Synod Small Groups
Small Group Formation
The Small Group Formation Series is based on the small groups method called the International Parish Evangelizing Cells System (PECS). Participating in this training will not only be instructional, but formative. It will allow you to be among the first to learn about, form and participate in a small group at Guardian Angels.
- Session 1: Sunday, Sep 24 at 12:30 p.m.
- Session 2: Sunday, Oct 1 at 12:30 p.m.
- Session 3: Sunday, Oct 8 at 12:30 p.m.
- Session 4: Sunday, Oct 15 at 12:30 p.m.
- Session 5: Sunday, Oct 29 at 12:30 p.m.
- Session 6: Sunday, Nov 5 at 12:30 p.m.
- Session 7: Sunday, Nov 12 at 12:30 p.m.
Each Session will last less than 2 hours, and will include times of prayer, teaching, and small group sharing. Participants are expected to attend all sessions in person.
A light lunch will be provided each Sunday.
Participation in the series does not commit you to lead a small group. Upon the formation's conclusion, there will be a discernment on whether participants will lead a small group starting in Lent 2024.
We hope to follow the example of the disciples to cast our nets far and wide in our parish in hopes of having 72 people join us in Peter O’Neil Hall starting on Sunday, September 24.
Prayerfully discern whether to join us as we aim to grow right here at Guardian Angels!
When: Sundays, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Peter O’Neill Hall
Holy Spirit, renew your wonders in our time, as though in a new Pentecost, and grant that this Archdiocese, united in prayer around Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and guided by St. Peter, may spread the Kingdom of the divine Savior, a Kingdom of truth, of justice, of love, and of peace. Amen.
St Paul, our great missionary patron, pray for us!
Small Group Leader Formation FAQ's
Q. I keep hearing about "small groups." What is going on?
Two years ago the Archbishop made small group ministry the first priority emerging from the Archdiocesan Synod. With the support and leadership of our shepherd, Guardian Angels, along with every parish in the Archdiocese, will kick off this initiative with a seven-week Small Group Leader Formation series this fall, beginning Sunday, September 24 at 12:30 p.m. in Peter O'Neill Hall.
Q. What will happen at this Small Group Leader Formation?
Each session will last about two hours and will include times of prayer, teaching, and small group sharing. We won't just be "learning about small groups," we will be experiencing what a typical small group meeting might look like.
Q. I don't know if I want to lead a small group. Why should I come?
Participation in the series does not commit you to lead a small group. Upon the formation’s conclusion, there will be a mutual discernment, that will include the pastor, on whether each participant will lead a small group starting in Lent 2024 and what type of small group he or she might feel comfortable leading. Furthermore, the formation will help discern other supporting leadership roles within the small group, such as hospitality or prayer ministry, as possible alternatives to being “the leader.”
Q. When is this happening?
Sundays, 12:30pm in Peter O'Neill Hall September 24 - November 12, 2023. (off October 22)
Q. What if I can't make it every Sunday?
Because this series is a formation toward leading small groups, and small group sharing is an important component of it, participants are expected to attend most, if not all sessions, in person. Recognizing that life happens, there will be an ability to "make up" missed sessions virtually, that is intended to be the exception, not the rule. So if you know that you will need to miss more than two sessions, we'd encourage you to wait for another offering of the training.
Q. Sounds awesome. Where do I sign up?
Please let us know by Sept. 22, 2023. Feel free to email us: Lukas Steffensmeier or Deacon Mike.