in faith and life.
Environmental Issues Group
In June of ’21, a small group formed to discuss environmental issues. Using the book, Cathedral On Fire, a Church Handbook for the Climate Crisis by Brooks Berndt, the group met weekly over Zoom to discuss the book, chapter by chapter. If you are interested in learning more about this group, contact Edd Sewell: 540-641-1714 / [email protected]
Radical Conversations & Bible Study
Saturday mornings at 11:00 on Zoom or outside in the church pavilion
Radical Conversations (RadCon) is an adult discussion group that studies and talks about how faith speaks to current events in today’s society. They use the Bible, videos, books, music and other media to inform the conversations. This is a safe place for all perspectives, and questioning is encouraged and welcomed!
In Radical Conversations and Bible Study, members suggest discussion topics and lead or co-lead the discussions. Some words that have been used to describe RadCon are seek, listen, question, grow, [and] acceptance of others’ viewpoints. We constantly ask, how do I (or we as a group) practice love, acceptance, welcoming, listening to and with others, whose views may be quite different from our own?
Everyone is welcome! For more information about Saturday morning RadCon and Bible Study, contact Edd Sewell: [email protected] / 540-641-1714
Women’s Book Group
During COVID, we meet via Zoom, and a Zoom link is sent out a few days prior to the meeting.The book group meets every third Monday night, from 7 – 9 p.m. to discuss a book from across genres and topics. Each person can volunteer to choose a book and lead the discussion. Not only do we read together, but we have a time at the beginning of each gathering to check in with each other about our lives.
Glade Adventure/Outings Group
This group periodically takes fun excursions to things like museums, festivals such as Oktoberfest, restaurants, art shows, local places of interest, state parks,and restaurants. For more information, contact David Taylor: [email protected]
Racial Justice Conversations
In May 2020, a group was formed to learn more about what white privilege means and how it affects us as individuals, as a community, and as a country. We used a United Church of Christ curriculum for six weeks to guide us in meaningful conversations that probed our own views and revealed how white privilege pervades every part of life in our country. After the six weeks, we began engaging in conversations with people of color in our community willing to share their experiences with us. Later, the group began reading a book a month centering on black experiences and anti-racism. We are currently meeting once a month via Zoom. For more information, send an email to [email protected]
Wednesday Zoom Gathering
During the pandemic, we are gathering on Wednesdays at 10:00 for a time of fellowship to catch up with one another and some time to focus on our faith. Sometimes we read scripture or a poem, listen to music, or ponder different parts of our spiritual lives and how we live our faith in the world. Everyone is welcome to join us whenever you can make it! For more information, send an email to [email protected].
Gentle Yoga
Jean Elliott offers gentle flow yoga classes with a focus on breathing and body awareness via Zoom on Thursdays from 5:30-6:40 pm. A registered and certified hatha yoga teacher since 2016, Jean specializes in working with seniors. The charge is $5 per class. For more information, contact her directly at [email protected] and put “yoga class” in the subject line. The first class is free!
One-hour Meditation Sessions, Once a Week on Zoom
Are you interested in experiencing relaxation and learning more about maintaining inner peace in your day-to-day life? Sarthak Gupta, a PhD student at Virginia Tech, will share knowledge about some universal spiritual concepts that the group will discuss before entering into a time of guided meditation. (via Zoom) For more information, contact Sarthak directly at [email protected] and put “meditation Glade Church” in the subject line.