Connecting With Others in the Community

Here at First Presbyterian, many of us gather in small Covenant and Fellowship groups to practice discipleship as the Body of Christ. Through these groups, we study and learn, pray and grow spiritually, share our lives, and carry out the Church’s mission.

• Covenant groups include elements of mission, study, prayer and life-sharing, and also expect committed attendance for a covenanted time period. Groups vary as to when they accept new members; please contact leaders if you’d like to check out a group. 
 
• Fellowship groups offer opportunities for community and study at First Pres, but are appropriate for drop-in attendance. Support groups include fellowship and life-sharing, but not all the elements of a Covenant group.

• SACRED meals offer chances to spend time together and get to know each at a deeper level. Adults and families meet for a meal in groups of 6 or 8, perhaps 4 times during  the year.  These groups started in Fall, 2010.  Questions?  Contact Joy Sleizer.

Below are the groups currently available. There are always new groups forming–so come back to this page often! For general information about Small Groups Ministries, or to suggest a new group, contact the Elder for Community Building, Joy Sleizer. If you don’t know how to reach the folks listed here, call the church office at 650-325-5659.

Covenant Groups

Group	Description	Leader(s)	Meeting Time	Location
Base Christian Community	Early morning book discussions	Jim Hewlett	Wednesdays 8:00-9:30am	A member’s home (contact leader)
Cool Planet Working Group	Explore what it means to be an EarthCare Congregation in a time of climate change	Shirley Eglington	FIrst Sundays, 11:45am	Church Lounge
Faith Issues in Film	Watch chosen films on DVD at home, then meet to discuss issues raised about faith, ethics, or social justice. Film reviews	Ellen Forbes, Jeff Grinnell, Shirley Eglington	3rd Tuesdays Sep-Nov, Jan-May, 7:15-9:15pm	A member’s home (contact leader)
JustFaith Engaging Spirituality	A spiritually deepening process that invites us to explore the intersection between contemplative presence and social action	Nan Swanson, Ann Teegardin	Friday ams, 9:30-12, Sep ’10-Mar’11	Church Lounge
Parenting Youth	Families exploring how to raise youth in healthy, expanding and spiritual ways	Susan Phinney-Silver	2nd and 4th Sundays, 5-7pm	Church Lounge
Parents, Friends and Children	Picnic, sharing, support for families. "It takes a community to raise a child."	Arlene Schaupp	One Sunday per month, after worship	Varies. Contact leader.

 updated August 2011

Fellowship and other Support Groups

Group	Description	Leader(s)	Meeting Times	Location
Prime Timers	Informal conversations over bag lunches plus a program with a speaker.	Don Fidler	2nd Tuesdays, noon – 2pm	Church lounge or Fellowship Hall
First Pres Hikers	Moderate (3-4 hour) hikes in Bay Area parks known for their wildflower displays	Julie Barney, Don Hildenbrand	Click here for 2011 schedule	Varies. Contact leaders
Men’s Support Group	Supports members in their personal, family and professional lives. Self-led.	David Mineau	Sundays, 8-10am	Westminster House
Prayer Support Group	Potluck, sharing, support, discussion of Christian faith, prayer	Arlene Schaupp	One Sunday per month, 6-8:30pm	Schaupp home

 updated December 2011