Small Group on Aging
December 12, 2024
Family Scavenger Hunt
January 20, 2025
Register by February 9.
As we gradually move into the new year, do you find yourself making promises and resolutions to do better in 2025: slowdown, get more rest, spend more quality time with family and friends, stop overspending and overcommitting? If you would you like to let go of those things that are robbing you of a more joyful life and embrace those things that nourish you physically, mentally, and spiritually, Lenten small groups is for you! (And please consider being a small group leader, see below).
Whether the Lenten journey is brand new to you, or you’re an annual pilgrim, I invite you to join us as we explore A Different Kind of Fast (by Christine Valters Paintner) to “help us identify those patterns and habits that distract us from the fullness of life and open up space for the feast that awaits each of us.”
As we seek to draw closer to God during Lent, we will explore how to create “retreat spaces” in our everyday lives through meetings with a small group where we fellowship, share our experiences, and learn/revisit practical contemplative practices. This promises to be a rewarding Lenten experience. Below is the list of weekly themes.
| An Invitation to Fast from: | Invitation to Embrace: | |
| Ash Wednesday Week: 3/2-3/8 | Consuming | Simplicity |
| Week 1: 3/9-3/15 | Multitasking and Inattention | Full Presence to the Moment |
| Week 2: 3/16-3/22 | Scarcity Anxiety | Radical Trust in Abundance |
| Week 3: 3/23-3/29 | Speed and Rushing | Slowness and Pausing |
| Week 4: 3/30-4/5 | Holding It All Together | Tenderness and Vulnerability |
| Week 5: 4/6-4/12 | Planning and Deadlines | Unfolding and Ripening |
| Week 6: 4/13-4/19 | Certainty | Mystery and Waiting |
| Living the Wisdom Forward: Resurrection Blessings | ||
To register, please indicate your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choices and email them to Pastor Denise (denise@bradleyhillschurch.org) no later than February 9.
Sunday, 12:00 pm–1:30 pm | In-person BHPC Room 305
Sunday, 4:00 pm–5:30 pm | Zoom
Sunday, 7:30–9:00 pm | In-Person | Group can adjust time for concert nights 3/9 & 4/6
Sunday, 7:00–8:30 pm | Zoom | Group can adjust time for concert nights on 3/9 & 4/6
Monday, 1:00–2:30 pm | In-person at BHPC
Monday, 5:00–7:30 pm FAMILY SMALL GROUP, with childcare | In-person at BHPC
Thursday, 1:00–2:30 pm | In-person at Church
Thursday, 7:00–8:30 pm | Zoom
Friday, 11:00 am–12:30 pm | In-person at BHPC
Evening ASBURY SMALL GROUP for those near Gaithersburg/Germantown | Meeting day TBD
Consider Being a Lenten Small Group Leader
Help is needed as we explore the work of A Different Kind of Fast. As we seek to draw closer to God during Lent, Lenten small group leaders will help their group explore how to create “retreat spaces” in our everyday lives. In these small group, we will fellowship, share our experiences, and learn/revisit practical contemplative practices.
This promises to be a rewarding Lenten experience.
Contact Pastor Denise by January 26 to volunteer or for more information (denise@bradleyhillschurch.org).
