Congregational Life

Small Groups

People at Koinonia form task teams to get things done and small groups to fulfill a need or social function. These may meet on a regular or ad hoc basis, so watch the monthly calendar for times or changes. Current groups include Lay Speakers Group, Peace and Justice Group, Children and Families Group, Adult Sunday School, Choir, the Outdoor Group, and Koinonia Dinner Groups.

Soup Lunch Sunday

Soup Lunch

Soup Lunch is a 20-year-old tradition at Koinonia and is held after the morning service on the first Sunday of each month. After reading Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger by Ron Sider in the Adult Sunday Morning Class, members decided to raise money for hunger needs. The first Soup Lunch featured a meager broth to build awareness of a life in poverty. This goal was too successfully achieved. Koinonians said, in effect, "We get it, we get it! But it's no fun!" By a full consensus, the group decided to move in the direction of making and eating delicious soups, sharing recipes, and donating the same money one would spend going out to eat. These contributions have gone to the Community Food Bank and other local agencies, as well as special emergency needs in the nation or world. Everyone is welcome to attend our Soup Lunch, have a good meal and conversation, and take some action to address the needs of those who are hungry.

Soup Lunch

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Peace & Justice

Micah 4:3-4     . . . they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more . . .

Micah 6:6-8    . . . and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

The Peace and Justice group is open to all members and friends to give direction and focus to the social concerns of the Koinonia community.  We discuss and explore issues together, seeking understanding and compassionate responses.  We also bring the awareness of issues to others by sponsoring community forums.  When necessary, we plan social action, hold fund-raising events, and support efforts to bring aid and relief for the basic, physical and emotional needs of those who are oppressed and suffering.  So far, in 2005, beyond supporting the relief efforts of our denominations, we have:

• Learned about severe needs in El Salvador from Mesa State students and supported the Foundation for Cultural Exchange.
• Raised money for local and world hunger through CROP, Church World Service, and Heifer International.
• Sent money and personal health kits and school kits for Katrina victims.
• Made monthly donations to the Community Food Bank
• Served monthly soup lunches to raise money for special needs of the community
• Held a major fund-raiser for Habitat for Humanity
• Sponsored a Community Forum on the ethics of military recruitment in the high schools

Meetings are often held monthly on Sunday evenings.  Please check the monthly calendar for time and place.

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