LOVING OTHERS – ADULT SMALL GROUPS
Small Groups | Braddock Street UMC
You hear the phrase “small groups” a lot in the church world, but there’s a chance you’ve never heard what they are. At Braddock Street Church, we believe that small groups allow us to share God’s love with others. They give us a community of people to support us in prayer, conversation, sharing faith stories, reading the Bible, and sometimes even sharing a meal. They give us a chance to learn, to ask questions, and to grow in our relationships with God and one another.
This page provides a list of all of our Small Groups at Braddock Street. You’ll see the day of the week, the frequency of the meetings, and a contact for each of the groups.
If you’d like more information, please contact Pastor Ahnnalise.
(Page updated August 7, 2023)
Adult Small Groups
Jubilee: Meeting time and Location: 10:00 am, Sundays in room 135.
Contact Information: Jim Markle, jmarkle10@comcast.net.
Koinonia: Meeting time and Location: 10:00 am, Sundays in room 138.
Contact Information: Anne Brewster, brewsterannes@gmail.com.
Ellen Cavanaugh, elnal1927@yahoo.com. Emily Dickson, tadickson@comcast.net.
Oglesby: Meeting time and Location: 10:00 am, Sundays in room 214, and via Zoom.
Contact Information: Diane Graham, d_graham40@comcast.net
Plus One: Meeting time and Location: 10:00 am, Sundays in room 132.
Contact Information: Bob Brock, rsbrock@aol.com
Seekers: Meeting time and Location: 10:00 am, Sundays in room 137.
Contact Information: Jackie Clippinger, mclippinger105@comcast.net.
United Women in Faith: Meeting time and Location: Varies by circle.
Contact Information: UWF President, Megan Pugh, mpugh08@gmail.com. The current UWF Circles are, Deborah-Ruth, Elizabeth, Esther, Mary-Martha, and Susana
Winchester Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC): Meeting time and Location: Thursdays, 7:30 AM via Zoom. Contact information: Jim Beaupre jim@jimbeaupre.com
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Jubilee
Our small group is called Jubilee and is one of the longest running Sunday School classes at Braddock Street UMC, spanning over 50 years. Most of the members are between 70 to 95 years of age, but everyone is welcome to come and take part sharing and learning of the Lord. We currently have an average attendance of 8 to 14 members. We have several people who take turns teaching each Sunday however all are free to share and to teach. We encourage everyone to openly discuss and ask questions. Everyone participates in selecting books and study material for the Bible based lessons.
We usually start our class sessions with a time of sharing our joys and concerns followed with prayer. We do collect an offering each Sunday with a portion going to the church and each year our class donates a portion of our offering to local charities.
We do have a president and a treasurer who keep up with attendance records. Our president’s name is Jim Markle and his cell # is 540-336-2643 if you wish to contact for more information. Our class is a mixed group made up of couples, widows, widowers and single people. It is a place where we are supportive of each other through prayers, through friendship, and grow in Christian love as we try to help each other deal with senior issues. We hope you join us soon.
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Koinonia
The term Koinonia is defined as Christian fellowship or communion, with God or, more commonly, with fellow Christians. Koinonia is a welcoming, curious and challenged group with a relaxed atmosphere that is flexible and open to a variety of topics from studying scriptures, Bible history, evolution of Christianity, nurturing community, fellowship and more. This class often uses book studies with and without video supplement, having all members serve as facilitators of the group. Koinonia holds several social events each year and is active and supportive of mission work focusing on “Winchester Men’s Rescue Mission” and the “Backpack Food Program”. This class considers every member “family”. Koinonia welcomes any age adult or young adult. The majority of the members are forty and above, some are younger and often have members of our youth join. Originating over 50 years ago, Koinonia has evolved into a fun-loving, open-minded, mission-focused group that enjoys time together in fellowship as well as searching for opportunities to spread love and kindness into the world
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Oglesby
Oglesby Adult Small group is open and affirming of all ages, races, and gender identities. We are bound together through a common interest in fellowship and spiritual growth. Class curriculum is based on faith studies, prayer life, application of Christian principles in today’s world, and current events. Fellowship time is enjoyed before class begins. Outreach and mission projects include: Backpack Ministry, The Evans Home for Children, CCAP, Our Health, The Laurel Center, and the Salvation Army. An elevator close to our room gives easy access for those with mobility issues.
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Plus One
Plus One is a small group that started in January 2018. The “plus one” name signifies that each month we try to do something as a group, outside of normal church routines, whether it be a pool party, dinner out, or just getting out and about as a group.
We are largely a discussion group, not so much a teaching group – although our discussions become a great teaching and learning tool. One person regularly facilitates discussion, but at times volunteers from the class assume facilitation leadership. You can bring your Bible if you wish, but be sure to bring your willingness to engage – or, if you want, just listen and soak it in. We have a class with such wonderful discussion and diversity in age, background, and perspective. We want to be with others who follow Christ and we know that we do not have to agree on everything. Too many of us in the world are surrounding ourselves with others that think like us. Is it possible to not necessarily believe alike, but to love alike? Our group is fairly progressive in thinking and we enjoy examining the Bible and what it teaches us. We welcome everyone to our group.
Plus One started with fifteen people in attendance and usually averages 8-15 each Sunday. We enjoy following the Wesleyan traditions of small groups and we enjoy being United Methodists.
We do not have a set course of study. The group decides what it wants to study and discuss. Whether it is Women of the Bible, a church-wide study, a Lenten study, or a specific book such as Why by Adam Hamilton, or the book Enough by Adam Hamilton, where,
interestingly, the Introduction of the book is entitled, Faith In The Midst of Financial Crisis – a very timely subject for today. Please come join us. You are welcome and will be welcomed!
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Seekers
The Seekers Class is primarily a Bible study class, although we also do a book study or two a year. We like to enhance our worship experience by learning about topics such as the Reredos, the UMC Hymnal, the Chrismon ornaments, the Apocrypha and the Liturgical Calendar. We plan our study topics together but remain open to the idea of going in a new direction based on the needs of the group. We try to keep the homework light, and occasionally take field trips. For example, we spent a Saturday morning in the Sanctuary learning about the stained-glass windows. We are planning to see the performance of David at the Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA after we study the life of David.
The format of this class is group discussion. The role of group discussion facilitator rotates among those class members who volunteer to facilitate. Our discussions are a confidential safe space in which to ask questions, express different viewpoints and provide support for one another. Three or four times a year we host a guest speaker such as the Associate Pastor, the Visitation Pastor and our Organist. We always share our joys and concerns at the end of our class time so we can lift each other up in prayer throughout the upcoming week.
Our class is actively involved in missions. Currently we collect donations quarterly for the Evan’s Home in Winchester. We also participate in Service Worship opportunities and other mission opportunities at BSUMC.
We gather for food and fellowship off site about once a month. Group members volunteer to plan these social events. We chose the name Seekers because we are all seeking to know God, to learn more about the Bible and to grow in our faith.
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United Women in Faith
The United Women in Faith were formerly known as The United Methodist Women. This group has a long history of caring for and empowering women, children, and youth around the world to grow in faith and serve in mission. We have 5 different UWF circles here at Braddock Street.
They are listed below with contact information for their group leaders.
The current UWF president here at Braddock Street is Megan Pugh.
Deborah-Ruth Circle– Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the months September through May
in room 137. (During June, July and August, this Circle will only meet 1 time a month off site.)
Wednesday, June 14th – Glen Burnie gardens at 11:30am; bring bag lunch and a chair
Wednesday, July 19 – meet for lunch at 11:30am at West Oaks Market
Wednesday, August 16 – meet at Cross Creek Community Center at 11:30 for a potluck.
Contact Susan Chesley (lschesley@gmail.com) or Janet Keithley (JanetKeithley@aol.com)
Elizabeth Circle– Meets every 3rd Sunday at 6:00 pm.
Contact Donna Gutierrez (dgutierrez@ihmcloans.com) or Shelley Lewis (lewisks@comcast.net)
Esther Circle– Meets every 2nd Thursday at 7:00pm online.
Contact Nancy Walsh (walshpn@visuallink.com)
Mary- Martha Circle– Meets every 3rd Monday at 10:00 am in room 132.
Contact Sue Boltz (sboltzmno@gmail.com)
Susanna Circle– Meets every 2nd Thursday at 10:00 am in room 135.
Contact Susan Creasy (srjjj@visuallink.com) or Susan Morris (4ghmorris@comcast.net)
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Winchester Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC)
Winchester Christian Business Men’s Connection (CBMC) is a men’s weekly study of God’s word and its application in the world today. A casual, no cost, non-denominational study of how Christian men can function in today’s world. Hosted by Jim Beaupre jim@jimbeaupre.com, (703) 618-7859, who is a member of Braddock Street United Methodist Church.
This group meets every Thursday mornings from 7:30 am to 9:00 am via ZOOM. A diverse group with not only men from Winchester but with Christian men from other areas as well.
Call or email Jim with any questions regarding this men’s group or to receive the ZOOM meeting link. No matter where you are in your Christian walk, a new believer or a follower all your life, you will enjoy meeting with other men and seeing how God’s Word can change men’s lives.