What is a Small
Group?
It’s a small group of people. See? Simple! The longer and less
sarcastic answer is that Small Groups are a group of 10-12 people who meet once
a week for 6 weeks for book discussion, fellowship, and Christian
formation. Sounds intriguing, right? You want to be part of a small
group, don’t you?
What books are
being discussed?
Bishop Reuben Job’s books Three
Simple Questions & Three
Simple Rules. They sound like Jesus rule books, but they are
not.
How do I become
part of a small group?
Fill out a green form located at the Small Group table, in your bulletin, or
online:
https://docs.google.com/spread
sheet/viewform?formkey=dHg5S2
VsQ1BWUFVYWlhvcWpBbi11OHc6MQ)
Place the green form in one of the designated baskets located in the Great
Hall, next to the southeast Sanctuary entrance, and in the foyer of The Open
Door. Or, give the form to the Small Group Table in the Gathering Place
and in the foyer of the Buskirk-Chumley. Or, turn it in to the Church
Office. There are lots of options!
What happens
after I turn in my green form?
Fireworks go off from the top of the bell tower of FUMC every time someone
joins a small group. Ok, not really, but it would be a grand celebration.You will
be placed in a group based on the preferences you specified on your sign-up
sheet. Then, your small group facilitator will contact you with the necessary
information about the time and place your group will meet.
What if I’m
already in a small group?
“Fill out a green form anyway you will!” Yoda commands it.
When do small
groups begin meeting?
The week of September 9th.
Where do I
purchase the books?
In the Church Office or, of course, you can purchase an electronic version
yourself.
One more item of note . . . the sermon theme will match your small group’s
weekly discussion topic. Continuity. Multi-faceted learning.
Rad.
So, the real question is, how soon will you be joining a small group?!
If you have any other questions or need further convincing to join a small
group, do not hesitate to contact me!
Cheers!
Rev. Stacee :)
Friday, August 31, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
LISTENING
Last Sunday, Jubilee had a booth at Faith Fest, an annual IU event where
different faith groups on campus set up tables and new students stop by to see
which group they might like to be a part of. There are probably 20 booths
arranged in a large circle and students just sort of wander around, stopping by
some booths but not others…avoiding eye contact at some booths…tentatively picking
up a pamphlet or a piece of candy at a different booth…
You can see the hesitation and unease on these young faces as they walk from booth to booth…will these people like me? Will we have something in common? Is this that scary kind of Christian group (whatever that means!)?
We want to feel safe. To feel accepted.
To know that we are loved.
Our Jubilee student interns (Kaylee, Laura, and Sarah), were absolute pros at making people feel safe, and accepted. They didn’t start with a pitch, or a mission statement, or by shoving pamphlets at students...just a simple, "Hi, my name’s Kaylee…what’s yours?"
"Where are you from?"
"How do you like IU so far?"
"What are you majoring in?"
And then…they would listen.
Really listen.
The students would open up, let down their walls, and just have a conversation. Eventually, when asked, our interns would tell them that Jubilee was an authentic and inclusive Christ-centered community in the United Methodist tradition. They’d let the student know that we meet every Wednesday night at 7:30 at the Bloomington Sandwich Company for a free meal and then a discussion, worship, and hanging out. When asked what we’re all about, the interns would reply, "We’re about community…and connections. We do a lot of things, but, really, it’s about being a community of faith."
After watching Laura (one of our interns) have her first conversation, I was in awe. It was so genuine, and she was able to make a real connection! People can spot a salesman from a mile away…but people can also spot someone who takes the time to listen, and who genuinely cares.
"Wow! How did you do that? That was awesome!" I asked her.
Without dropping a beat, in the most sarcastic tone she replies, "Do what? Listen to someone? It’s what we do, Travis."
Wise words. May we be a community that listens and that listens well, to God and to each other.
The next two weeks, please wear your Jubilee t-shirts in worship on Sunday. If you see a college student or young adult, say hello, introduce yourself, and then listen. Finally, if you meet or know of someone who might be interested in Jubilee, let us know…we would love to contact them.
I don’t think a single student has ever contacted us when someone gave them our information, but when we reach out ourselves, they’re usually really happy to get together and grab a cup of coffee. So, it’s much more hospitable if we can reach out to them rather than asking them to email some tall guy they’ve never met before!
Love wins,
T & D
PS – We’ve got a new website! www.jubileebloomington.org
You can see the hesitation and unease on these young faces as they walk from booth to booth…will these people like me? Will we have something in common? Is this that scary kind of Christian group (whatever that means!)?
We want to feel safe. To feel accepted.
To know that we are loved.
Our Jubilee student interns (Kaylee, Laura, and Sarah), were absolute pros at making people feel safe, and accepted. They didn’t start with a pitch, or a mission statement, or by shoving pamphlets at students...just a simple, "Hi, my name’s Kaylee…what’s yours?"
"Where are you from?"
"How do you like IU so far?"
"What are you majoring in?"
And then…they would listen.
Really listen.
The students would open up, let down their walls, and just have a conversation. Eventually, when asked, our interns would tell them that Jubilee was an authentic and inclusive Christ-centered community in the United Methodist tradition. They’d let the student know that we meet every Wednesday night at 7:30 at the Bloomington Sandwich Company for a free meal and then a discussion, worship, and hanging out. When asked what we’re all about, the interns would reply, "We’re about community…and connections. We do a lot of things, but, really, it’s about being a community of faith."
After watching Laura (one of our interns) have her first conversation, I was in awe. It was so genuine, and she was able to make a real connection! People can spot a salesman from a mile away…but people can also spot someone who takes the time to listen, and who genuinely cares.
"Wow! How did you do that? That was awesome!" I asked her.
Without dropping a beat, in the most sarcastic tone she replies, "Do what? Listen to someone? It’s what we do, Travis."
Wise words. May we be a community that listens and that listens well, to God and to each other.
The next two weeks, please wear your Jubilee t-shirts in worship on Sunday. If you see a college student or young adult, say hello, introduce yourself, and then listen. Finally, if you meet or know of someone who might be interested in Jubilee, let us know…we would love to contact them.
I don’t think a single student has ever contacted us when someone gave them our information, but when we reach out ourselves, they’re usually really happy to get together and grab a cup of coffee. So, it’s much more hospitable if we can reach out to them rather than asking them to email some tall guy they’ve never met before!
Love wins,
T & D
PS – We’ve got a new website! www.jubileebloomington.org
Friday, August 17, 2012
GETTING THE WORDS RIGHT (IS JUST THE BEGINNING)
Have you ever done your best to get ready for travel in a foreign
country by preparing yourself to speak their language? Several years ago
we were headed off on a Lilly-sponsored Sabbatical. We would be spending
one week with German friends in a small town outside Stuttgart. Then, we
were going to spend a week outside Lucca, Italy with the entire family.
I picked up travel guides and books that covered the basics of speaking -and understanding- Italian. For several weeks I worked on my Italian.
When we visited our friends in Aspach we spent the evenings sitting around the table. Ingrid’s English was great, Sharon and I struggled with German, and we would all push English-German dictionaries back and forth across the table. We did our best. We listened carefully to one another. Sometimes we resorted to hand gestures or we pointed to things in the house. It was amazing how my German began to develop!
By the time I got to Italy, the German kept getting in the way of the Italian I wanted to speak. Then, as I tried to get the hang of Italian, the French I had once spoken as a child began to float to the surface.
This weekend we begin a three-week series on communication. Understanding one another, using the right words, not missing the signals someone is trying to send our way, can be hard work. The Bible offers us some basic guidance about clues to HOLY COMMUNION: The Art of Conversation. This weekend, Aug 19th, we’ll look at Matthew 7:1-5, as we focus on being self-aware and developing our ability to listen. The sermon title is Log Rolling. (You may also want to look at the story of Elijah on the run in 1 Kings 19.)
It is funny how we assume communication should be an easy thing. How can speaking and listening be complicated? But there is an art to healthy, loving, direct communication. It can get tricky. One word means something to me and another thing to you. A look means one thing to you and another thing to me.
In fact, if you try and speak to me, you need to know I have a congenital hearing defect in my right ear so I will need to turn your direction if I am not to miss what you are about to say. (My Mom swore I couldn’t hear her tell me to come inside, but I could hear her whisper to my Dad, “Would you like some ice cream?” two rooms away!)
The Bible spends a lot of time encouraging us to listen! “Hear, O Israel,” Deuteronomy 6:4 says, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
The Bible says listening is a big deal. Invite your friends and co-workers to join you this weekend as we begin a three-week look at The Art of Communication.
In Christ and for Christ,
Mark
(Note: on August 26th we’ll explore the importance of taking the initiative in communication as we look at Matthew 5:21-26. We’ll also deal with the whole subject of conflict. On September 2nd we look at speech as a Body Building opportunity and read Ephesians 4:25-32.)
I picked up travel guides and books that covered the basics of speaking -and understanding- Italian. For several weeks I worked on my Italian.
When we visited our friends in Aspach we spent the evenings sitting around the table. Ingrid’s English was great, Sharon and I struggled with German, and we would all push English-German dictionaries back and forth across the table. We did our best. We listened carefully to one another. Sometimes we resorted to hand gestures or we pointed to things in the house. It was amazing how my German began to develop!
By the time I got to Italy, the German kept getting in the way of the Italian I wanted to speak. Then, as I tried to get the hang of Italian, the French I had once spoken as a child began to float to the surface.
This weekend we begin a three-week series on communication. Understanding one another, using the right words, not missing the signals someone is trying to send our way, can be hard work. The Bible offers us some basic guidance about clues to HOLY COMMUNION: The Art of Conversation. This weekend, Aug 19th, we’ll look at Matthew 7:1-5, as we focus on being self-aware and developing our ability to listen. The sermon title is Log Rolling. (You may also want to look at the story of Elijah on the run in 1 Kings 19.)
It is funny how we assume communication should be an easy thing. How can speaking and listening be complicated? But there is an art to healthy, loving, direct communication. It can get tricky. One word means something to me and another thing to you. A look means one thing to you and another thing to me.
In fact, if you try and speak to me, you need to know I have a congenital hearing defect in my right ear so I will need to turn your direction if I am not to miss what you are about to say. (My Mom swore I couldn’t hear her tell me to come inside, but I could hear her whisper to my Dad, “Would you like some ice cream?” two rooms away!)
The Bible spends a lot of time encouraging us to listen! “Hear, O Israel,” Deuteronomy 6:4 says, “The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
The Bible says listening is a big deal. Invite your friends and co-workers to join you this weekend as we begin a three-week look at The Art of Communication.
In Christ and for Christ,
Mark
(Note: on August 26th we’ll explore the importance of taking the initiative in communication as we look at Matthew 5:21-26. We’ll also deal with the whole subject of conflict. On September 2nd we look at speech as a Body Building opportunity and read Ephesians 4:25-32.)
Friday, August 10, 2012
MEGA-LIFE vs MEGA-CHURCH
One of the interesting things about
being with young children is they are always asking you what a particular word
means. It forces you to stop and think through why you have chosen a word
and what that word means.
There are three words Christian pastors, and teachers, and lay people use that often are misinterpreted. I’ve discovered as I have used these words people have sometimes assumed I meant one thing when I had something else in mind.
“Evangelism” is one of the words we use. Some people have heard that and had visions (it seems) of loud preachers, closed-minded religion, repeated versions of “Just as I Am,” and people being brow-beaten into faith. When I use the word I intend for it to mean a gracious invitation to people to trust that in Jesus we can experience the truth and love of God. It is a beautiful, winsome, grace-filled invitation to life and to follow Jesus! One missionary writer said evangelism is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread.
The other word is “discipleship.” Again some people hear the word and seem to think it is a code word for rigid, doctrinaire, unquestioning religion. Where people are worked, like metal, into perfect replicas of some Wesleyan ideal. Not what we mean or are thinking! Discipleship is simply a term that refers to those experiences and that truth which help us come fully alive, experience God, learn and practice life-giving activities like worship, prayer, fellowship, study, serving and giving. Paul talks about growing up in Christ and becoming fully mature.
The third word is “growth.” I’ve had people hear the word and assume -they have told me this- we are talking about growing big. Several people have wondered if we are trying to build a “mega-church” or a “big box church.”
Nope! When we talk about “growth” we are talking about being a community where people are invited -and helped- to grow in their faith, in their relationship with God, in healthy relationships with others, etc.
God is calling us to be a place where there is the kind of worship, small group life, serving opportunities, prayer life, and service where people grow more fully alive in Christ.
(Now the truth is when a church is this kind of healthy, Christ-centered, open, serving and Biblically-formed community people want to be a part of it. People are drawn to health, and vitality, and truth!)
But we are not trying to become a religious Wal-Mart or match the mega-church up the highway. We are NOT shooting for big, cool, fancy, superficial, latte-driven, consumer-oriented, “we’ll match any price” Christianity. We believe we are called to be real, to be healthy, to be gracious, to be open, to be loving, to be alive, to be a servant people, to be –in a phrase- disciples of Jesus Christ.
“What does that word mean, Grandpa?” the girls ask. I slow down. Think it through. Try to explain myself and the word I have just used.
I hope slowing down and taking the time to “unpack” what I mean when we use words like evangelism, discipleship and growth has been helpful. Because sometimes we think we know what the other person is saying before they finish saying it – and the two of us aren’t even close!
There are three words Christian pastors, and teachers, and lay people use that often are misinterpreted. I’ve discovered as I have used these words people have sometimes assumed I meant one thing when I had something else in mind.
“Evangelism” is one of the words we use. Some people have heard that and had visions (it seems) of loud preachers, closed-minded religion, repeated versions of “Just as I Am,” and people being brow-beaten into faith. When I use the word I intend for it to mean a gracious invitation to people to trust that in Jesus we can experience the truth and love of God. It is a beautiful, winsome, grace-filled invitation to life and to follow Jesus! One missionary writer said evangelism is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread.
The other word is “discipleship.” Again some people hear the word and seem to think it is a code word for rigid, doctrinaire, unquestioning religion. Where people are worked, like metal, into perfect replicas of some Wesleyan ideal. Not what we mean or are thinking! Discipleship is simply a term that refers to those experiences and that truth which help us come fully alive, experience God, learn and practice life-giving activities like worship, prayer, fellowship, study, serving and giving. Paul talks about growing up in Christ and becoming fully mature.
The third word is “growth.” I’ve had people hear the word and assume -they have told me this- we are talking about growing big. Several people have wondered if we are trying to build a “mega-church” or a “big box church.”
Nope! When we talk about “growth” we are talking about being a community where people are invited -and helped- to grow in their faith, in their relationship with God, in healthy relationships with others, etc.
God is calling us to be a place where there is the kind of worship, small group life, serving opportunities, prayer life, and service where people grow more fully alive in Christ.
(Now the truth is when a church is this kind of healthy, Christ-centered, open, serving and Biblically-formed community people want to be a part of it. People are drawn to health, and vitality, and truth!)
But we are not trying to become a religious Wal-Mart or match the mega-church up the highway. We are NOT shooting for big, cool, fancy, superficial, latte-driven, consumer-oriented, “we’ll match any price” Christianity. We believe we are called to be real, to be healthy, to be gracious, to be open, to be loving, to be alive, to be a servant people, to be –in a phrase- disciples of Jesus Christ.
“What does that word mean, Grandpa?” the girls ask. I slow down. Think it through. Try to explain myself and the word I have just used.
I hope slowing down and taking the time to “unpack” what I mean when we use words like evangelism, discipleship and growth has been helpful. Because sometimes we think we know what the other person is saying before they finish saying it – and the two of us aren’t even close!
|
Paul, in Colossians 2:6, says, “So
then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives
in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were
taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
|
In Christ and for Christ,
Mark
Friday, August 3, 2012
THE BLOOMINGTON OLYMPICS (OR UN-OLYMPICS?)
You may be spending more hours than you planned watching the Olympics
from London. Pretty amazing, isn’t it?
There are similarities between the Olympics and the life we have together in the church, but there are two ways in which life in the church is God’s “Un-Olympics.” (Remember Un-Cola?)
First, there is the way every fault is seen, recorded, and never forgiven. Athletes strive for perfection and everything short of perfection is duly noted. 95% of a gymnast’s performance is breathtaking, but if they make one mistake, if they step outside the lines, the commentators point that out. The judges give them a lower score. And that is the way it is.
Sometimes life can feel that way at work, or at school, but in the church we operate by grace. God wants our best! We sing, and serve, and preach, and give the best we can, but here there is grace. Imperfection does not disqualify us! Paul, in Romans 4, says God takes the initiative to love and forgive those who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I am so glad we operate here by grace! I am so glad that failing to “stick” a landing or hand off the baton doesn’t knock me out “the race” that is life with God.
The second way the church is the “Un-Olympics” is the way God calls us to focus on building one another up rather than (like TV commentators) pointing out each mistake.
Every one of us has a decision to make: will we be a commentator who points out each failure of those around us in the church, or will we be the team members who stand on the deck of the pool swinging towels in the air and shouting words of encouragement to our teammates?
It is easy to find someone who will enthusiastically join us in a conspiracy of criticism and an ungracious focus on what isn’t perfect in others (or the church). These kinds of words are destructive and discouraging. Some churches are like a congregation of critical commentators and others are places of grace where people are cheering one another on to the next good thing. (It is okay when you are hearing this kind of thing to lovingly say you choose not to focus on what isn’t right, but on what is good and true!)
Paul, in Colossians 3, says whatever we do or say should be done in the name of Jesus. In 1st Thessalonians 5:14 he calls us to encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, and “be patient with all of them.”
There are some members of the church here who are note writers. One is a tough looking guy who frequently sends notes to the church staff saying “well done,” or “hang in there,” or “I appreciate you.” Towel wavers who cheer others on are such a gift! Last Sunday after church one of our youth who spent a week in New Orleans on a mission team gave me a note that said how God had worked in her life. She expressed her appreciation for the way God is loving her through this church. Suddenly I felt lighter!
Will we be a place where people give their all? Will we trust that God is big enough to do impossible things? Will we be a community of grace and forgiveness…specializing in the God of second chances? Will we refuse to join the conspiracy of critics and cheer one another on, focusing on what is best…what is ahead?
What kind of games will we play?
Now back to the TV to watch the replay of the USA women’s team in gymnastics winning the gold!
In Christ and for Christ,
Mark
There are similarities between the Olympics and the life we have together in the church, but there are two ways in which life in the church is God’s “Un-Olympics.” (Remember Un-Cola?)
First, there is the way every fault is seen, recorded, and never forgiven. Athletes strive for perfection and everything short of perfection is duly noted. 95% of a gymnast’s performance is breathtaking, but if they make one mistake, if they step outside the lines, the commentators point that out. The judges give them a lower score. And that is the way it is.
Sometimes life can feel that way at work, or at school, but in the church we operate by grace. God wants our best! We sing, and serve, and preach, and give the best we can, but here there is grace. Imperfection does not disqualify us! Paul, in Romans 4, says God takes the initiative to love and forgive those who have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. I am so glad we operate here by grace! I am so glad that failing to “stick” a landing or hand off the baton doesn’t knock me out “the race” that is life with God.
The second way the church is the “Un-Olympics” is the way God calls us to focus on building one another up rather than (like TV commentators) pointing out each mistake.
Every one of us has a decision to make: will we be a commentator who points out each failure of those around us in the church, or will we be the team members who stand on the deck of the pool swinging towels in the air and shouting words of encouragement to our teammates?
It is easy to find someone who will enthusiastically join us in a conspiracy of criticism and an ungracious focus on what isn’t perfect in others (or the church). These kinds of words are destructive and discouraging. Some churches are like a congregation of critical commentators and others are places of grace where people are cheering one another on to the next good thing. (It is okay when you are hearing this kind of thing to lovingly say you choose not to focus on what isn’t right, but on what is good and true!)
Paul, in Colossians 3, says whatever we do or say should be done in the name of Jesus. In 1st Thessalonians 5:14 he calls us to encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, and “be patient with all of them.”
There are some members of the church here who are note writers. One is a tough looking guy who frequently sends notes to the church staff saying “well done,” or “hang in there,” or “I appreciate you.” Towel wavers who cheer others on are such a gift! Last Sunday after church one of our youth who spent a week in New Orleans on a mission team gave me a note that said how God had worked in her life. She expressed her appreciation for the way God is loving her through this church. Suddenly I felt lighter!
Will we be a place where people give their all? Will we trust that God is big enough to do impossible things? Will we be a community of grace and forgiveness…specializing in the God of second chances? Will we refuse to join the conspiracy of critics and cheer one another on, focusing on what is best…what is ahead?
What kind of games will we play?
Now back to the TV to watch the replay of the USA women’s team in gymnastics winning the gold!
In Christ and for Christ,
Mark
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