Discover ways to connect with our community beyond our Sunday gatherings.
Season 13 – Fall 2022
There are a number of ways to connect with others at Nexus this fall. We have a selection of small groups running that meet regularly. Registration for our fall groups is now closed, but stay tuned for our winter groups. See bottom of page for current group descriptions.
Brad, along with other Nexus Staff, are also offering a series of one-off Classes and Labs.
What is a Class? Classes are for people who would like more information about Nexus and what it looks like to walk the Jesus Path with us.
What is a Learning Lab? Labs are a place for Brad to get to know the Nexus community better through asking interesting questions. We hear from Brad every week, this is his chance to hear from us. This will allow for a better feedback loop, more meaningful sermons and a better understanding of each other.
LIST OF FALL LABS & CLASSES
SECOND HALF OF LIFE LAB – Mon. Nov. 7 / 7-9pm – See Updates & Events Facebook page for location
Are you in the second half of your life? Are you retired or close to retirement? Do you have grandchildren? What is it that occupies your mind in this stage of life? Do you think about legacy? What is most important to you? How do you see your role within the Nexus community? Join Brad as we try to make greater sense of this season of life.
DECONSTRUCTING YOUR FAITH CLASS Sun. Nov. 13 / 1-3pm – See Updates & Events Facebook page for location
Are you in the process of deconstructing your faith, unsure what you believe anymore? Has your experience with church left you feeling angered, frustrated or grieving? Join Brad and other Nexus leaders as we explore what it means to deconstruct faith in healthy, life-giving ways (whether finding your way back to faith or leaving it altogether). The class is designed to give you tools and compass points for the intellectual and emotional journey of deconstruction.
RELATIONSHIP LAB Wed. Nov. 16 / 7-9pm – See Updates & Events Facebook page for location
Are you married or in a long-term relationship? What are the keys to making a relationship work? What challenges or struggles do you face? Do you find yourself in a comfortable routine together, or do you ever wonder if there is something else you should be doing? What role does faith play in your relationship? What does it mean to share your life with someone?
AN INTRO TO THE ENNEAGRAM CLASS Sun. Nov. 20 / 1-3pm – See Updates & Events Facebook page for location
Are you interested in learning the basics of the Enneagram? Are you interested in a personality tool that can help you get to know and be at home with yourself and even chart a path for growth? Join Karla as she helps us learn how our type influences our worldview, choices, values, reactions to people and stress. Karla will provide a quick tour through the nine types and can offer further resources to help you determine which Enneagram lens you see through.
APPC – TRAILHEAD LAB Tues Nov. 22 / 7-9pm – See Updates & Events Facebook page for location
Did you resonate with Brad’s teachings on why we all need a path in life and why the Christian faith offers a compelling one? Were there any revelations or aha moments from this series of 3 teachings? Was there anything you disagreed with or felt unsettled about? What made sense, what didn’t? Join Brad for this evening lab where he will ask you questions about the introductory aspects of the APCC series.
LGBTQ+ Tues Nov. 29 / 7-9pm – See Updates & Events Facebook page for location
Do you identify as LGBTQ+? What was your experience growing up in church? How does being LGBTQ+ affect your faith? What does it mean to be LGBTQ and Christian? Go to church? Practice faith? Join us as we try to make greater sense of of faith and the LGBTQ+ experience.
THE ENNEAGRAM & OUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY CLASS Sun. Dec 4 / 1-3pm Downtown Community Centre, 35B Weber St. W. Kit
Do you wonder how the Enneagram can be a tool for spiritual growth? Join Karla as she explores spiritual formation, as well as some of the gifts, challenges and the growth journey of each of nine types, and will offer spiritual practices/prayers and other resources tailored by type.
LIST OF FALL SMALL GROUPS – REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED
1. A Look into Spiritual Growth (Dinner Included)
“The Work of the People” is a wonderful resource (Nexus has been using for 3 years) that has 100s of excellent short videos on spiritual formation. All are quite short and very thoughtful and can lead to great discussions. Each evening we will watch 1 or 2 of these 3-6 minute videos from a variety of speakers with helpful perspectives on subjects such as prayer, silence, the Holy Spirit, forgiveness, compassion, contemplation, wholeness, being loved, detoxing, sabbath, freedom, pain, dying to self, plus more. I am hoping that a number of these will resonate with you, perhaps meeting needs in your life. Being part of a group will allow you to hear others’ thoughts, questions and doubts in these areas and even give you more resources and ideas to pursue in your quest.
A TWIST – We invite you to join us for supper at 6:30p.m. We’ll provide the main course and you can bring either a salad, a vegetable or a dessert once every few weeks. If you can’t do supper either occasionally or at all, you can still join at 7:30 p.m. for the video and discussion time.
Date/Time: 6:30-7:30pm Dinner, 7:30-9pm Group. Thursdays, Oct 13 – Dec 1
Location: Murray & Jane’s place. The address will be emailed.
2. Spiritual Direction with Karla
“Do you seek God?” and then, “What does this seeking mean for your life?” – these are the two main questions of spiritual direction. I propose to run a few spiritual direction groups of four people, beginning as soon as we can this month at a time that suits the group members (maybe one daytime, one evening). We’d meet monthly for the season (ending in June), at our place in Northwest Waterloo.
If you are interested in growing in honesty and receptivity with God, are able to listen prayerfully on behalf of others, and are willing to open your spiritual journey to others’ gentle input, these groups are for you. The process is simple: each person shares briefly about something in their lives, remembering God is found in the most surprising places. You can bring just about anything to share – just notice what’s arising in you as we hold those first moments of silence…something you wrestle with, an image of God you’d like to update…places of tenderness or strong emotions…hopes, disappointments, a question… After a brief time of silence, the others ask the person some questions for reflection. There’s another moment of silence, and then it’s the next person’s turn. For more information, the Shalem Institute describes the process quite well.
We hope to grow a warm and compassionate space to explore our individual journeys with God in community.
Date/Time: These will be determined by the group members.
Location: Karla’s place. The address will be emailed.
3. Spiritual Disciplines – Family Friendly
Steve and Christie Martin are hosting a family-friendly option on Sunday evenings from 6-7:30, beginning Sept 25, This is a weekly group on a monthly rotation: Week 1: Men meet; Week 2: Women meet; Week 3: Whole family week; Week 4: Off
This group will use the Spiritual Disciplines Handbook by Adele Ahlherg Calhoun. Everyone chooses a spiritual discipline to focus on and brings their experiences with it back to the group. Spiritual disciplines are best experienced in the midst of real life – they’re for everyone, and it’s all about freedom and joy.
Date/Time: 6-7:30pm, Sundays, Sept 25 – Dec 11
Location: Martin’s place. The address will be emailed.