At Union UMC, we encourage members to find a fellowship group to join. The Bible teaches us that Christianity should not be journey traveled alone.

"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?"

--1 Corinthians 12:12-17

Throughout Christian churches everywhere, we are finding that small group fellowships have a tremendous impact on those who participate.

• People are more likely to participate in discussions in a small group rather then a large class.
• Group members find it easier to connect with one another. They realize that others face the same problems.
• Church pastors and teachers cannot be everywhere. Small fellowship groups provide a perfect way for us to minister to each other.
• Many people in this fast-paced world lack close friends...friends you can turn to when times get tough or you just need a helping hand. When people get together in fellowship groups, close friendships just naturally form.
• Small group members can provide a "safety net," supporting one another in hard times.