A different kind of Sunday School discussion

​DOWN TO EARTH, YET STAR GAZING
The Sunday morning discussion group meeting in the conference room off the GREAT Room each Sunday at 9:15 am is forging forward toward 2019! Even if you haven't joined the group before or if it's been a while since you attended, you are invited to meet with the group for some "big talk" (as opposed to just "small talk") about how each of us can grow and guide others in the Love of God and community through meaningful, intentional relationships and personal development.

Moving forward, this group will be identified as the "Earth & Stars" for several reasons:

1. It's too complicated to call it the discussion group that meets every Sunday in the conference room off the parlor now named the Great Room.
2. The discussions focus on keeping our eyes on heaven and a relationship with God while working here on the ground  to show His love to all people. Simply put, our goal is always, "Love God. Love People."
3. As stated best by the Serbian proverb, "Be humble for you are made of Earth. Be noble for you are made of stars" our group recognizes the great majesty in ALL people being made in God's image while recognizing with humility our calling to get our hands dirty and consider ourselves better than no one as we seek to love all others regardless of their circumstances, histories, or identities.

As an example of our discussions, for the past several weeks, the group has focused on the first topic in a four-part series called SEASONS OF SELF-CARE. The first topic was on the theme of Autumn as a time for Letting Go; a time to move past an obstacle in our lives that may be preventing our continued growth as disciples. Even if you haven't joined us for these discussions, you can still participate in future ones.  As we concluded in October, everyone was given the same charge: through prayer, mindfulness, contemplation, and any strategy that works for you, identify an answer to the following question: Is there something in your life inhibiting your continued growth or interfering with the stewardship of your gifts? What in your life (physical/emotional/mental/spiritual) do you need to let go of?

The SEASONS OF SELF-CARE discussion will resume in the New Year, but in the meantime, our group has many great topics coming up that EVERYONE is welcome to join us for!

Mark your calendars:

• November  4-- All Saints Sunday Discussion: TED Talk around the topic of grieving (led by Pastor Tracey)
• November  11-- Veterans Day/Post-Election Sunday Discussion: "Re-Examining Separation of Church and State in Today's Political Climate"
• November 18-- Thanksgiving Discussion: TED Talk around the topic of “Remember to Say Thank You" (led by Pastor Tracey)
• November 25-- NO SUNDAY SCHOOL -- Happy Thanksgiving!
• December 2018: Advent/Christmas Discussions
• January 2019 -- Seasons of Self-Care: Winter -- Gathering Strength
  

Childcare is always available downstairs and refreshments are provided. Please join us!
Jeremy Grossman, Discipleship Ministries​