There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

– Albert Einstein

Listening for the Sacred
Lenten Small Groups | February 19-April 1

With every conversation, Jesus sees the person in front of him and responds to their unique story. He meets them right where they are—in the dark, alone, judged, or dying—and his generous attention opens up another life-giving way for them. Throughout our lives, when we’ve encountered Jesus, we’ve felt free. But without community, we may miss noticing the miracles. This Lent, small groups will meet regularly to wonder, listen, read, cook, create art, pray, and notice the miracles among us. In all we commit ourselves to this season, we’re listening for Jesus.

Look for any updates or additions to these groups on this page, and in our weekly eNews.

Listening for the Sacred: Storytelling Groups

As we explore the stories of Jesus’ conversations in the Gospel of John during our Lent worship, small groups will follow the inspiration of these stories and listen to each other. During this season, groups will meet to intimately share their faith stories with each other. Each participant will have the chance to tell what they want to tell, and everyone else around the table will actively listen and generously respond. Through this storytelling practice, we will learn more about the people who make up our faith family. We will each have the chance to be seen and known. Hopefully, everyone will find that each story is like a miracle. And then eventually we may find we’ve been listening to Jesus all along.

Group Details:

Leader: Lesley-Ann Hix Tommey
Wednesdays in Lent, 5:45-7:00 PM (February 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1) | Plymouth
Capacity: 8 Participants

Leader: Rebecca Yaggy
Thursdays in Lent, 6-7:30 PM (February 19, 26, March 5, 12, 19, 26) | Plymouth
Capacity: 4-6

Leader: Martin Coren
Sundays in Lent, 1:30-2:45 PM (February 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) | Plymouth
Capacity: 8

Leader: Becky Lewis
Day/Time TBD

Men’s Lenten Group

Monday evenings in Lent, 6:30 PM (February 21, March 9, 23) | at the home of Josh Pater
Group Leaders: Josh Pater

This spring, Plymouth men will gather to eat together while preparing meals for hungry Brooklynites. No cooking skills required; nor is perfect attendance. Depending on interest, we will continue this beyond Easter as a regular act of service.

Lenten Bible Study

Wednesday mornings in Lent, 10:30 AM-noon (Feb 25, March 4, 11, 18, 25, April 1) | the Music Room at Plymouth
(with a hybrid option for those joining online)
Group Leader: Elizabeth Snypes

Every Wednesday morning, we gather to learn more from the Bible. As theologian Rachel Held Evans explains, “The Bible relies on story and song, letters and laws, poetry and proverb to spark among God’s people the questions, ideas, and actions that bring them closer to truth and to one another.” This Lent, as we read her book Inspired and study together through a fresh interpretation of the biblical narrative, we will listen for the holy spark that inspires us closer to God’s truth and to each other.

Plymouth Goes to the Movies

Saturday mornings in Lent, 9:30-11:00 AM (February 21, March 7, 14, 21, 28) | at the parsonage
Group Leader: Brett Younger
Capacity: 14 Participants

Some of our sacred moments take place during movies. We experience a sense of wonder that comes remarkably close to what happens in worship. The best films offer hope. For five Saturdays morning at 9:30 at the parsonage, we will discuss films that have been nominated for best picture this year:

February 21 | Hamnet
March 7 | Train Dreams
March 14 | Sentimental Value
March 21 | One Battle After Another
March 28 | Sinners

We will see the films on our own and then come talk about why church people should be talking about them.

Illuminated Manuscripts

Sunday mornings in Lent, 9:45 AM (February 22, March 1, 8, 15, 22, 29) | at Plymouth
Group Leader: Morgan Proffitt-Davis
Capacity: 15 Participants

Faith and scripture give us guides for living well. Coping skills like gratitude, meditation, and connection help us handle stress and difficult situations, and negative ones like anger or comparison make stress worse. In this class, we will read Lenten and other scriptures, list ways of good and bad coping they present to us, and address everyday issues with sermon study and biblical commentary. This is a good group for anyone who has not done a lot of Bible study or is looking to do more.

Childcare will be provided.

Stories and Stitches

Time and Location TBA | at Penelope’s home
Group Leader: Penelope Kulko
Capacity: 5 Participants

While we piece together communal tapestry art for worship, we will consider the questions coming up for us in this season: How do we live our lives with purpose, not in theory but in daily practice? How do we hold onto faith in the face of all the sorrow and wrong and horrible right now? Is there a way to re-engage the world without being emotionally crushed and stressed?

We will bring our honest discernment to the pieces we sew, stitch, and embroider together. We will support each other in our struggles, and create beauty in ways we haven't imagined.

Prerequisites: To join this group, you should have some interest and experience in sewing, stitching, knitting, embroidery—something needlework-oriented, that is portable and that you can bring with you each week.