groups

God is communal, a Trinity. Because we all bear the image of the Creator, the need for community resides deep within our beings. Unfortunately true community rarely “happens” – particularly in our culture, where heroic individualism rules the day. Community must be nurtured and developed.

As important as participation in the liturgy is to the church, it was never intended to be the sole facilitator of community. In fact community provides the context for authentic worship to take place. Mosaic groups provide a place where the gospel connects with life and where we connect with each other and the world.

We feel strongly that deep community – where intimacy, confession and discipleship is taking place – happens only after people start getting to know each other.  So, if you call Mosaic your home – we hope you’re in small groups where that can happen.

We ask all groups at Mosaic to plan their times together in 8-12 week blocks/semesters.  We have 3 of these a year; in the Spring, Summer and Fall.  Between each is a hiatus (think Sabbath) for us all to catch our breaths – to think and pray about our involvement in the next semester. Everyone has the option of sticking with their groups for multiple semesters in a row/forever or trying new ones each time.

If you’d like to hear more, or think you’d be interested in starting something new, email Sam.  Even if you just have an idea, but need help from staff with developing it or finding resources – he’d love to hear from you.

Fall 2010 Groups:

Philippians Bible Study

Sam Myrick will be leading this 8 week bible study. The group will work through N.T. Wright’s “Philippians for Everyone Bible Study Guide” – which you’ll need to have for the 1^st week. The group will meet on Monday evenings (starting Sept 13th) at 6:30 at Central Market (4001 N Lamar). Email Sam (sam@mosaicaustin.org) to sign up.

Dr. FoodLove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying & Love the Vegetables

This small group is all about the celebration of food (and faith, of course)! They will share meals together like in small groups of the past HOWEVER rather than preparing the meals & sharing them at houses this small group will dine at the amazing restaurants this great city has to offer. They will visit some of the Austin standards & venture to some new restaurants on the blocks. (Maybe even a weekend field trip to Lockhart for BBQ…maybe a Sunday Brunch?!)<—the answer is YES! They will meet every 1st & 3rd Monday of the month at 7:00 pm & the venue will change each week. The 1st meeting of the month will be somewhere casual (i.e.: The Odd Duck Food Truck). Then the 2nd meeting of the month will be somewhere less casual (i.e.: Parkside). Email Amber Oliver (miss.ambo@gmail.com) for info.

Southside Smallgroup Presents: “Remember the Alamo Drafthouse.“

This group will watch a movie every other Tuesday that has impacted somebody in the group with some sort of spiritual significance.  Movies start promptly at 7:15pm & discussion will follow. Feel free to bring food or drink of your choosing. Movies will be watched at the Perkins’ (2402 Gateshead Cir). On the off-weeks they will hang out in some form or fashion in a location of their choosing.  Please contact John (john.perkins@perxnet.com) or Darby (darbyperkins@hotmail.com) if interested.

Theology and Art

This group will explore the relationship between theology and art. Is art important? What can art say about God? What can God say through art? Why does Mosaic as a community value and provide a space to experience art? They’ll watch movies, go to galleries, read, do art, drink, eat and meet together to discuss and explore this conversation. The group will meet on Wednesday nights at 7:00 (starting Sept. 15th) at Travis & Lauren Hardy’s house (601 Brushy St #202). Email Travis (savvytravy@gmail.com) for more info.

St. Francis

This group will be studying the life & lessons of St. Francis by reading & discussing G.K. Chesterton’s biography of the saint (“St. Francis of Assisi”). Francis was a 13th century monk who began his life as a troubadour, and came to be known for his self-sacrificial love & compassion for all of God’s creation. Chesterton was an English writer at the turn of the last century, whose work has influenced a diverse group of people including Neil Gaiman, C.S. Lewis & Mahatma Gandhi. Join them as they spend some time getting to know St. Francis & allowing his story to touch ours. Todd & Jaime Graves will host this group each Wednesday (starting Sept 15th) at 7:00 pm at their house (2307 Trafalgar).  Email Todd (jtgraves@gmail.com) for more info.

Traveling Mercies

Every other Wednesday at 7:30, Brad & Noelle Otts will host this book group on Anne Lamott’s Traveling Mercies: Some Thoughts on Faith.  The Otts live at 6710 Esther Dr., and you can email Noelle (noelleotts@gmail.com) for the schedule & other details.

Celebration of Discipline

Interested in learning about & practicing some of the classical spiritual disciplines?  Emily Miller & Carmen Petrick will host this book study group on Richard Foster’s classic Celebration of Discipline. The group will meet at 7:30 on Wednesday nights (beginning Sept. 15th) at 1033 E 43^rd St. Email Emily (anne.emily@gmail.com) for more info or to let her know you are interested.

Student Group

The Mosaic Student Group is a small group of college and grad students (and some in-betweens) that meets weekly to eat snacks, hang out, and discuss a topic of their choosing. In the past, they have read the gospel of Mark, studied and practiced the spiritual disciplines, viewed films, discussed different theologies, and much more.  The group is open to newcomers throughout the year, and is designed so that anyone can jump right into whatever they’re studying or discussing that semester. They meet on Thursday nights (starting Sept. 9th) at 7:00 at Alex Easley’s house (3102 Wheeler St). If you’re interested, check out their Facebook page or email Alex (aeasley90@hotmail.com).

“Way Down in the Hole”

The Wire was a television program that aired on HBO for five seasons. It examines issues of class, criminality, social justice, race, institutions and their relation to individuals, economics, and more through the lens of the city of Baltimore. This group will watch one episode a week of the show, starting this semester with Season 1, and provide time for discussion afterward. Anyone is welcome, but be aware that the show is often graphic and disturbing.  The group will meet on Thursday nights at 7:30 at 5619 (beginning Sept. 16th).  Contact James Hunt (brandnewmath@gmail.com) for more info.

Saturday “Crafternoons”

This Saturday afternoon group will meet twice a month at 5619 & is going to be a DIY extravaganza! Knitting, making jewelry, building bookshelves – the final project will actually be building a house! (This may or may not be true). If you’re interested in learning new crafts while having lots of fun – email Kate Roden (kate@roden.cc) for details on dates & times.