Grouping with Strangers?

A September 2001 Fourth Day article
(reprinted in the National Fourth Day Magazine).

At the last Ultreya we had small Group Reunions. I know some people aren't comfortable with the idea of sharing with people they don't know very well. While I understand this feeling, I pray that more of us will take a leap of faith and "just do it."

Ultreya Group Reunions have brought new energy and focus into that little card that I carry around in my wallet. In Group Reunions that meet regularly, we can find ourselves falling into a routine that may stifle our thinking about Piety, Study and Action. The NEC Group Reunion pamphlet cautions against becoming "mechanical and formal," and I've found that Ultreya Group Reunions go a long way to prevent this. Being exposed to new groups from time to time brings a fresh perspective and new meaning to the words "nourishing your vital union with Christ," and "understanding the gift of God and forming your mind after the mind of Christ."

Small Group Reunions at Ultreya have provided me with a "moment in time" with people I wouldn't otherwise have touched in a deep spiritual way. Once in a while at a Cursillo or church gathering, I look across the room and catch the eye of someone I "grouped" with at an Ultreya, only once, maybe years ago. When we look at each other, there is a deeper spiritual connection based on that one-time Group Reunion. I believe this connection is what forms the heart of a strong community in Christ.

At our Council retreat March 9th, we used the scripture from James 2:20-26, focusing on the following questions:

• Where is your faith and where are your actions?
• What do you need for your faith to grow?
• What do you need for your actions to grow?
• What does it mean to be lined up in the will of God?

Basically, we had a Group Reunion that gave us new life, new commitment to each other new energy, and new direction to change environments for and through Christ.

In my opinion, Ultreyas and Councils that stay effective are most often the ones that include small Group Reunions on a regular basis. Group Reunions (of all kinds) give us an incredible opportunity to love our brothers and sisters in a deeper way. They help us open our hearts to the Holy Spirit who breathes fresh, healing life into our relationships with others, in and outside the Group Reunion.

Take a moment to read the NEC pamphlet on Group Reunions. If you don't have one, let me know and we'll get one to you. It's not very long, but it will impact your desire to form and improve all of the Group Reunions in your life. Edward Bonin, a Cursillo movement founder, said, "We must bear in mind that Group Reunions are not held so that there may be people to attend Cursillos, but the Cursillos are held so that there are people to make a Group Reunion."

I believe that the world is more changed by the power of small groups, rather than sweeping social initiatives or big media evangelism. In Acts, it's clear that the disciples took their meals together and were of "one heart and soul." What's the best way to build this kind of life giving, spiritually transforming community in our hectic, over-worked, stressed-out world? The same way as in the early church through small groups.

Please join me in praying that we'll all take every possible opportunity to breathe new life into our small groups, because they are an irreplaceable source of where we find God's heart and direction for truly effective apostolic action.

Ultreya!
Janet Jendron
Council President

1115 Marion Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201 | 803-771-7800