What are Grow Groups?
At Light of Christ UMC, our Grow Groups are designed to be spaces where community and transformation take root. We desire to be a place where all people—regardless of background or experience—can come with their questions, their stories, and their longing to belong. These three categories—Inclusive Faith, Active Love, and Kin-dom Work—reflect the heart of our mission: to nurture an inclusive faith and live out active love.
While each group may focus on a particular theme, we recognize that our journey with God is rarely linear. Faith, growth, and justice often overlap, weaving together in surprising and beautiful ways. That’s the nature of an expansive, ever-unfolding Divine story—one that invites us to explore, to wonder, and to grow together in community.
We hope you will join us!
Upcoming Grow Groups
To learn more about upcoming Grow Groups, check out the registration page on Church Center.
Still have questions? Click the button below to email our team, and we will help you connect!
Next Steps:
A New Family
Grateful
Sundays, June 14 - July 12, 9:30-10:15 am
Join our Sunday morning discussion group for our next film series. The films contain conversations inspired by Diana Butler-Bass’ book Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks. In her book, Diana not only offers us an opportunity for a personal and systemic transformation, but also welcomes us into her own personal journey with gratitude.
Upper Room
Ongoing, Thursdays 11:30-12:30
This hybrid group is led by Pastor Marianne and meets every Thursday at 11:30 pm in Room 104. You can also join via zoom by emailing marianne@locumc.org
Registration not required!
Mondays at Middle James
Mondays, June 1 - August 17, 6:00 pm
Join us every Monday, June 1 - August 17, for food, fellowship, and drinks. See you at 6 PM in the taproom at Middle James! No registration is necessary; come when you can.
The Ragamuffin Gospel Book Study
Thursdays, June 23 - August 13, 11:30-12:30
Are you bedraggled, beat-up, burnt-out?
Most of us believe in God's grace--in theory. But somehow we can't seem to apply it in our daily lives. We continue to see Him as a small-minded bookkeeper, tallying our failures and successes on a score sheet.
Yet God gives us His grace, willingly, no matter what we've done. We come to Him as ragamuffins--dirty, bedraggled, and beat-up. And when we sit at His feet, He smiles upon us, the chosen objects of His "furious love."
Gardening Ministry
Spring planting season is rapidly approaching. We need a group of volunteers to help plan, prepare our beds, plant, and care for our community garden.
Sign up to let us know that you are interested and we will reach out to you.
Volunteers do not need to be church members, just have an interest in gardening.
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Coffee and Conversations
Sundays, June 14 - July 12, 9:30-10:15 am
Rachel Held Evans is quoted as saying, “The folks you are shutting out of the church today will be leading it tomorrow. The future is in the margins.” If we are resurrection people, are we willing to let the ways of doing Church that do not serve God, ourselves, or our neighbors, die? If God throws open the doors of the church, who are we to monitor them, or worse, close them? When the doors are locked and the requirements for inclusion are narrow, are we willing to become sanctuaries ourselves?
Coffee & Conversation with Pastor Marianne - A conversation about important faith questions. Attend as you are able this summer!
Location: Starbucks at Stonecrest (beside the Crumbl shop)
Sunday, June 28th - Why is God so hidden and seemingly silent?
Wednesday, July 8th - How can I walk with God through pain/suffering?
Sunday, July 19th - What does the Bible teach about judgment and hell?
Wednesday, July 29th - Aren't we better off without religion?
Sunday, August 9th - Does Christianity claim to be the one true faith?
Wednesday, August 19th - Why are so many Christians homophobic/transphobic?
Sunday, August 30th - How should Christians respond to the injustices and divisions we are facing?
Top 10 Events of the Bible
Mondays, July 20 - August 17, 7:00-8:30 pm
Join Pastor Marianne & Lisa Ballard for a study on the Top 10 Events of the Bible. We will study 5 major events of the Old Testament and 5 major events of the New Testament, which give us the overarching outline of the Salvation Story. Bring your Bible and meet with us in Room 104 of our Phase 1 Building for five consecutive Monday nights. If you are traveling during one of the class sessions, a Zoom option will be available so that you can still join the class.
