Dear Friends, 

“So deeply do we care for you that we are determined to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you have become very dear to us.”                            –1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NRSV)

Many of us pass through the doors of the sanctuary on Sunday morning longing. We’re longing for deep, authentic relationships—with God, with others. We’re parched for connections that move beyond rehearsed movements and surface pleasantries to get at the real joys and heartaches, struggles, and questions of life. We’re hungry for real, authentic life with God, together.
 
Community Groups at First Pres Berkeley are not a ministry “program” but a way of living life together in Christian community. In these groups, we are welcomed and invited to be our real selves. We listen deeply to one another’s lives and Scripture, reflecting together on the movement of God we see in both. We care and pray for one another. We partner together in the work God is doing in our local communities and world. In this way, we share with one another not only the gospel of God but our own selves.
 
This spring, more than 300 First Pres adults of all ages and stages of life are gathering in more than 35 community groups throughout the Bay Area to experience the riches of life together in Christian community. I pray that these will be transformative spaces of belonging, growing, and serving together—in this and in future seasons. 
 
With thanks to God for this community, which has indeed become very dear to me,
 
Michelle Vecchio-Lyzenga
Director for Community Life

Finding My Way to Belong at First Pres
An exciting and nervous venture into Community Group life
By Audrey Benevedes

I had an ambivalent experience becoming a Christian in early 2017. On one hand, I was finally beginning to understand and feel God's infinite love. On the other hand, I felt very alone and disconnected from everyone in my daily life. I desperately craved Christian fellowship; friendships within the Church that would inspire and mentor me in my new faith.
 
My first time attending First Pres was on Easter 2017, and I was intrigued by the packed house of smiling congregants and encouraged by a kind man who showed me where to find the nursery. Although my first experience at First Pres was good, I knew that cultivating friendships from a crowd of strangers would be a challenge for me. I kept coming to Sunday services for several months, but only had brief chats with a few people here and there. I had no idea how to turn "greeting your neighbor" into building a relationship. I decided the best thing I could do was to pray for God to give me an opening to begin a friendship with someone. God answered that prayer one day when my son started playing with another toddler after church. I exchanged info with the mom who eventually invited me to join her Community Group.
 
I had no idea what to expect in a Community Group. I was excited to be in a small group setting, but I was also very nervous.

Once I began attending, I was surprised at how quickly and easily I felt comfortable being open and even vulnerable in our group. It was so encouraging to have others sharing deeply personal things about their lives and their faith with me, that it was very natural for me to do the same in return. It was particularly helpful to have a group of loving women around me as I held space for my husband on his faith journey. We were able to pray for him together and rejoice together when he too came to faith in Christ.
 
Having been in the group for six months now, I am no longer nervous before we meet, but I am still excited. I know that each time we gather I am cultivating meaningful friendships. I am constantly encouraged and inspired by how my fellow members navigate their lives, and I am comforted by how often we are sharing similar experiences. God has quieted my mind enough to truly listen to everyone in my group.

I have learned that there are so many insights to be gained from listening to how others are hearing and receiving God's word. I have found the community and sense of belonging that I was originally seeking in a Church, and feel deeply connected to First Pres through the gift of this supportive and loving community.