"Community" is a buzzword thrown around all over the place today--in church, in the corporate world, and in pop culture.  But what does it

mean?  For the Christian, it means that Christianity isn't just about "me and Jesus."  Rather, it is about a group of people from every race, economic class, and background being formed into one family--one community--who together live out the reality of the gospel with each other and to spread that same good news to those around us.  Community is about living life together--laughing together, crying together, encouraging and, yes, even correcting one another--in the Kingdom God has established through the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

Ironically, Sunday worship can, when relied upon as our sole means of connecting to fellow believers, act as an inoculation against true community.  It can give us just enough community to "scratch our itch" and keep us from seeking the real thing.  Sadly, when this is mistaken for "community," believers are cheated out of much of the rich, abundant life Jesus promised.

This is the reason for the Community Group ministry at St. Patrick--to connect believers with each other in smaller groups for fellowship, worship, prayer, and study to the end that true, gospel community might develop and flourish as we meet together and "stir up one another to good works," to quote the author of Hebrews.  Below you will find a list of our community groups, as well as vital information for each.  All groups are open to visitors and would love to have you!  Please feel free to visit any or all of these groups until you find one that is a fit for you!

Fall 2010 Community Groups

Facilitators: Rick & Maureen Rice

Location: 1^st Meeting at Rice Home, 3618 Waterford Cv. S, Collierville; then, rotate among group members

First Meeting: August 22^nd

Time: 6:00 pm

Childcare: None

Food Arrangements: Meal provided by host family

Study: TBD

Contact: Rick Rice (489-7941) or Penny Cunningham (461-3493)

Facilitators: Sean & Elizabeth Garland

Note: This group meets every other Monday!

Meeting @ St. Patrick, possibly moving to a home for following meetings

First Meeting: September 27^th

Time: 6:30

Childcare: Yes

Food Arrangements: TBD

Study: TBD

Contact: Elizabeth Garland (857-4932)

Facilitators: Talley Community Group

meeting @ Burkeen Home, 10830 E. Shelby Dr., Collierville; then rotate among group members’ homes

First Meeting: August 23^rd

Time: 6:30 pm

Childcare: No

Food Arrangements: Meal provided by host family

Study: Discuss Sermons as well as various other topics

Contact: Don Zerillo (854-4115)

Facilitators: Jack & Joyce Shepherd

Note: This group meets every other Wednesday!

Location: TBD

First Meeting: Still undecided; contact Jack Shepherd for more information

Time: TBD

Childcare: None

Food: None

Study: TBD

Contact: Jack Shepherd (854-5163)

Facilitators: Lee & Cheryl McGlamery

Location: McGlamery Home, 1012 Wildbird Lane, Collierville

First Meeting: Aug. 25^th

Time: 6:15-7:30 pm**

Childcare: Yes, at church

Food: Meal, rotation basis

Study: TBD

Contact: Lee or Cheryl McGlamery (854-6783)

Facilitators: Brian & Erika Henson

Location: Henson Home, 633 Fletcher Rd., Collierville

First Meeting: Aug. 25^th

Time: 6:15-7:30 pm**

Childcare: Yes, at church

Food: Yes, but to what extent (snacks or meal), TBD

Study: TBD

Contact: Brian Henson (628-4574)

Facilitators: Harry & Elaine Bartges

Location: Harry & Elaine Bartges’ Home, 591 Rillbrook

First Meeting: Aug. 25^th

Time: 6:15-7:30 pm**

Childcare: Yes, at church

Food: Meal first night, but rest of the semester, TBD

Study: Marriage by the Book

Contact: Harry or Elaine Bartges (861-9597)

Facilitator: Jim Holland

Jim will be starting a new group, but no details (except the Wednesday night time slot) are finalized yet. More information coming soon! Contact Jim (861-3803)

if are interested in becoming a part of this group!

PLEASE NOTE:   **Wednesday night groups end at 7:30 so folks can get to the church to pick up children from WNM.  If your group is running over, please excuse yourself so that you can be to the church to pick up your children by 7:45.