Community Groups

Community and connection are important to the Apostles parishioners. The people of Apostles see each other as a spiritual family that extends beyond the walls of the church building. As such, we demonstrate hospitality to one another and genuinely enjoy being around one another, growing together in our faith. Many groups have come to being and have sprung to life post-COVID in our parish, including formal church groups and informal gatherings. While there are only a few formal “small groups,” we have found that the parishioners are hungry for and actively engaging in community activities through groups that are healthy and well-established in the life of the church. The community activity at Apostles is a great strength and attendance is lively and intentional. The church utilizes an online app, Sharefaith, to keep parishioners connected and up to date on church activities.

The formal community groups fall into two basic categories: small groups held within our walls and those held outside our walls. 

Apostles hosts two primary groups within our walls during the week:

• Each Tuesday there is a Rector’s Bible Study. 

• Wednesday there is a Women’s Book Study, which is led by laity.

Outside our walls, Apostles members participate in a variety of groups, each with their unique identity and purpose. These include:

• Little Church Group meets on Tuesdays with dinner and guided conversation.

• A Men’s group meets on Wednesday evenings for building friendships, encouraging an emotionally healthy spiritual life, and praying for others. This group opens up to friends of attendees quarterly for a barbecue.

• Women’s Contemplative Prayer Group meets on alternating Wednesdays for women interested in practicing listening prayer and having God conversations.

• Ladies of the Lake meets on alternating Wednesdays (in tandem with the Women’s Contemplative Prayer Group) and is open to any women looking for relaxed fellowship and encouragement.

• A second Men’s Group is held on Fridays for friendships and conversation. 

• Every third Sunday of the month, there is a gathering of Young Adults and Families, which extends a wide net of invitation for anyone post-college: singles, couples, and/or families with young children. This group meets for a meal and fellowship, but occasionally will meet out at a restaurant or other establishment for food and fun. This is an open group that also sees participation from non-Apostles and/or unchurched friends and neighbors.

• This past spring, two Young Adult and Young Family (YAYF) Small Groups were launched. One group meets on Tuesdays for dinner, worship, discussing scripture and walking forward in faith together. The second group meets on Wednesdays for light refreshments, fellowship, and God conversations.