Draw the Circle Wide: A Community of Small Groups at SUM

SUM is a community based on intellectual engagement and cultural and spiritual growth. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, recognized the needs of the people. Wesley encouraged us to gather in communities with others, in small groups to focus on learning and supporting each other. He built or created a unique complement to worship that not only allows us to build upon our own spiritual understanding and growth but also enables us reach out to others without confusion and fear. This is the power of both community and love.

Before jumping into a small group, however, it is helpful to determine if the topics are relevant and valuable to you and other participants. The current small group structure is aligned with SUM’s purposes and the personal and spiritual growth needs of our people.

At SUM we embrace:

• Education and Learning

• Faith Building

• Shared Values

• Recreation and Social Connection

• Community based on inclusion, loving and living.

SUM will continue Wesley’s journey with our current highly successfully small group offerings, but soon we will be offering more diverse, fun groups based on your hobbies, past times, and skills or gifts. These new groups, known as Affinity Groups, will be centered around community and shared goals:

• A community is defined by individuals connected through shared values, interests, and goals, fostering collective identity and belonging.

• Communities give us the opportunity to share ideas and talk about things that may not be in our everyday lives.

• One of the main reasons behind the importance of community is that it can help fight feelings of hopelessness and give us the certainty that we are safe when surrounded by our community.

SUM is unique in its wide variety of small groups currently offered and we are about to expand this list to widen the scope and increase its participation. The possibilities are endless, just let us know what you are interested in. The following is a list of existing and upcoming Affinity Groups to join plus ideas to start your own Affinity Group.

The SUM of Caring and Nurturing

• The Susannas Women’s Group (Susan Thomson)

• Interval House

• The Villages

• The Underground (Robert Sturgis)

• Food Insecurity

• Northwestern Community College – Food Pantry (Barbara Vasquenza)

• Days for Girls (Jan Baker)

• Friendly Visitors (Sandy Lipscomb)

 SUM of the Arts – opportunities

• Watercolor/Ink/Drawing group

• Crafts – scrapbooking, etc. group

• Movie group – at a theater or in home or in Annex DVDs

• Theater group – who doesn’t love to go to the theater?

• Museum group - who doesn’t love to go to a museum?

The SUM of our Health and Wellness

• Body, Mind and Soul (Bill and Jane Preskenis)

• On-Line Chair Yoga

• Walking and Talking

• Impacts of Aging and Cognitive Functioning (The Susannas)

• Cycling in the Farmington Valley

The SUM of Men in Living and Loving

• Men’s Book Club (Alan Lahue)

• Mentoring Young Men and Boys

• Music for Men

The SUM of our Talents and Past Times 

• Mystery or whatever genre book group

• Non-fiction book group

• Cooking and/or baking group

• Crafts – Scrapbooking, etc.

• Quilting

• Genealogy Group: Who am I? and Where did I come from? (Eileen Brogan)

• Cribbage and Board Game Gatherings

The SUM of Our Community

• Food & Fellowship (Susan Samuel)

• People without Partners (Eileen Brogan)

• Twining In the Farmington Valley – Denominational and Congregational Connections 

• LLI “Auxiliary”

John C. Thomson & Eileen M Brogan