// JavaScript Document //Gets random quotes var randquote= new Array("'Small groups are the way to feeling involved.' (Anonymous)", "'It was so warm and comforting to have the group there holding me up in prayer. The group was the perfect balm for my soul. God came.' (Anonymous)", "'We came from all levels of our faith walk, yet we discussed on the same level. No one acted like they knew more!' (Diane)", "'It is a very relaxed atmosphere, no pressure. And fun!' (Diane)", "'I learned that we are all God's children. In our church we are willing to go outside our comfort zone.' (Roelie)", "'Small groups are a great way to get acquainted with people....people you don't know and people that you think you know already.' (Jo)", "'It's both exciting and energizing just to share the readings of C.S. Lewis with others, to reflect, discuss and appreciate others' views and interpretations.' (Jo)", "'You get out of it as much as you put in. There's no pressure to participate in discussions/activities.' (Jeff)", "'An important part of the experience is just being there and getting to know the people in your group.' (Jeff)", "'The different personalities of individuals in the group...their unique and contrasting perspectives are very interesting and entertaining!' (Jeff)", "'All group members were very interested in welcoming new members to church.' (Joan)", "'Groups are a good way to get involved in the church and to make a contribution in welcoming new members.' (Joan)", "'Try it, you'll like it!' (Susan)", "'I made deeper connections with others - getting to know how others see their world.' (Susan)", "'I experienced the presence of God through shared laughter and exchange of ideas.' (Susan)", "'The shared enthusiasm for the books we are reading was energizing.' (Susan)", "'Don't be afraid to step out in faith and try something new.' (Michelle)", "'Hearing different perspectives and personal stories about each faith tradition was exciting.' (Michelle)", "'I saw God at work in the support members of the group provided to one another.' (Michelle)", "'We are making an impact on kids…[as they] see the outcomes of small groups' (Kathy)", "'We are enjoying each other. We are having some good studies. What we will become is yet to be seen.' (Elwyn)", "'No matter what happens, your covenant group will be a valuable learning experience.' (Mick)", "'Our group was stimulating, intellectual, and based in Christ.' (Marty)", "'I became friends with another person…my plan for next time is to find out what group he is in, and go and join him!' (Marty)", "'I was surprised by the depth of the faith of the people there and their knowledge! I need to be in groups.' (Marty)", "'What this group did was strengthen my faith and make me want to live out my daily ministry.' (Marty)", "'I don’t feel isolated! I’ve been able to connect…' (Elwyn)", "'It’s good to get to know other people!' (Elwyn)", "'Thank you for giving me the opportunity…to get to know people I would not otherwise have met.' (Barb)", "'I think these groups are just the best idea ever!' (Anonymous)", "'I was pretty pleased to find activities offered that I can do with my kids tagging along, since they are pretty nearly always in tow!' (Jenn)", "'Participation can play a huge role in how connected you feel to the church and the people there.' (Anonymous)", "'Groups and classes are the best way to get to know others at church and become more of a part of the church. This is the way I have met most of the people I know at church.' (Efrain)", "'The biggest surprise was how much I actually needed the group. I thought I would enjoy being a part of it, but I did not think I would find it so useful.' (Efrain)", "'My group has made me a better person and I know that God is at work when I am becoming a better person.' (Efrain)", "'Participating in groups brings new insights about group members.' (Doug)", "'Everyone can contribute without fear of being put down.' (Doug)", "'Engaging in a weekly gathering with other people to explore our faith is essential to my spiritual growth and strength.' (Anonymous)", "'The open and honest discussion about how we see God and how others see God was exciting and energizing.' (Anonymous)", "'Sunday mornings are certainly valuable, but the heart of the church is in its relationships, and those relationships are much more likely to be formed/developed within a small group.' (Jenn)", "'All of my Round Table groups were enjoyable, but in the last one, I found similar hearts/minds/interests, and the evening was so rejuvenating. I'm enjoying continuing a couple of friendship that began that evening.' (Jenn)", "'It's a great way to connect.' (Elwyn)", "'It's fun, first of all, and then likely to expand your understanding of yourself and your relationship to God.' (Eleanor)", "'Each member seemed to find something that spoke directly to him/her in our discussions.' (Eleanor)", "'I saw God at work in the camaraderie which developed within the group along with the positive changes seen in the participants - and in myself.' (Al)", "'I experienced the presence of God in the sense of the genuineness of our coordinator's spiritual experience.' (Ken)", "'Something important I learned in my group was the importance of Christian fellowship.' (Ken)", "'It was a very open and accepting environment for talking about interesting and deep concepts.' (Anonymous)", "'What a wonderful experience it is to be in a class with so many different faith backgrounds. It was very special.' (Anonymous)", "'It is very special to be part of a small group where you really get to know the people involved and feel you are cared about.' (Anonymous)", "'We had a mix of folks that did not know each other in the beginning. At the end of one of our last classes after the prayer we just all sat there, it was like no one wanted it to end. I think God was at work in all of us.' (Anonymous)", "'You should definitely do it!' (Anonymous)", "'Do it! It is a great way to learn and build relationships at the same time.' (Linda)", "'I thought that the group coming together to discuss a common interest and share experiences was an example of God working through people.' (Linda)", "'Don't worry about being pressured. Some people have a lot to say; others might feel like listening. Either way, it is an accepting environment.' (Anonymous)", "'I found it difficult to participate in some conversation topics, mostly because everyone else was so interesting to listen to!' (Anonymous)", "'I learned to see my life as an improvisation on God's theme.' (Anonymous)", "'Do it - you might learn something in spite of yourself!' (Jean)", "'I learned that it is important to make a connection with nature...[it is a] great reminder that God is at work, and we need to appreciate and take care of what he has given us.' (Jean)", "'This is a useful method of developing one's [own] spiritual growth and that of the church.' (Ken)", "'Our experience has been good; to meet again would be our hope.' (Ken)", "'I experienced the presence of God when a member of the group found a new freedom, and perhaps relief, on seeing something in a new way.' (Ken)", "'You will learn things about yourself that surprise and delight you.' (Jeanne)", "'You will get to know other wonderful, like-minded people in the class you attend.' (Jeanne)", "'You will have more fun than you thought you could!' (Jeanne)", "'You will appreciate the gift of having a church community that provides such learning opportunities.' (Jeanne)", "'Our group coordinator was an excellent leader. She lead the discussions with a gentle hand, but guided us back to the topic when we strayed too long off subject.' (Jeanne)", "'I learned how loving our God is, to give us unlimited opportunities to become more loving Christians - to work at it and not become complacent in our faith.' (Jeanne)", "'You are experiencing an enjoyable, rewarding time when you are a part of a group or class -- what can I tell you that would encourage you to do it?' (Barb)", "'It was energizing having women from all three worship service groups as we compared sermons from the different services.' (Barb)", "'The prayer to begin the evening was remembered even though we were talking nonstop from the minute we came in the door...' (Barb)", "'The variety of people interested in jazz and the variety of the types of jazz itself [in our Theology of Jazz class] reminded me of the infinite diversity of the image of God... a God of seductive romance and a God of wildly disturbing Be-Bop!' (Anonymous)", "'Groups are a good way to get to know others and build relationships.' (John)", "'The classes are better than what you anticipate - even if you think they're going to be good. They are worth the time and effort in ways you won't expect!' (Susan)", "'I once more experienced how wonderful it is to laugh...' (Susan)", "'I was worried that I would not have the time for the commitment, but it was such a great experience that it became a high priority for my time.' (Susan)", "'The discussions - especially when someone saw something in the reading that others had not noticed or seen differently - always energized the group.' (Susan)", "'There's no stress.' (Anonymous)", "'Something exciting was the age span [between participants] and also the fact that everyone felt safe in expressing their feelings within the discussions.' (Anonymous)", "'Images of God and God's work among his people were revealed as we discussed the stories we were reading. Everyone in the group seemed to have something different to contribute. It was great!' (Anonymous)", "'Some books are just more enjoyable when read and discussed as a group rather than reading alone at home.' (Anonymous)", "'I liked being involved in a group with a wide age range.' (Anonymous)", "'I saw God at work in the way we came together as a group. Now when I see the people from the group at church, I feel connected to them.' (Michelle)", "'The group never became a burden, even though we met for a year.' (Michelle)", "'I discovered that Bible study is much more productive and enjoyable when studied in community.' (Dave)", "'The biggest surprise in my group was how fast the time went, and how connected to the group I felt.' (Dave)", "'Get over the apprehension and get involved - you will experience added growth in your faith and begin to appreciate the broad diversity of our congregation.' (Dave)", "'Our covenant group experience has been nothing but positive and the ties we have created continue to bless.' (Elwyn)"); var alength= (randquote.length)-1; function quoteroll() { //dice roll randnum = Math.floor(Math.random()*((1+alength-1) +1)); document.write (randquote[randnum]); }