Throughout the year, our congregation explores a different theme each month through small gatherings known as Journey Groups. These groups provide a structured way to connect with others, while delving deeper into your own spiritual journey. The groups involve the shared spiritual practice of deep and respectful listening, which carves out the all-too-rare space in our busy lives to slow down and “hear ourselves think.” These small gatherings of 5-10 people come together for two hours once a month, either at First or in the facilitator’s home, to reflect on a variety of questions related to the theme. Each month, our newsletter New Horizons provides materials that are the basis for group discussions.
If you are thinking of joining, please read the Guide for Deep Listening and the Guide for Journey Group Participants.
Registration for new Journey Groups begins in September.
Themes for 2019/2020:
| Month | Theme | Learn more | Month | Theme | Learn more | ||
| October | Belonging | Read the notes | February | Radical Inclusion | Read the notes | ||
| November | Enough | Read the notes | March | Change | Read the notes | ||
| December | Celebration | Read the notes | April | Living in the Moment | Read the notes | ||
| January | Broken and Whole | Read the notes | May | (TBD) |
Themes for 2018/2019:
| Month | Theme | Month | Theme | Learn more | ||
| October | Abundance | February | Perseverance | Download all the notes | ||
| November | Courage | March | Balance | |||
| December | Hope | April | Emergence | |||
| January | Intention | May | Creativity |
Themes for 2017/2018: What does it mean to be a people of ...?
| Month | Theme | Month | Theme | |||
| September | Covenant | February | Interdependence | Download all the notes | ||
| October | Healing | March | Risk | |||
| November | Identity | April | Transformation | |||
| December | Presence | May | Embodiment | |||
| January | Prophecy |
Themes for 2016/2017: What does it mean to be a people of ...?
| Month | Theme | Month | Theme | |||
| September | Invitation | February | Love and Justice | Download all the notes | ||
| October | Blessing | March | Simplicity | |||
| November | Letting Go | April | Resistance | |||
| December | Expectation | May | Compassion | |||
| January | Creation |
Themes for 2015/2016: What does it mean to be a people of ...?
| Month | Theme | Month | Theme | |||
| September | Promise | February | Reconciliation | Download all the notes | ||
| October | Grace | March | Renewal | |||
| November | Integrity | April | Revelation | |||
| December | Wonder | May | Tradition | |||
| January | Resilience | June | Revelry |
Themes for 2014/2015: What does it mean to live a life of ...?
| Month | Theme | Month | Theme | |||
| September | Kinship | February | Evolution | Download all the notes | ||
| October | Awakening | March | Freedom | |||
| November | Vulnerability | April | Sustainability | |||
| December | Embodiment | May | Story/Stories | |||
| January | Character | June | Imagination |
Themes for 2013/2014: What does in mean to live a life of ...?
| Month | Theme | Month | Theme | |||
| September | Listening | February | Passion | Download all the notes | ||
| October | Purpose | March | Knowing | |||
| November | Courage | April | Wonder | |||
| December | Connection | May | Honesty | |||
| January | Discipline | June | Play |