Bethany Community Church

Thank you for considering facilitating a Bethany Community Group! Our goal with Community Groups is to continue moving people toward becoming more fully devoted followers of Christ while increasing their sense of connection to the larger church community.

Groups will take place in a 10-12 week period (meeting either weekly or bi-weekly).

• September, January, and May are the promotional months for each trimester.
• Groups begin October, February, and June.

To discuss or submit a group idea, contact Nancy Eckardt.

Group Facilitators will:

• be members of Bethany Community Church. The Foundations Membership Class will be offered prior to the beginning of each trimester.
• identify and encourage at least one other individual/couple from within their group who might be able to facilitate future groups.
• participate in Bethany’s quarterly leadership gatherings.
• strive to create an environment that is inviting, supportive, and oriented toward people growing in their faith and connection to the community.
• provide a description of their group to be included in the Community Group Catalog which will be distributed during the promotional months (examples provided below).
• contact each group member at some point during the quarter outside the context of the group. Again, our goal is to help people grow in their faith, discover their gifts, and connect with the community.
• incorporate an element of service into your group. For ideas or resources, contact Nancy Eckardt.

Group Descriptions

Your group description in the Community Groups Catalog is how people will connect with your group.  As such, please be informative, creative, and persuasive.  Help people understand what they’ll get from the group and why they’d enjoy participating in it.
The next deadline to submit group descriptions will be Mar. 30, 2012. Then the Community Group catalog will be distributed in May, with groups starting in June.
To discuss or submit a group idea, contact Nancy Eckardt.

Sample Group Descriptions:

Biking the Burke Activity Group starting Oct. 4
Everyone
Saturdays, 10am-12pm (bi-weekly)                                   Leader: John Smith
Dust off the bike in your garage and join us in Wallingford for morning rides.  Our leader will take us on moderate routes (10-30mi) that will be full of beautiful scenery and (mostly) void of cars. We will have occasional bike maintenance demonstrations, and depending on interest, we will plan a trip through the orchards and farm lands of Washington’s wine country.

The Giving Tree Service Group starting Oct. 8
Everyone
Wednesdays, 3-4pm (weekly)                                               Leader: Dave & Jill Doe
Join us for an hour after school as we tutor 30 students from local elementary schools. We will spend time reading together and helping with homework. It is our hope that our students will find encouragement, excel in their studies, and grow in confidence.  Through this endeavor, we hope to build relationships with local families, and in December, we will help organize the annual Bethany Giving Tree.

Ephesians Study Group starting Oct. 13
Women
Mondays, 6:30-8:30pm (weekly)                                       Leader: Kristin Stewart
The Apostle Paul sent a call to Christian maturity to a young church needing a fuller knowledge of Christ. His letter to the Ephesians carries priceless truths about our new identity in Christ and our special calling in His body.  We will explore the book’s historical context, purpose, and meaning as we discuss how to apply its powerful wisdom.  To help us get into the context we’ll also try our hand at making Mediterranean food, with each person bringing something one week.

Community Groups