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There are 11 Small Groups being offered this fall, scheduled to start in October. Descriptions of each group appear below, including names of leaders and proposed meeting days and times. To register, please e-mail Rebecca Vigil, or call her at 212-686-2770. You may also register on-line for each small group below beginning on September 28. In cases where there are two different meeting days mentioned, the group will meet based on the day with the greatest number of participants. Please note: listing is subject to change!
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Meeting Time |
Facilitator |
Arts Ministry Writers Small Group:
Creative Calling & Working Together
Are you a writer who enjoys completing projects in the company of other writers? Do you often wonder if writing is just something you love to do or do you question if it is your "creative calling?" During our Sunday afternoon meetings we will explore writing as a calling using the book, "The Soul Tells a Story: Engaging Creativity with Spirituality in The Writing Life" by Vinita Hampton Wright. In addition, whether you're an aspiring, emerging or professional writer we'll discuss and workshop group members' creative writing. All genres are welcome: poetry, screenwriting, playwriting, creative nonfiction, writing for children, and fiction. Writing submissions are shared via e-mail prior to Writer's Group meetings in order for group members to read each other's writing. It is our hope that together, we can better understand this creative gift, nurture it, and take off to great heights in a sacred communal space. |
Meets once a month
(except October):
Sundays,
1–4pm: October 9, October 23, November 27, December 18, January 22, February 19,
March 18,
April 22, May 20
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De'Anna Thomas Daniels |
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Meeting Time |
Facilitator |
Prayerful Parenting
This Small Group open to all parents of children and youth 18 and under. The group opens with a short time for prayer focusing on the children and youth of the parents and guardians. Then there will be a presentation of a chapter or topic from the book "Grace-Based Parenting" by Dr. Tim Kimmel, which will lead into discussion. The session concludes with prayer. Attendance is flexible.
Books are available for purchase in the Portico or during the group time for $8. |
Sunday mornings through
December 18, 10:00-10:45am
(excluding the first Sunday of each month)
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Pat Ohikuare |
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Meeting Time |
Facilitator |
Being Gay and Christian:
Strengthening Our Love for Ourselves, Each Other and Christ
Chris Vega, member of the GIFTS leadership team and Sean Harvey, co-leader of the Stephen Ministry, will lead a small group focused on what it means to live a Christ-centered life as someone who identifies as LBGTQ. We will lead the small group in an authentic discussion around a series of some of the difficult questions that gay and lesbian Christians often ask: How do I interpret what the Bible really says about homosexuality? How do I handle the 2nd coming out process as LBGTQ and Christian? How do I continue to find personal acceptance and express love for myself and others in a Christ-centered way? How are my intentions and actions in all aspects of my life as an LBGTQ person in line with my Christian faith? These are just a few of the questions that will be addressed through this Small Group. Through these conversations, we hope to expand the spiritual outlets for healing in our community - a dialogue that promotes personal acceptance, Christ-centered living, and love. |
6 Weeks starting October 13, October 27, November 3, November 17, December 1, December 8
Thursdays,
7 – 8pm
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Chris Vega and Sean Harvey |
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Meeting Time |
Facilitator |
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Eight Keys To Answered Prayer
This event has been postponed. Please check back for details.
Biblical records appear to indicate that in the first century, everyone who asked Jesus to heal them or a loved one of physical, emotional or psychological illnesses received healing, often instantaneously. Hebrews 13:8 states that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Yet in today's world, it seems that our prayers for healing are not always answered the way we would like. What can the Bible teach us about praying more effectively? The Lord's Prayer is a model prayer that Jesus taught his followers, and one that you have probably prayed dozens or even hundreds of times without giving it much thought. In this simple prayer, Jesus taught his disciples not only the words they should say, but more importantly, the powerful keys that unlock answers to every prayer. Bring at least one prayer request and join us on this 8-week journey as we explore the keys to answered prayers.
Our text will be the Upper Room devotional book, The Lord's Prayer by Mary Lou Redding. Book costs $11 and will be available for purchase on the Portico or during the Small Group time.
Cost: FREE
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Meeting Time |
Facilitator |
Hello Gorgeous!
Genesis 1:27 states "So God created humankind in his image... male and female he created them". What powerful words that give every woman permission to affirm that since she is created by God in God's holy image, she is beautiful! Sadly, we live in a world where many women and girls and suffer from low self-esteem and thus do not believe this truth. In this Small Group for women only, we will support every woman, regardless of height, weight, race, hair color, bust size, or length of nails, in claiming her right to feel beautiful. Self-confidence, charm, and loveliness are internal states that radiate outward for others to see. These characteristics are ordained by God and are completely in harmony with our Christian faith. Using scripture passages, life experience, and wisdom from inspirational teachers, we will learn to embrace the God-given beauty within each of us. We will celebrate our own unique style as we strive to overcome influences that have caused us to downplay the gifts that make us women. Join us as we discuss how God's loving, maternal spirit gave birth to each of us, and continues to nurture us daily on our journey towards wholeness and beauty, both inside and out. |
6 Weeks starting - Monday evenings, 6:30 - 8:30pm
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DeeDee Headings |
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Meeting Time |
Facilitator |
Jesus, Life Coach
In the game of life, only one coach will do. Have you ever considered Jesus as your life coach? Coaching is designed to help you stay focused - to practice "planned abandonment" of opportunities that would merely serve as distractions. This group will use the book "Jesus, Life Coach" by Laurie Beth Jones to help participants consider how having Jesus as our life coach will help us strike and maintain a sense of balance in a world that teeters on the edges of our ever shifting desires. Without balance, the best gains become burdens, and losses can pull us under. We all struggle to define and focus on what is most important to us to avoid living our lives in a haze of other-directed urgencies, so that we can be productive and successful. Fulfillment is beyond success, and knowing the difference will determine what roads and what actions we choose to take through the day. With Jesus as our life coach, we can learn to play the game of life so that winning is not an option; rather, it is the only possible outcome. If you are ready to be coached by Jesus, then join us for this inspiring Small Group that has the power to change your life.
The book is available for purchase in the Portico or during the group meeting time. |
6 weeks starting October 17th
Monday evenings, 6:45 – 8:30pm
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Roselyn Barranda and Efrain Rosado |
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Meeting Time |
Facilitator |
Word to World
This event has been postponed till February 2012. Please check back for details.
Have you long wanted to serve others but you were not quite sure what to do, or where to begin? Are you a long time volunteer looking for fellowship and inspiration? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this Small Group is for you! In this group, we will engage books on the subject of real people’s calls to serve others to help us discern how we can best serve our community and our world. Our first book this fall will be Sara Miles' "Take this Bread: A Radical Conversion," a memoir of one woman's activist faith. Our sessions will also include Bible Study as we learn from and seek to apply what the Good Book has to teach us about service. Please join us as together, we explore how to journey from the Word to the World.
Cost: FREE |
Monday evenings, 6:30 – 8pm
6 weeks starting October 3rd
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Elise Hanley and Sam Clover |
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Meeting Time |
Facilitator |
Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life
In the first half of life, we are naturally and rightly preoccupied with establishing our identity - climbing, achieving, and performing. However, as we grow older and begin the second half of life, those concerns change. In his book "Falling Upward," Father Richard Rohr takes us on a journey to help us understand how the heartbreaks, disappointments and first loves of life are actually stepping stones to the spiritual joys that the second half of life has in store for us. Join us as we hold a place for each of us to explore in community the mystery and beauty of healthy spiritual maturity. |
Saturdays,
4:30 – 6:30pm
Starting October 1st
In an apartment on East 76th Street off of Fifth Avenue
On the following dates:
October 1
November 5
December 3
January 7
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Katherine Gotshall English |
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Meeting Time |
Facilitator |
Speaking the Truth in Love
"But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ" (Ephesians 4:15). How many times have you found yourself wanting to share a difficult message with a friend or colleague but felt you lacked the skills or courage to do so? In the book "Speaking The Truth in Love: How to be an Assertive Christian" authors Ruth Koch and Ken Haugk offer practical tools that are non-threatening, biblically-based, and attainable and that if applied, will transform your communication. Jesus is held up as the ultimate example of assertiveness, which can be defined as "moving toward one's self as you move toward another person." This is contrasted with passiveness and aggressiveness, common but ineffective behaviors which tend to lead to guilt, frustration, and personal attacks. With clear applications to interpersonal communication, conflict resolution and leadership, this Small Group is open to anyone who wishes to become a more assertive, loving and effective communicator in all aspects of life.
Book is available for purchase on the portico or during sessions. |
Sundays,
1 – 2:30pm: October 9,
October 23, November 6, November 20, December 4 |
Laurie Drucker |
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Meeting Time |
Facilitator |
Nudge Book Study Group
In this group we will discuss the book "Nudge" by Leonard Sweet. The book is about a new way of looking at evangelism, spreading the good news that Christ is here with us and that health and healing are ours because of his death and resurrection. Nudge also stresses love rather than fear because Sweet believes that the gospel of Christ is a "no-fear gospel." Sweet writes that everything we do as Christians is a living witness and an invitation to "nudge" others to meet God. Yet, he also feels that evangelism if mainly not our task but is God's activity, and we should recognize Him at work and then join Him. Finally, Nudge is asking us to "evangelize life and to face death so that others may live." Join us if you would like a nudge to help you and your loved ones move closer to God. |
Sunday afternoons, 2:30 – 3:30pm: October 2,
October 16, October 30, November 13, November 27, December 11 |
Skai Ahern |
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We are excited to announce that Fall Small Groups are starting between October 2 and October 16. For the most up to date listing of groups, or to join a group. Here is a partial listing of groups slated to be offered (subject to change): Being Gay and Christian, Bottom Line Beliefs, Companions in Christ, Confessing the Beatitudes, Eight Keys to Answered Prayer, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life, Hearing God's Call, Unleashing your Weekday Ministries, and Unwrapping our Gifts.
Energize your life in a Small Group
 Do you love coming to church, but find yourself getting lost in the crowd? Do you yearn for a deeper connection with the people you see on Sundays? Do you often leave worship wanting to discuss the message with others, but don't know where to begin? If you answered "Yes" to any of these questions, then read on!
New York City has a population of over eight million people and one can easily feel isolated and alone. Marble Church is a welcoming community, but once you enter the doors, connecting with like-minded souls seeking support on their spiritual journey is not always easy. Joining a Small Group is a powerful way to do just that.
Many of us enjoy going to a concert or play with friends, and are moved by beautiful music or heartfelt drama. There is no opportunity to interact with the actors or musicians, despite the fact that their words and melodies have touched us. Afterwards, we discuss what we have experienced with our friends. This is what Small Groups are to Sunday morning worship. Intimacy and community replace the formality of corporate worship as people share their stories and grow together in faith. According to group leader Rosalind Yu, "in a Small Group setting, we are there to support each other, to learn of other people's struggles and triumphs, and be inspired."
Small Groups have been part of the Marble culture for over thirty years. Initially, people would meet at each others' homes to discuss the Bible or spiritual topics of the day. Today, groups meet at the church as well. A group, typically comprised of eight-twelve persons including a leader, can meet anywhere from four to twenty-six weeks; six to eight weeks is ideal. For many, the strong bonds formed in groups have led to lifelong friendships.
At Marble, our goal is for every member to be actively involved in a spiritual growth opportunity in addition to worship. By joining a Small Group, you can equip yourself with the spiritual tools to put your faith in action. Some of our most popular Small Groups include: Companions in Christ, Hearing God's Call, You Can if You Think You Can, Unwrapping Our Gifts and, Where Do I Go from Here?
In Matthew 18:20 Jesus says, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."
This summer, why don’t you consider being part of a Marble Small Group. Gather with a few traveling companions to pray, share, heal, love and be transformed.
At Marble, our goal is for every member to be actively involved in a spiritual growth opportunity in addition to worship. By joining a Small Group, you can equip yourself with the spiritual tools to put your faith in action.
For additional information, please contact Rebecca Vigil, or Paulette Thompson-Clinton.
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