We believe now is the time to lean into our mission priority to “Grow opportunities for deeper relationships and spiritual growth beyond our Sunday Gathering.”
Offering opportunities to build closer relationships is more important than ever. America’s “epidemic of loneliness” has only been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic. While clinical research shows that religious attendance is good for both mental and physical well being, huge numbers of Americans are increasingly abandoning religious community, and nearly 1/3 of them cite bigotry toward LGBTQ people as a primary reason.
SO MANY PEOPLE AROUND US LONG FOR A SPACE WHERE THEY CAN TAKE JESUS SERIOUSLY, BUILD MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS, FIND CARE FOR THEIR SOULS, AND IMPACT URGENT SOCIAL NEEDS WITHOUT BEING INDOCTRINATED TO BIGOTED VIEWS OF WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR, OR LGBTQ PERSONS.
Toward this goal, we are soft-launching our new community groups with fall “dinner and dialogue” gatherings in October and November, hosted by members of OSC (just like you!). These groups will be a great opportunity to build closer relationships and learn to have safe, open conversations about how the teachings of Jesus relate to our lives.
Here’s how these groups will work:
Volunteer hosts will gather people in-person in their homes OR online over Zoom for a shared meal.
The group will meet three times between the beginning of October and the end of November, according to whatever schedule works best for the group.
Volunteer facilitators will use a series of three discussion guides designed to spark inspiring and meaningful discussion about Jesus’ teachings.
We are looking for volunteers to host and facilitate! We will:
Provide you with all discussion materials
Train you how to host and facilitate
If you are willing to be a host or facilitator this fall, sign up below!