Companions in Christ

Most of us want to experience intimacy with God and to have a deeper relationship with Christ. One of the clearest paths to experiencing God is in a sharing and caring small group that values prayer and that listens for the movement of the Holy Spirit.

Companions in Christ provides paths for each of us to grow closer to God. It involves approximately 20-30 minutes of daily reading and reflecting, plus a small group meeting with fellow companions once a week for approximately 11/2 - 2 hours. These elements help create the space for God to draw near and abide with each person. Companions in Christ is open to anyone, including non-members of UCUMC.

This program is truly an inspiring spiritual growth program. We believe it will make a difference in your life as it has in the lives of those who have participated, and it will encourage renewal in the life of our congregation.

Please read the following excerpts from testimonials of some of our former participants:

"Perhaps you have come to this time and place with questions and feet dragging as I did, thinking, "Just one more meeting." I can guarantee you will feel completely the opposite and not want to miss by the time you have met a few weeks. The presence of the Lord will be felt in and through each meeting. I felt very close to God each week as lessons "spoke" to me in new and meaningful ways. New ways of praying and connecting with God's spirit in me have helped to deepen my love for Him and that spirit flowed over the whole group." Marilyn Birmingham

"Companions in Christ is a class that will demystify spiritual formation and put you on a path of continued
growth. You can begin wherever you presently are ...there are no prerequisite classes. You will find ways to nurture your soul and make it your center from which all of your thoughts and actions resonate. You will find yourself growing spiritually through God's gentle graces and you will contribute to the growth of others also. God will not do it all for you, but as you seek Him through your weekly readings you will find his hand more and more present in all that you are. It is not a self-help class or one of problem solving. It is not a class of right and wrong answers, but a sharing of thoughts and experiences. As you participate you find clarity and vision. You will sing together, pray together, and find joy together as you discover that God resides gracefully in your soul." Joyce Glessner

"The presence of the Lord will be felt in and through each meeting. I felt very close to God each week as lessons 'spoke' to me in new and meaningful ways. New ways of praying and connecting with God's Spirit in me have helped to deepen my love for Him and that spirit flowed over the whole group."

Companions in Christ
A poem by Diana Brown

Companions in Christ,
what has it meant to me?
A spiritual exploration
of who God wants me to be.

It's helped me to remember
each and every day,
how very important
it is to pray.

It's been a time of introspection
and a time of relating to others.
Sharing insights
with our sisters and brother.

I'm glad the Lord has lead me
to this time and to this place,
for with my Companions in Christ,
again I've experienced God's grace.

Catch the Spirit...Spread the Joy!