Using technology, Ascension’s small groups are still going strong while following safer-at-home guidelines.
From Bob Zastrow (AMEN): AMEN Monday evening has met for the last two weeks by video conference using a service similar to Zoom (Join Me). We hope to continue next week and will be starting the study of Acts. Our gatherings have been different but fun. We look forward to the challenge of using the technology of today to get back into God’s Word. AMEN Monday evening is open to additional men joining us on the video conference. Men can contact Bob Zastrow or Steve Boyer to be added to the participation list.
From Jan Zastrow: TGIT members have been texting, emailing, talking on the phone, sending cards. The Easter email was so heartwarming as each person checked in with one another. I have sent out individual emails with personal messages to each of my members…. Today, I will be sending a devotion on Psalm 40 with questions to meditate on. The theme of Psalm 40: As God delivers his people from trouble, they trust him more fully and long to tell others about his kindness. Seems applicable to our situation today. I have thought about using Zoom as a way to stay in touch, but not everyone has the capabilities, so I have hesitated. I may rethink that in the very near future.
From Linda Hansen: We are trying to have everyone in the group send their prayer requests to the group on the day we would normally meet. We’ve done it twice now and will do it again this Thursday. This is a way to keep people connected.
From Shirley Wehmeier: I use email to stay connected. We have always had a prayer chain for our group which includes people who have not been able to attend class but want to stay connected. Members send me prayer requests and I send them on to the group. I also have been sending an email/devotion during class time each week. I give suggestions for Bible reading for the week and prayer ideas. I encourage the group to respond with their thoughts on the topic. I get some people who respond each time and others I never hear from. We have several people who do not use computers so I have been in regular phone contact with them and have encouraged the rest of the class to give them calls also since they are not connected in other ways. We all agreed that we would pray at the same time each day throughout Lent.
From Chris Holloway: I gave group the option of continuing our study or taking a break. We chose to do a weekly devotion and fellowship hour with our favorite beverage every Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. via Zoom. I have 14 people in my group and all but two have participated (working on them!). I open the meeting with prayer and a 10-15 minute devotion. Then I have a Chat Pack Question deck, and choose 3-4 questions for fun conversation. We then do Highs and Lows and end in prayer. All of the women in my group are 50+ in age, so our issues are aging parents and not being able to see our grandchildren during this quarantine. It’s been great being able to “see” one another, sharing stories and praying together—admittedly, sometimes with a glass of wine.
From Arlene Davis: Our group has been keeping in touch by phone. Group members check on each other and offer to help with grocery deliveries and other things if needed.
From Amanda Tenwinkel: Our group met via Zoom this month. We had a few “technology bumps” but were pleased overall with the experience.
