SMALL GROUPS 

If you attended any Connect evening, or have been an EFM student, you have already experienced a small group setting. Many parishioners spoke of wanting more opportunities to meet in this way. If you wish to deepen your relationship with other St. Paul’s members, as well as deepen your own spiritual life and help others in their walk with God, then consider committing to six meetings over a period of 12 weeks beginning the first week of October.


Small groups consist of a limited number of parishioners who are committed to focus on spiritual growth via worship, prayer, and study, meeting on a regular basis over a longer time frame (hopefully even years). There will initially be four groups, with each meeting at different times and days.


The groups will have an initial study focus, but it is expected that the group as a whole will set the longer term focus. There will be a trained facilitator for each group, but most roles in a given meeting will rotate between members.

gROUP A - THE HEART OF CHRISTIANITY

Initial Study Focus: The Heart of Christianity: Rediscovering a Life of Faith, by Marcus Borg, world-renowned Jesus scholar, shows how we can live passionately as Christians in today's world by practicing the timeless elements of Christian Faith.


Facilitator: Gail Barr

Contact Information: gailwbarr@gmail.com, 714-270-1040

Meeting Regularity: Every other week, for 6 weeks.

Day and Time: Tuesdays, 7pm-8:30pm

Location: Vail Room Initial Meeting: Tuesday, October 4

gROUP B - LEARNING TO WALK IN THE DARK

Initial Study Focus: Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor. Taylor provides a way to find spirituality in those times when we don’t know all the answers. She asks us to put aside our fear and anxieties and explore all that God has to teach us “in the dark”.


Facilitator: Doris Longmead

Contact Information: dlongmead@yahoo.com, 714-744-1866

Meeting Regularity: Every other week for 6 weeks.

Day and Time: Wednesdays, 7pm to 8:30pm

Location: The Vail Room

Initial Meeting: Wednesday, October 5

GROUP C - THE ALCHEMIST

Initial Study Focus: The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. Follow Santiago, a shepherd boy, on his travels from Spain to the Pyramids looking for worldly treasures, only to discover the treasure found within. “Santiago is an eternal testament to the transforming power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.”


Facilitator: Pat Ash

Contact Information: ft3bmn@yahoo.com 952-657-4009

Meeting Regularity: Every other week for 6 weeks.

Day and Time: Wednesdays, 7pm-8:30pm

Location: Ash’s Home, 12761 Bonita Heights Dr., Santa Ana (North Tustin)

Initial Meeting: Wednesday, October 5th


GROUP D - DISCERNMENT

Initial Study Focus: Discernment, by Henry Nouwen. “Nouwen artfully explores how nature, our neighbors, and our own hearts reveal God’s active presence all around us. …He invites all those who doubt, feel lost, wounded, or broken to discover the beating heart of love at the center of the world.” 

                                                                                                   -  Diana Butler Bass.


Leader: Connie Ash

Contact Information: ashmomto3boys@yahoo.com, 952-657-4005

Meeting Regularity: Every other week for six weeks.

Day and Time: Tuesdays, 9am-10:30am

Location: Various coffee shops, beginning with: The Lost Bean 13011 Newport Ave, Tustin

Initial Meeting: Tuesday, October 4