Voluntary sign-ups begin on Sunday August 1 for our new church-wide Growth Groups that will begin meeting in homes in late September and will run through the week before Thanksgiving. The groups will not officially meet from Thanksgiving to New Years (if folks want to get together for parties and social events, then that’d be great). At that time we may add a group or two and offer you a chance to join another group that may work better for you. The winter-spring phase will run until June and then break for the summer.

The purpose of these groups will be to grow together in grace through fellowship, prayer, and the interactive study of God's Word. These will not be lecture-oriented classes. Though we will learn and be spiritually enriched, it’s safe to say that all the groups will have a blast meeting together. (Some of the groups might decide to do some “extra-curricular” activities here and there.). As I announced after worship in June, you are free to sign-up for whatever group works best for you. Though these are not strictly life-stage oriented groups, we are taking those factors into consideration as we form these. However, it may be that while one group is composed of those who are closer to your “peer range,” another group might meet on a night that works better for you. Each group will devise its own self-sustained approach to child care when and where applicable. Here are some of the details about the groups that we have formed thus far: Please take my less-than-perfect descriptions with a big grain of salt.

• 55+ Somethings. (We’re targeting those who usually fit into the “empty nester” phase of life. Maybe we should call this The Progressive Group). Will meet at the house of JC and Debbie Cobo in Aliso Viejo on Thursday evenings. Led by Duncan Merritt and others.
• Young Adults. (I’m in the group so the term “young” is pretty flexible and relative. Singles and young married, as well as college-age and post-college age folks are encouraged to join with us). Will meet at the home of Ashlee and Cody Hamilton in Mission Viejo on either Tuesday or Sunday evenings (TBD). Led by me and others.
• Everyone Else. (Generally speaking, we’re hoping to attract folks in the mid-30s to mid-50 year range, many of whom have adolescents at home). Will meet at the home of Kent and Jennifer Schmidt in Mission Viejo on Sunday evenings. Led by Jeff Barney and others.

Contact Person: Kent Schmidt, schmidt.kent@dorsey.com