SMALL CHURCH COMMUNITIES

Why should I join a small church community?
A small church community is a group of 6 to 12 people who gather on a regular basis (often weekly or every other week) to talk about the ways their faith meets daily life. Being in a small community complements an adult’s individual study and prayer and participation in Sunday Eucharist by providing an opportunity to reflect on the events of our lives (and God’s presence to us in them) with a handful of others in a confidential setting. The Sunday scripture readings are the focus for most of the small church communities in our parish – though some groups are using the Why Catholic? program and its focus on the catechism this coming year. There are plenty of existing groups to choose from (and the possibility of forming a new one) so that you can find a group and a focus that works for you.

All small groups at St. John’s follow a process that includes prayer, reading from the scriptures, reflection together using prepared questions, sharing some of the important events of our lives, and closing with prayer. We currently have more than 30 groups meeting at all times of the day and all days of the week – they meet at whatever time, day, and place that is most convenient for them. We are always ready to help form new groups or to help an individual find a small group to belong to – many groups are actively seeking a new member or two!

Call Peter Barbernitz at 410 964-1430 and get started now!

Resources
Exploring the Sunday Readings, with a new focus on whole community catechesis, continues to be available at no charge in the SCC office at Oakland Mills or at the welcome tables at Wilde Lake and Oakland Mills on the first weekend of each month.

Web Sites
The following web sites contain scripture reflections and background for the Sunday readings:
St. Louis University
Text is available in English and Spanish

Select a Sunday
Spirituality for Sunday, posted 2 weeks in advance, contains questions for reflection of the Sunday readings. Getting to Know the Readings, posted 3 weeks in advance, offers a variety of forms:

• Historical Cultural Text
• Preparing for Sunday (explanation followed by reflection tying the text to modern life)
• Scripture in Depth (scholarly analysis of all three readings)
• Study of the Readings
• The Word Embodied
• Thoughts from the Early Church

Felix Just, S. J. of Loyola Marymount University
Site offers numerous links including Gospel comparison charts categorized by structure & geography; literary style and theme; and historical background issues

SCC Library
The small church community service team has collected a variety of materials for an SCC lending library, housed in Peter Barbernitz’s office. All items are available to anyone interested. The materials fall into three categories:

• Books and videos offering advice and support for pastoral and meeting facilitators
• Basic and supplementary resources for SCC gatherings
• Videos for those who want to learn more about the history and practice of small church communities

Logistics are simple: Browse the shelves or review the "catalog" on the web or in the SCC office, borrow resources that interest you and, when you are finished, return them.

Parish SCC Leadership
Peter Barbernitz • 410-964-1430
Pat LoPiano • 410-997-9292
Barry Parker • 410-795-3120
Jackie Roberson • 410-997-8467
Peggy Stuppy • 410-992-1965
Fr. Dick Tillman • 410-964-1427

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