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Small Groups 2011-2012


Small groups are an opportunity to deepen our faith, our experience of God and to enjoy the gifts of God with one another in a more intimate setting from Sunday morning worship.  Small groups meet at Circular, someone’s home, a coffee shop – you name it.  Some small groups may meet only four times, others meet monthly or weekly.  They are formed around a variety of interests and serve different functions – education, spiritual formation, social action, support and fellowship.  See below for Small Group opportunities: 

 

Creating Sacred Spaces
 

“The more you celebrate life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”


Nurture your artistic passion. Learn how to create your own sanctuary and place of respite and inspiration by creating personal altars, mandalas, and prayer flags to adorn your personal space. Linda Mayo-Perez Williams, creative mentor will introduce ways to celebrate your sacred retreat through ceremony and ritual. There will be a $ 15.00 supplies fee due at registration.

Class Schedule (2013)

February 20: Introduction to Creating Sacred Spaces
February 27: Personal Altars
March 13: Mandalas
March 20: Prayer flags

Linda Mayo-Perez
lindamp@aol.com


 

 

Embracing The Prophets In Contemporary Culture?

 

Walter Brueggemann is an Old Testament scholar and theologian and an important figure in Progressive Christianity. Brueggemann is widely considered one of the most influential Old Testament scholars of the last several decades. This group will explore a DVD based study led by Brueggemann. He presents this compelling faith exploration and develops the contemporary significance and relevance of the Old Testament prophets as uncredentialed purveyors of convenant and moral coherence in a world of power, money and violence. This group will meet in the home of Bob and Linda Thomas (1217 Waterfront Dr., Hidden Lakes, Mt. Pleasant) on Tuesday evenings at 6:30 beginning in October, exact date TBA. Please contact Bob or Linda Thomas for additional information.

Bob and Linda Thomas
971-0167
bobolinksc@yahoo.com
 

Celtic Spirituality


The Celtic Spirituality Group is a group who meets biweekly to study Celtic history and theological literature. We ponder the ways in which we can return to these heart-filled, Creation-appreciative ways of being. This theology, in fact, undergirds the environmental mission interests of our church. Those who are interested may wish to preview the book Christ of the Celts by John Philip Newell. The group opens to new members in January, 2013.

Barbara Cole 388-0249
brcole60@comcast.net
 

Prayer Group


This group offers the opportunity to join with others weekly in intercessory prayer. Prayer makes a difference and is a unique way in which to feel more connected with each other and our church. For those who are unable to attend regular sessions there is the opportunity to receive requests by e-mail and pray in solitude. This group meets every Wednesday at 5:00 PM at the home of Carolyn Ter Poorten, 1564 Home Farm Road, Mt. Pleasant.

Carolyn Ter Poorten 884-3428
terpoortenc@bellsouth.net
 

Circular Book Club


Circular's book club meets the third Sunday of each month from September to June (except December) at rotating sites downtown (the Cobau's, Taylor's or Simpson's homes) after church (around 1pm). New members are always welcome!

January 20 Undaunted Courage by Stephen Ambrose
February 17 The Sense of An Ending by Julian Barnes (the day before President's Day)
March 17 Bringing Up the Bodies by Hillary Mantel (St. Patrick's Day)
April 21 Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman
May 19 The Submission by Amy Waldman
June 16 The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka (Father’s Day)

Bill Simpson
simpsowm@musc.edu
 

Circular Film Group


Come to the movies at Circular! We have seen and enjoyed The Chamber Maid on the Titanic, The White Dawn, Dreamchild, O'Horten and Temple Grandin, to name just a few. After the movie is over, we turn our chairs around and discuss the movie. For great film and lively discussion, join us once a month, on the last Friday of the month, 7:30 in Lower Lance Hall. Bring your own popcorn.


Richard Garcia and Katherine Williams 795-0115
richardgpoet@earthlink.net
kathexix@earthlink.net

 

Couples/Marriage Enrichment Weekend


More than I ever expected! Practical tools that work with figuring out better communication/intimacy.
- Past participant

Discover the essential skills that have helped tens of thousand create and sustain successful relationships that are an ongoing source of love, pleasure and happiness through a program called PAIRS Essentials. The workshop is held in Lower Lance Hall with brief lectures followed by strong emphasis on practical, easy to use relationship building tools through interactive exercises with your partner.

For couples in any stage of a relationship: Married, Life Partners, Dating, Engaged, Cohabitating, Separated.  Last day to register is Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013

Dates: February 9-10, 2013
Time: Sat. 10am - 5pm, Sun. 1pm - 4pm
Cost: $50.00 per couple (to cover workbooks and materials)

Becky Denslow, MSW, LISW-CP 843-884-8511
rdenslow@gmail.com
 

Covenant Group

Whether you are new to Circular or you have been a part of our church community for a while, chances are there are still many faces you don't know and not enough opportunities to get to know them!  If you crave developing deeper connections and a greater sense of intimacy and community, Covenant Group is for you!  This small group of 8-12 people will be meeting on the first Wednesday evening of every month from 6-7 pm starting March 6 (concurrently with the theology book group, child care and youth activities).  Group members will be asked to covenant together to meet once a month until September (when new groups will be formed).  This group will be a place for spiritual exploration and growth, where participants are encouraged and supported in the sharing of stories, experiences, ideas and feelings around common themes.  Some of these themes include Community, Learning from Failure, Deep Listening, Forgiveness, Gratitude, Prayer, Jesus, the Sacred, Living Simply, etc.  Group members will be asked to covenant together to meet once a month until September (when new groups will be formed).  Please consider being a part of our first Covenant Group! 

Evelyn Oliveira 225-9573
rev.evelyn@pushingforward.org
 

 
Didn’t See a Small Group You Were Interested In?

There is always an opportunity to start a new small group! If you are interested in leading a new group either this Fall or in the new year, please contact Evelyn Oliveira.

Evelyn Oliveira 225-9573
rev.evelyn@pushingforward.org


 





 
Groups begin in the fall with Rally Day which takes place in Circular's church yard on the 13th of September before and following the 11AM worship.  During this casual and festive time you are invited to explore the variety of small group offerings and meet with the group facilitators. 

Some groups are open to new members throughout the year.  Other groups which are designed for study and discussion based on earlier sessions do not take new members after the first few sessions.  There are some occasions that new groups begin at times other than the fall and that information is published in the church newsletter and on the website.