Small Groups
Our small groups are a place to share ideas, struggles, joys and prayer. It is a place to make and be with friends. They are a place for the Holy Spirit to guide us through others' listening and caring. They are a place for spiritual growth. You are invited to find your place.
Seekers (Schoolfield Room)
We are studying UNBINDING the Gospel: Real Life Evangelism, 2nd edition, by the Rev. Martha Grace Reese, former senior pastor of the Carmel Disciples of Christ Church. The underlying research was funded by Indianapolis' Lilly Endowment and the book has been used in more than 15,000 congregations across the U.S. and abroad. 10 AM in the Schoolfield Room. All welcome. Coffee pot always on.Epworth Millenials
This group of young adults (20s and early 30s) meets weekly on Wednesdays for social gatherings at 7pm--with the possibility of a future Sunday morning class. We read books together, discuss current issues, and have social outings at local restaurants. Interested? Contact the group through the email box epworthmillenials@gmail.com or check the event calendar on the homepage for more information.
Covenant Discipleship Groups
A mutual accountability group, this is for people who feel called by God to intentional discipleship and be held accountable by friends. Covenant is made to practice daily prayer with scripture, regular worship, and percentage giving and weekly sharing with the group. Emphasis is on what you have done each week and not on what you have experienced. New groups are forming NOW! There are sign up sheets on the bulletin board in church lobby. Stop by and sign up.
Friends of Thomas
A Reconciling Community for the spiritually adventurous! We take our name from the disciple Thomas who asked questions and had doubts. Bring your questions and doubts and join us. We are reading Howard Falco's I Am: The Power of Discovering Who You Really Are. If you'd like a preview of what this book is about, check out this interview with the author from Unity Radio.
Friends of Thomas meet Tuesday evenings at 7:30 at the church. Look for us in the Conference Room.
Intercessory Prayer Group
Receiving prayer requests by phone, this group prays through a phone tree for concerns of the congregation and community. Call the church office to volunteer or request prayer (317) 251-1481.
Stephen Ministry
Trained Stephen Ministers are available to persons in the congregation who are in need of support during difficult times in their lives (grief, illness, change), to listen, be a friend and a prayer support. For more information about being a Stephen Minister or receiving care, contact Diaconal Minister, Pat Engel.
Stitchers
For the last several years, volunteers from the Epworth congregation and ladies who like to sew/knit have been creating beautiful prayer shawls, simple baby blankets and lap robes, bags for YES kits, winter scarves/hats, and other items to be given to those in need of a love gift. Our group is made of people who like to create beautiful, functional items or those who can cut fabric into squares, assemble layette kits, and more. We welcome new faces anytime! If you are interested in our group, contact Karen Johnston (317-849-2382) or Jane Billheimer (317-294-4940) for more information and see the homepage calendar for our meeting times and location. Read about our exciting recent donations!
The Stitchers would like to express our gratitude to all who have supported our projects this year : the Mission Committee for their financial assistance, those who have contributed fabric, yarn, children’s books, infant clothes, toys ,and/or baby toiletries, the Women’s Bible Study class for assembling layettes with us and most of all those of you who have ‘stitched’ for us. It’s magical and so heartwarming to find the packages you leave for us with the wonderful handmade baby blankets, scarves, hats, quilts and shawls that you have lovingly created. With your aid we have been able to gift 55 lap robes and 25 shruggies to nursing homes; 8 baby blankets for baptism’s; 28 shawls for those needing comfort; 100 baby layettes and 21 baby blankets to healthcare clinics, the mothers with babies program at the women‘s prison, an IPS alternative school project and Forest Manor; plus 138 scarves and hats to East 10th Street and Forest Manor. THANK YOU for all that you do for us that enables us to do these projects for others.We would invite anyone interested in this mission project to attend one of our work sessions: the knitters meet at 7:00 PM every Monday and the sewers meet the1st and 3rd Wednesday at 1:00 PM in Fellowship Hall. Pre-cut kits for baby blankets are available for pick-up in the coat room.
Women's Groups
We are starting a new book on May 5th. "When All Else Fails Read the Instructions" by James Moore. This is a study going over the Beatitudes and the Ten Commandments. Please join us for great discussions and a cup of coffee!
Women are invited to share their struggles, celebrations, devotions and prayers in monthly gatherings. One of these groups is the UMW (United Methodist Women) and we are open to new members and visitors. Contact the church for more information on joining one of these groups.
Celebration Circle
Celebration Circle is a women’s group that meets the second Monday of the month (except June – August) to share in fellowship, prayer, and good food. Most members are 60+ and would be delighted to share with and learn from women of all ages. Programs cover a variety of topics that include spiritual and community issues and book reviews. Most meetings have devotions, a program, prayer circle, and refreshments. Often fellowship and building personal relationships take center stage. For more information, contact either Nancy Beal (nancyalbeal@sbcglobal.net; 317-294-2018) or Karen Burch (karengburch@gmail.com; 317-409-4733), co-leaders.
Upcoming meetings:
- February 11 - 7 p.m. Alta Coplen and Betty Roeschlein will be hostesses and Melba Schulte will lead the devotion. The program.will be given by John Ridder, who designs labyrinths. He will provide a history of labyrinths and current-day uses of labyrinths.
- March 11 - 7 p.m. Jean Carr will be hostess and Valerie Miller will lead the devotion. Phyllis Newton will provide information about the UMW prison ministry in Indiana's Women's Prison and let us know what we can do to help these women.
- April 8 - 7 p.m. Alta Coplen will lead the devotion. Jim Nutt will present the program on Accent on Indianapolis and his experiences providing hospitality and tours to visitors to our city.
- May 13 - 6:30 p.m. Salad Supper
Dorcas Circle
Dorcas Circle will be having our May meeting on Fri. May 18th at 11:00 AM. Back by popular demand we will be having our "White Elephant Exchange" which was postponed in Dec. We will be having a salad pitch-in afterward. So please bring a salad or a dessert to share! Let me know if you are able to attend. Everyone is welcome! Teri Wann 577-1935. or e-mail me teriwann2603@comcast.net
Dorcas was also called Tabitha in the Bible. She was a disciple who was always doing good, helping the poor. When she fell ill, Peter knelt with her and prayed for her to get up. And she did!
Dorcas Circle members are inspired by our namesake to develop our Christian sisterhood through:
- Loving, lighthearted fellowship, complete with breakfast goodies and coffee
- Gentle book studies
- Annual fall weekend retreats in nature
- Annual perennial flower exchanges
- Creation/maintenance of the Meditation Garden in memory of Dorcas sister Peggy Jeffries
- Annual pool party/luncheon
- Participating in small, quiet ministries as well as supporting UMW's global ministries
Dorcas Circle meets on the third Friday of the month in the large conference room at 9:30-11:30 a.m. Come for the coffee; stay for the sisterhood!
Questions? contact Susy Murphy at murphys@epworthindy.org.