Dear Countrysiders,
I’m so excited to invite you to join or help facilitate our new Small Group Ministry, The Village at Countryside, launching this fall on Sept. 18, 5-6 p.m. at The Village Dinner, catered by the brilliant culinary master, Jamil, and The House of Bah. (More information coming soon!)
I introduced this opportunity during my sermon on Sunday, Aug. 11. and have been slowly sharing insights from New York Times columnist David Brooks, particularly from his latest book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply, and Being Deeply Seen. Brooks, a respected author and speaker, emphasizes the importance of humanizing others, central to building true community.
As Brooks reminds us, “True community is about being deeply intertwined with others in a way that leads to a shared moral culture—a culture in which we all feel responsible for each other and for the common good.” This aligns perfectly with our vision at Countryside, where we aim to address the social and political challenges of our time by building connections that reflect Christ’s commandment to “love our neighbors as ourselves.”
There are many ways to get involved with The Village at Countryside, and we hope EVERYONE will take the first step by signing up to join a Village House.
These Village Houses, named after traditional roles in a village such as Elders, Water Keepers, Guardians, Weavers and Builders are designed to create a fun and meaningful community where we can “connect & belong.”
In addition to your small group, there will be village-wide activities, practices and gatherings that support life in the Village—like yoga, walking Abraham’s Bridge, attending theatre outings, two-way prayer or queer potluck, and making music together. There’s something for everyone!
We are also seeking facilitators to help support our Village Houses. Each group will have co-facilitators so you can partner with a friend. The initial sessions will begin with Brooks’ book and run from Sept. 18 to Nov. 6, meeting on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at church, with flexibility for future meeting times based on your group’s preferences.
Here’s how you can get involved:
Sign up to join a Village House
Sign up to co-facilitate a Village House
We are excited to embark on this journey together and look forward to seeing you at The Village Dinner on Sept. 18. Let’s come together to build a community that truly reflects the love of God.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Jenny Shultz-Thomas, Senior Minister
Countryside Community Church
