At Advent, we believe that growth happens in groups, and we encourage everyone to join together on a journey of discipleship. Choosing to commit to a LifeGroup allows us all to share our journey, our hurdles, and our love for God together. Strengthen your bond to your community and Jesus Christ through small group learning.
Our vision for Adult Ministry at Advent is to build a community of adults who are actively engaged in their faith journey. Our mission is “To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.” We believe we can do this through encouraging and nurturing adults to continue to grow in their relationship with Christ by gathering to worship, growing in groups and serving in our community.
At Advent, we call our small groups, LifeGroups. We call them “LifeGroups” because we believe that God has called us to be in community and through living life and growing spiritually together we can make a greater difference in our world.
We have a strong collection of established LifeGroups that meet weekly or, in some cases, monthly and span all different age ranges and life stages.
Pete Aubin, our Director of Discipleship and Connections, oversees all LifeGroups. We encourage you to find an established LifeGroup, but if you have an idea for a new LifeGroup, let Pete know!
Below you will find all LifeGroups currently meeting as part of Advent’s Adult Ministry. Feel free to scroll through them all, or use the filters below to find one that might be best suited for you. If you’re ready to receive more information, click the “Learn More” button below.
The Adventurers enjoy some great discussion concerning our faith journey as we seek to apply God’s word into our daily lives. We enjoy getting together for fellowship outside of class and being involved in the missions of the church.
Meeting Time: 10:15 am on Sunday
Location: E108
Who: Men & Women, Late 30’s to Early 50’s
Agapé Circle (Agapé, meaning love as revealed in Jesus) holds a Bible study discussion with refreshments and fellowship at each meeting and celebrates Christmas & End of the Year parties in May for the circle each year. Agape Circle also hosts Halloween, Christmas, and Easter events for the girls at Marie Yount’s Home for Teenage Girls and assists with prom items if needed in the spring. This Circle also supports Backpack Blessings and IHN (Interfaith Hospitality Network). All women are invited to participate.
Meeting Time: 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 pm
Location: C101, Dining Room
Who: Women, 30s-60s
Our Bible is a magnificent book that shares how God has loved us from Adam and Eve to his ultimate gift of Jesus and his life, death and resurrection. The Old and New Testaments share a unified story of wisdom for our modern world. Jesus was a Jew and knew well the texts of the Old Testament and he often quotes them as evidence of his mission as the Messiah. If you want to learn more about the unified story of God’s love for us, then please join us. We will use the videos, podcasts and resources of The Bible Project. (see example links below) Our group will decide on which Biblical topics to tackle.
Meeting Time: Thursdays, 6:00pm
Location: C102
Who: Men & Women, All Ages
This Bible study meets every Thursday morning at 6:00 am. A light breakfast is enjoyed followed by a study of scripture. The group ends at 7:00 am with prayer. The Brothers also serves breakfast for March Mission Madness, other special church events, and other missions as the need and opportunities arise.
Meeting Time: 6:00 am on Thursday
Location: Christian Life Center Dining Room, C101
Who: Men, All Ages
The group is designed to provide caregivers with emotional, educational, and social support on a monthly basis. All caregivers, regardless of the diagnosis or level of disability of your loved one are welcome.
Meeting Time: Second Thursday of the Month at 2:00 pm
Location: Education Building, E112
Who: All caregivers
Companions in Accountability is a breakfast group for men of all ages that meets every Tuesday morning at 8:30 am at one of the local restaurants. Their topics of discussion vary from everyday life issues to studies of books of the Bible.
Meeting Time: Tuesdays at 8:30am
Location: Meeting at local restaurants
Who: Men, All Ages
Emmanuel Circle’s mission is the Shepherd’s Gate Women’s Shelter. Emmanuel Circle collects toiletries and other needed items to give to the women every month. This Circle is fondly known as the “Chicken Pot Pie” Circle because of its November fundraiser to support Shepherd’s Gate. At each meeting, the ladies share concerns which we lift up in prayer. We attempt to have a speaker each month for the sharing of information pertinent to the welfare of women in our area (i.e. Julie Valentine Center, Shepherd’s Gate Renewal Center). There is always plenty of laughter and fun. Each year is kicked off with a cookout and the fellowship continues all year.
Meeting Time: 6:30 pm, 2nd Thursday of the month
Location: The Zone
Who: Women, 40s to 70s
A group of senior adults who meet for fellowship and connection. Free Spirits have monthly dinner meetings, may go to a play or concert, or have a game night. Monthly evening gatherings have included Greenville Drive baseball games, cookouts, and annual Oktoberfest and Christmas Parties.
Meeting Time: Monthly, 3rd Thursday, 11:30am
Location: Varies depending on monthly activity
Who: Men & Women, Seniors
GIFT (Girls in Fellowship Together) Circle reads and discusses a book each year. They also host a great overnight retreat in the fall and a weekend retreat to the beach in the spring, as well as several social/dinners at local restaurants.
Meeting Time: Third Tuesday of the Month at 6:30 pm (could vary)
Location: Room E111
Who: Women, 30s to 50s
We share an interest in scripture based studies and lively discussions based on our variety of life experiences. We are also passionate about demonstrating God’s love through community mission projects and service to Advent.
Meeting Time: 10:15 am on Sunday
Location: Christian Life Center, Room C102
Who: Men & Women, 55+
Visit the GriefShare website for more information or contact Dee Vaughan at griefshare@advent-umc.org for more information.
Meeting Time: Mondays at 7:00 pm
Location: Christian Life Center, E112
Who: Those navigating loss and grief
Jean Glover Circle meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month, in the Christian Life Center Dining Room at 10:00 am. We are 55 and over age group. We have a different program each month. This is a social group of ladies that like to get together. Our mission is Generations Home for Boys.
Meeting Time: 10:00 am, 2nd Thursday of the month (could vary)
Location: Christian Life Center, C101 – Dining Room
Who: Women, 55+
You are not alone. Me and My Parkinson’s is a support group for those diagnosed with Parkinson’s and their spouses to share their experiences with one another. Join us at Advent from 6:30-7:30pm on the first Thursday of each month. For more information, click here to email the group.
Meeting Time: 6:30pm, First Thursday of the month
Location: Education Building, E112
Who: Those with Parkinson’s and caregivers of those with Parkinson’s
Studies are discussion based and topical. Our goal is to minister to couples of all ages.
Meeting Time: 6:30 pm on Wednesdays
Location: Education Building, E109
Who: Married couples with or without children
Mommy and Me is for moms and their children preschool aged or younger to support each other through the joys and trials of motherhood while the kids play and get to know one another too.
Meeting Time: Fridays at 10:00 am, 1st & 3rd Friday
Location: Gym/PlayGround
Who: Mothers with Children
The New Beginnings LifeGroup is an easy place to fit in if you are joining a group for the first time. All are welcome! We celebrate diversity and believe that friendships are born and spiritual growth occurs when we choose to walk alongside people who offer varying opinions and respect one another. At a New Beginnings gathering, you will find a group of friendly, kind people that are open-hearted. We believe that God is best found with others. Come, join us on the journey!
Meeting Time: 6:30 pm on 1st and 3rd Wednesdays
Location: Meeting in leaders’ homes
Who: Men & Women, All Ages
Have you ever wondered about a verse or passage in the Bible, but felt that you had no one to ask or that it might sound sacrilegious to ask for clarification? This group is for inquisitive people who want to ask questions and are open to hearing the perspectives of others. It is for people who have been looking for a forum where they can explore the answers to tough questions without feeling that they are judged for their opinions.
Meeting Time: Sundays at 10:15 am
Location: Education Building, E112
Who: Men & Women, All Ages
Meeting Time: 7:00 pm, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month
Locations: Meeting in leaders’ homes
Who: We invite all people to join us!
Place of Discipleship is composed of mostly families with children. Studies tend to be topical and of interest to parents with children. Nursery Care Provided.
Meeting Time: 9:00 am on Sundays
Location: Christian Life Center, C102
Who: Men & Women, Couples, Families with Children
This book study group meets each Sunday at 6:00 pm in with Alan and Mary Russell
Meeting Time: Sundays at 6:00 pm
Location: Off Campus
Who: Men & Women, all ages
This group meets each Sunday at Noon with Heather and Will Jones.
Meeting Time: Sundays at Noon
Location: Off Campus
This women’s group meets on the 1st and 3rd Saturday at 10:00 am in the Education building.
Meeting Time: 1st and 3rd Saturday at 10:00 am
Location: Education Building, E112
Who: Women
Stephen Ministry is the one-to-one lay caring ministry. Stephen Ministry congregations equip and empower lay caregivers – called Stephen Ministers – to provide high-quality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting.
Stephen Ministers are laypeople who have trained 50 hours to provide one-to-one care to people experiencing a difficult time in life. The identity of those receiving care and what takes place in each caring relationship remains private.
Meeting Time: Varies Monthly
Location: Zoom
Who: Men and Women, All Ages
A group of couples who enjoy meeting together to share their life struggles and victories. We also enjoy getting together for cookouts and times when we can connect and just enjoy each other’s company.
Meeting Time: Sundays at 10:30 am
Location: Christian Life Center, C208
Who: 30’s to 50’s, Couples with Children
A group of women who meet weekly for fellowship, prayer, and Bible study. Studies are usually 6-10 weeks each and may include a DVD and either participants’ guide or workbook.
Meeting Time: 9:15 am on Thursday
Location: Education Building, E112
Who: Women, All Ages
This LifeGroup is learning to walk the walk together daily as Christians. This group shares, learns, and grows from tackling real life challenges through a study of Biblical principles.
Meeting Time: 6:30 pm on Wednesday
Location: Education Building, Room E112
Who: Men & Women, All Ages
Women on the Journey is a group of women seeking to discern God’s will for our lives and to share this journey with others. We do this through a mixture of book and video studies designed to connect our lives with God’s Word.
Meeting Time: 9:15 am on Wednesday
Location: Education Building, Room E112 – Meeting in-person and virtually
Who: Women, All Ages
The Young at Heart are adults who enjoy some laughter and fun as they seek to understand scripture. We encourage each other by sharing different thoughts, insights and perspectives, and have a rich variety of experiences that enhance our discussions.
Meeting Time: 10:15 am on Sunday
Location: Education Building, E113
Who: Men & Women, 50s – 80s
Let us help find the right LifeGroup for you!