Rhonda,
I think this is a vital part of what churches should be doing.  It is much 
more personal and people who are having problems have a chance to talk and 
listen to each other and praying together in a small group can be wonderful. 
It also give church members a chance to get to know each other.  I am 
delighted for you and Ben.
Virgie and Hoshi
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rhonda Partain" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 12:08 AM
Subject: Re: small group meeting


> These small groups meet in  people's homes,  so it is nice, we had
> vegetable soup, sandwiches,  and coffee, just sat around the bable and
> talked, apparently everyone needed that!
> Rhonda
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: The Electronic Church [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
> Behalf Of Rhonda Partain
> Sent: Monday, February 06, 2006 12:01 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: small group meeting
>
> Hi, at the church I attend there are small groups that meet every couple 
> of
> weeks.  John, and Janie the people I go to chrch with were going to a 
> group
> meeting Saturday and asked me if Ben and I would go.  I said that I'd like
> that, but maybe John could call Ben.  They had talked a few times before
> about music.  John teaches music at the  local high school.  Well, he 
> called
> and Ben said he would go.  And we went, and had a lovely time.  We sat and
> talked, everyone telling some about their life, some more than others. 
> Ben
> said he had learned a lot watching me.  Now that his sight was  not so 
> very
> useful.  He said that he and I often talked about God, and though he 
> hadn't
> been involved in a church, he  knew a lot from our conversations.  He said
> nice things about me... and I felt so encouraged, it was better than an
> unexpected present to hear words of praise from my husband.  Ben said he 
> had
> a good time and he would go again.  The group is going to go through the
> Purpose Driven Life book, or rather it's a video series that goes along 
> with
> the book.
> I was so happy that Ben was with me, it was so nic too, to be away from 
> home
> with out one of our girls.  I love them dearly, but one of them has to 
> drive
> us wherever we go, so... it was just nice to be in the company of other
> couples.  So nice  for once to be a couple... instead of the only woman
> alone  in an otherwise couple group.
> When people are real it makes a difference.
> I just wanted you all to know.
> All the times I thought my  words, my actions were going unnoticed, they
> weren't.  I really think that small groups, are so important, we need a
> support system, and large groups can't offer that.
>
> This is a group in its own way, we support each other, listen to each 
> other,
> and are connected by our love for God.
> Rhonda