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.
For assistance in starting a new group or for getting connected into a current group
contact our Connections Coordinator, Lynn White, at lynnw@christmemorial.org.
Don’t miss out – be part of a group because life is better when lived together!
YOUNG ADULT GROUP
Encounter
Monthly, first Tuesday night, 6:30-8pm
Contacts: Brad and Patti Laninga
Fireside Café off of 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 has a teacher/facilitator, a care coordinator, and a mission coordinator, and 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 and less regularly and more informally throughout the summer. All groups are open to new people joining in.
Sunday Morning Growth Communities
Sunday morning groups groups meet September - mid-December and January - April or May.
Child care is available for infants and toddlers and Children’s Ministries opportunities are
available for children while parents or guardians attend a Sunday morning group or class.
Friends In Christ
This Sunday morning group will resume in September
Contact: Judie Zylman
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.
GAP (Gradually Aging People)
This Sunday morning group will resume in September
Contact: Laurie Boer
This group includes couples and singles ages 50-60 something. They meet following the worship service for fellowship and to discuss the sermon.
This is Us ~ Adventures In Family
This Sunday morning group will resume in September
Contacts: Doug and Jane Finn, Ron and Sue Hemmeke, Jeanne Lindell, Paul and Conni VandeBunte
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
Sunday night groups meet September - mid-December and January - April.
Faith In Action
This Sunday night group will resume in September
Contacts: Rich Herbig and Sherrie Wolthuis
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)
This Sunday night group will resume in September
Contacts: Mel and Bev Assink, Mary Lou Bogema, Bob and Marcia Gustavson,
Dave and Sally Hoekstra, David and Mary Wierenga
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!
Prime Time
This Sunday night group will resume in September
Contacts: Vern and Eunie Jurgens, Leon and Louise Koops, Kathy Lubbers, and Tom and Donna Tuls
A fun group of Christ-followers who study, serve, and pray together. This group of believers supports each other in both good and bad times with their prayers, cards, and meals as they grow together in Christ’s love. Whether single or married, you are welcome to join the group. Expect good food and good fellowship from this vibrant, caring, and joyful group!
Mid-Week Growth Communities
Child care is available for infants and toddlers and Children’s Ministries opportunities are
available for children while parents or guardians attend a Wednesday night group or class.
Diners Club
This Wednesday night group will resume in September
Contact: Doris VanKooten
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
Bible study for men and women
Summer Schedule: Wednesday nights, June 1, 15 and 29, July 13 and 27, August 10 and 24, and September 7; 6-7:30pm
Meets year-round; attend when you can!
Facilitator: Wayne Lazarock
During the summer this group meets off-site at the home of Joe and Ana Cabrera
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 of the Gathering Place
This group meets on a regular basis to knit/loom hats for children and adults in need.
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. Proceeds from their work are donated to organizations helping women and children in the greater Holland area.
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, 3-4pm
Facilitator: Alyssa Langejans, Evergreen Commons Caregiver Support Coordinator
Green Room just inside Door D
If you or someone you know has a loved one with Dementia or cares for someone with Dementia, please join us. For more information, contact Melissa Langworthy at melissal@christmemorial.org or 796-3346.
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JUNE - Summer Safety and Activity Tips: Tips and tools to maintain a safe and enjoyable summer.
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JULY - What to Expect on your Caregiving Journey: How to prepare financially, emotionally, socially for the future while caregiving and resources to help along the way.
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AUGUST - Dementia 101: What is dementia, how is it affecting the brain, and how does that affect the caregiver helping their loved one.
We also offer the opportunity for individuals with specific concerns or needs to connect one-on-one with an Evergreen Commons Dementia Support Specialist. If you would like to be connected with a specialist, contact Melissa Langworthy using the contact information listed above. She will connect you with an Evergreen Commons Dementia Support Specialist.
GriefShare
This support group will be offered again in the future
Facilitators: Barb Reilly and Diane Smith
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. If you are interested in future offering of this class please let us know! For more information, contact care@christmemorial.org.
Healing Hearts - The Hem of His Garment
Facilitator: Mary Lorence
Healing Hearts is a group study of God’s Word that helps bring about healing for women who have suffered loss, sexual abuse, divorce, rape, and other trauma. It provides a safe place where they can openly share their pain with other women without fear of judgement or condemnation. For more information or to sign up to be part of this group study, contact Mary Lorence at marylo@healinghearts.org or 836-4098.
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)
Facilitator: Heidi Gilcrest
Contact: Melissa Langworthy at melissal@christmemorial.org or Heidi Gilcrest at hgilcrest@hotmail.com
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 fellowship, prayer, study, and discussion. On the first Thursday of the month for the summer, beginning Thursday, June 2, this group will be meeting once a month for dinner and a time of fellowship. For more information, contact Heidi Gilcrest at hgilcrest@hotmail.com .
Narcotics Anonymous
Meets year-round
Contact: Lynn White
Green Room just inside Door D (both nights)
Wednesday nights - Weekly, 7-8pm
This is a Closed Meeting. Only those who are struggling with addiction can attend this meeting.
Only those addicted and/or looking to overcome their addiction are invited to attend our Wednesday night Narcotics Anonymous (NA) closed meeting. The closed meeting session is anonymous (first names only) so that you have the privacy you need to talk openly about your addiction.
Friday nights - Monthly, third Friday, 7-8:30pm
This is an Open Meeting. Currently the only open NA meeting in Holland.
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 each NA group offers as we daily seek to embrace sobriety. For more information, contact Brandi at 218-6643 or Lynn at lynnw@christmemorial.org or 796-3362.
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.
The Village
Friday mornings, 10-11:30am
Contact: Brittany Lanning
The Jungle in the children's wing
In The Village, we are creating a space for community, belonging, and connection. We are seeking to restore “the village” in our journey of raising children. Our gathering and support for one another is a way to remind ourselves that we don't have to do it alone, of our purpose as caregivers for children, and of our purpose in serving Christ. (Please note: no staffed childcare will be provided during group meetings, but The Jungle will be available for children to play in while caregivers meet. Also, The Jungle is not open to the general public on Fridays, but caregivers are welcome to come with their children if they are interested in being part of this support/community-building group.) This group is for parents, guardians, grandparents and others who are caregivers of children. For more information, email Brittany at brilanning7@yahool.com .