Groups
Contact Lori at lorib@christmemorial.org or 796-3361 for more information.
Groups come in all shapes and sizes. Yours might be the group you sit with after church or the one that gathers at your house on Friday night. Together you laugh and cry, care and share, confide and confess, challenge and support, study and grow, pray and give - all expressions of thinking, loving, serving and living like Jesus. The time, place, and topic of a group may change, but the members are mostly consistent (hopefully with a few new faces here and there).
Below you will see a sampling of groups that already exist at Christ Memorial Church and you are welcome to join at any time: growth communities, connection groups, support groups, and prayer groups. There is also the opportunity to gather and start a new group, welcoming in new people and using your gifts to serve and lead in it.
Don’t miss out – be part of a group because life is better when lived together!
YOUNG ADULT GROUP
Encounter
Monthly, first Tuesday, 6:30-8pm
Meeting October 4, November 1, and December 6
Contacts: Brad and Patti Laninga
Fireside Café off the Gathering Place
Encounter is a group for young adults, single or married, in their 20s. We're interested in connecting, sharing our stories, and attempting to navigate life in this chaotic world we are living in. We meet the first Tuesday of every month spending time in conversation over a delicious meal! For more information, connect with Brad at brad.laninga@gmail.com or Patti at pjlaninga@gmail.com .
GROWTH COMMUNITIES
Growth Communities are groups that are larger and more formally established. These are groups of 15-50 people who meet weekly for Bible study, discussion, fellowship, prayer, and service projects. Each group is a recurring adventure into community, faith, and life - thinking, loving, and serving like Jesus. Most groups meet regularly through the school year (September - April/May with a two week break in December) and less regularly and more informally throughout the summer. All groups are open to new people joining in.
Sunday Morning Growth Communities
Friends In Christ
Sunday mornings, 10:45-11:45am
Contact: Judie Zylman
Room 167 in the adult wing
Friends in Christ is not age specific and is made up of both couples and singles. This group is highly devoted to studying God’s Word through weekly Bible study. (Bring your Bible!) They also enjoy times of fellowship in addition to their regular study time. Beginning in September, Jerry Heyerman will be leading the group through a study and discussion of Ray VanderLaan’s teaching DVD, God Heard Their Cry.
GAP (Gradually Aging People)
Sunday mornings, 10:45-11:45am
Contact: Laurie Boer
Green Room just inside Entrance D
This group includes couples and singles ages 50-70 something. They meet following the Sunday morning worship service for fellowship and to discuss the sermon.
This is Us ~ Adventures In Family
Sunday mornings, 10:45-11:45am
Contacts: Doug and Jane Finn, Ron and Sue Hemmeke, Jeanne Lindell, Paul and Conni VandeBunte
Room 165-166 in the adult wing
This group thinks, loves, and serves together. Thinking - learning to apply God's Word, His love, His grace in our families. Loving - each other, our families, our neighbors; fun, social events, and caring for one another through the joys and challenges of life. Serving - together in our community and our church.
Sunday Evening Growth Communities
Faith In Action
Monthly, Sunday nights, second and fourth Sundays, 5:45-7:15pm
Meeting September 18 and 25, October 9 and 23, November 13 and 27, and December 11
Contacts: Rich Herbig and Sherrie Wolthuis
Room 168-169 in the adult wing
This group’s focus is on studying and working to put their faith into action in our church, our community, our nation, and the world, seeking peace and biblical as well as social justice for all. This faith is based on the study of Jesus’ life and teachings as revealed in Scripture. The group is a mix of singles and couples who also enjoy times of fellowship. Faith in Action is always open and welcoming to new people joining them.
Loving God, Loving People
(Based on the Greatest Commandment)
Monthly, Sunday nights, first and third Sundays, 5:45-7:00pm
Meeting September 18, October 2,16 and 30, November 6 and 20, and December 4
Contacts: Mel and Bev Assink, Mary Lou Bogema, Bob and Marcia Gustavson,
Dave and Sally Hoekstra, David and Mary Wierenga
Room 167 in the adult wing (virtual meeting link also available)
Loving God, Loving People is a lively group of singles and couples who seek community and service. At the center of the group is spiritual growth, spending time getting to know each other, and walking the journey of life together. New people are always welcome! The group meets in person but a zoom link is available for those who would prefer to participate virtually. Contact Dave at hollhoek@gmail.com to receive the Zoom meeting link.
Prime Time
Sunday nights, 5:45-7pm
Contacts: Vern and Eunie Jurgens, Leon and Louise Koops, Kathy Lubbers, and Tom and Donna Tuls
Room 165-166 in the adult wing
Prime Time is a group of Christ-followers who enjoy sharing time together as they study The Word, pray, and serve one another as well as others. Their weekly meetings have varied programing: Bible study, game nights, special guests, potlucks, and preparation of service projects. This shared fellowship creates a loving, supportive group concerned about each other as they grow together in Christ’s love. Whether single or married, you are welcome to join this group where you can also expect good food and fun times together.
Mid-Week Growth Communities
Diners Club
Wednesday nights, 5:15-6:45pm
(Not meeting November 23)
Contact: Doris VanKooten
Room 167 in the adult wing
Diners Club meets for dinner and a time of fellowship before Bible study / discussion. The group participants represent various ages and backgrounds. Diners Club meets until 6:45 to honor their members who have choir rehearsal.
Truth Seekers - Wednesday Night Bible Study Group
Wednesday nights, 6-7:30pm
Meets year-round; attend when you can! (Not meeting November 23)
Facilitator: Wayne Lazarock
Room 166 in the adult wing
If you are looking for a verse-by-verse study of the Bible, this group is for you! Utilizing John MacArthur’s Gospel of Matthew study guide, you’ll be digging deep into God’s Word as you explore Jesus’ miraculous birth, His response to the test of His kingliness, His miracles, His teachings, and His public ministry. The focus of this study and discussion group is not simply growing in knowledge, but in seeking to live out God’s Word in your daily walk and sharing what those life experiences look like with others. This group meets year-round and is continuously open to new people joining in at any time. For more information, contact Lori at lorib@christmemorial.org or 796-3361.
Connection Groups
Connection groups are groups that gather around a specific purpose or mission. This mission may be caring for hurting people, promoting the well-being of our planet, or even seeking to create an environment where everyone feels connected. These groups are meant to be “one of a kind” – meeting the needs of people and participants. Connection groups meet weekly, monthly, or as often as best serves their purposes. Feel free to visit or join any of the groups listed below.
Contact Lori at lorib@christmemorial.org or 796-3361 for more information
Earthkeepers
Monthly, second Monday nights, 7-8:30pm
Meets year-round
Contacts: Al VerSchure and Jen VerHelst
Room 166 in the adult wing
Because the Lord treasures all of His creation, Earthkeepers is committed to its responsible care and restoration both in our community and beyond.
If you would be interested in ways you can care for creation CLICK HERE for the Earthkeepers page.
Knitters/Hat Looming Group
Monday nights, 6:30-8:30pm
Meets year-round
Contact: Ruby Kickert
Fireside Cafe off the Gathering Place
This group meets on a regular basis to knit/loom hats for children and adults in need. Knitters of all skill levels are welcome to join the group.
Piecemakers Quilters
Tuesday mornings, 9:30-11:30am
Meets year-round
Contact: Debbie Sanderson
Room 165-166 in the adult wing
In this group women gather together for fellowship as they hand-stitch full-sized quilts they have been commissioned to complete as well as T-shirt and baby quilts. The group would love to have more sewers! Basic sewing skills preferred, but no quilting experience required – just a heart for mission projects. Proceeds from their work are donated to organizations helping women and children in the greater Holland area. Women are invited to join us for coffee, goodies, fellowship to help with all phases of creating a quilt!
SUPPORT Groups
For more information on our support groups contact care@christmemorial.org
The care team at Christ Memorial continues to provide pastoral support for people living with mental illness, their families, and their friends, contact us at care@christmemorial.org. For your benefit, the Christ Memorial website also provides a comprehensive list of area mental health contacts and resources HERE.
Dementia Caregiver Support Group
Monthly, second Thursday afternoon, 3-4pm
Facilitator: Alyssa Langejans, Evergreen Commons Caregiver Support Coordinator
Meeting simultaneously in person (Green Room just inside Entrance D) and as a virtual group via Zoom
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October: Grief and Loss through the Caregiving Journey - Processing through the different aspects of grief in relation to being a caregiver of someone who has dementia.
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November: Prepping for the Holidays - Helpful tips and resources to utilize during the holiday season.
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December: Local Resources and Support - Lists and options of different resources in our community.
If you or someone you know has a loved one with dementia or cares for someone with dementia, please join us. We also offer the opportunity for individuals with specific concerns or needs to connect one-on-one with an Evergreen Commons Dementia Support Specialist. For more information on the support group or to be connected with a specialist, contact Melissa Langworthy at melissal@christmemorial.org or 796-3346.
GriefShare
Two group options available - when signing up, please specify which group you would like to be part of.
Group Onsite at Christ Memorial
Monday nights, 6:30pm
Meeting September 12 - December 5
Facilitators: Barb Reilly and Diane Smith
Room 169 in the adult wing
Group at Freedom Village
Monday afternoon, 1-3pm
Meeting September 12 - December 5
Facilitator: Glenda Vetter
Michigan Room (1st Floor) at Freedom Village
Have you experienced the loss of someone close to you and are you walking the lonely road of grief? Please join us! In this group you’ll find a warm and caring environment offering you support and encouragement as you journey through your grief process. For more information or to sign up, contact Melissa Langworthy melissal@christmemorial.org or 616-796-3346. Handbook Cost: $20.
Journey on with Hope - Widow/Widower Support Group
“When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful” (Romans 12:12).
Monthly, second Thursday nights, 6-7:30pm
Meeting September 8, October 13, November 10 and December 8
Facilitator: Heidi Gilcrest
Prayer Room off the Fireside Café
This group is focused on providing continued and ongoing support of widow/widowers during, through, and beyond their grief. Together this group will support each other in prayer, study, and discussion. This September, the group will begin a book study using the book entitled Revelations from Heaven by Randy Kay. They will meet the 2nd Thursday of each month from 6-7:30pm in the Prayer Room. A second meeting each month will be variable - including group dinner or a service project and will be announced in advance in the bulletin. For more information on the group or on the current book being studied, contact Heidi Gilcrest at hgilcrest@hotmail.com. Book Cost: $15.
Narcotics Anonymous
Monthly, third Friday, 7-8:30pm
Meets year-round
Green Room just inside Door D
This is an Open Meeting. If you are struggling with an addiction or you know someone who does, you are welcome to attend our Friday Narcotics Anonymous (NA) open meeting. There is hope and another way to live! Narcotics Anonymous provides an opportunity to listen and learn from the stories of those who are living into their recovery through the 12 steps as they express themselves at our meeting and other meetings in our community. Come and benefit from the support an NA group offers as we daily seek to embrace sobriety. For more information, contact Brandi at 218-6643.
P.A.U.L. (Prisoners, Abandoned, Unloved and Lonely)
Support Group for Families with Incarcerated Loved Ones
Coordinator: Ana Cabrera
The mission of P.A.U.L ministry (Prisoners. Abandoned. Unloved. Lonely.) is to help transform the lives of men and women behind bars with keeping families and our community close to them during time of incarceration. Our community can give them a second chance and help them find true freedom in Christ.
We cannot control the words and actions of others, but we can control where we turn for comfort and support. We help with letter writing and support so that people can continue to see their loved one in prison. All are welcome to help to support these families. If you would like to become a prisoner pen pal, sponsor a prisoner or if you have questions about the PAUL support group, contact Ana Cabrera at 212-6572 or paulsgroup595@gmail.com.