New Small Groups
New small group opportunities are available seasonally. Check back to see the latest groups. Contact the Incarnation office to register or find out more about new small groups.
November, Advent & Winter Small Groups
We are about to begin a new season of Small Group Ministry!
Look for the Small Group tables on Sunday mornings, Oct 26, Nov 2, and Nov 9
Our Money Stories
This is our worship theme in November, in the days between All Saints and Advent
Join this group led by Tim Gray that will use the Our Money Story Study Journal to explore the focal scriptures through art, reflections, and writing prompts.
Saturday afternoons at 4:00 pm.
11/8, 15, 22, (skip Thanksgiving weekend), and 12/6 and 12/13
Advent Theme — What Do You Fear? Insisting on Hope this Advent
Small Group Leaders*
This is a short-term Small Group experience, and there will be several different days/timeframes/formats to choose from, and groups will meet 3-4 times during the Advent season (Nov 30 to Dec 23).
* Are you a trained Small Group Leader who would like to lead a short-term group on our theme this Advent? Consider this resource that will also be offered as a devotional resource to the whole Incarnation community. Also, we will provide a group leader guide for those who would like that resource.
Offered by:
Dianne Timmer – Sunday afternoons in Arizona
Jane Trapp – Thursdays afternoons at 3 pm – Dec 4, 11, and 18 – meeting on Zoom
Matthew: The Gospel of Promised Blessings by Matthew Skinner
Planned to begin in January 2026
The Gospel of Matthew portrays Jesus and his message as full of tender compassion and urgent warning. This six-part exploration of an enigmatic Gospel takes readers into the themes, topics, and tensions at the heart of Matthew’s story about the life and work of Jesus. Chapters focus on blessing and comfort, judgment and retribution, the meaning of discipleship, Jesus’ vision for the Church and world, conflicts and complaints, and how the Gospel of Matthew speaks to believers today.
Components include video teaching sessions featuring Matthew Skinner and a comprehensive Leader Guide.
Offered by:
Liv Rosin – on Wednesdays in the early afternoon, starting in January
Young Adult Small Group
It’s more than a book—it’s a movement. Born from the stories, struggles, and dreams of young adults, the collection of letters speaks to the most pressing issues of our time, including climate change, mental health, marginalization, and the pursuit of abundance and intimacy in faith.
Priority for participants who are 18-30—if you are beyond that age, let us know of your interest, but indicate *eager listener
Small Group Leaders – Mike Sell and Pastor Joy
Tuesday evenings once each month, 6:30 pm
Begins November 11
Preschool Parents Advent Small Group
Deacon Shirley Lee and Pastor Joy
We will use the Advent resource to get us started in building relationships between Preschool families—all are welcome, including Incarnation Preschool families and those worshiping at Incarnation who have a preschooler.
Day/time: TBD by group participants
Parents Small Group
A Bible study for parents interested in exploring the challenges of raising our children to be more dependent on God than us as they grow up. We will dig into God’s word, discuss approaches and parenting insights from God that we can in turn apply at home.
Spouses switch off who comes. It’s organically worked out that dads come one week and the moms come the opposite.
Every two weeks on Tuesdays, 8:30 – 9:30 pm
Small Group Leader: Caleb Cordes
Caregivers Group
Refilling the Reservoirs: Spiritual Care for the Exhausted Caregiver by Brenda Bos
Life as a caregiver is hard. There are no easy answers, and hope can feel elusive. Bos, a Lutheran pastor and a fellow caregiver, shares a spiritually grounded message of solidarity stepped in the conviction that God meets us in the hard places—even when it’s difficult to see beyond our pain.
Small Group Leaders – Katie Solfest & Patty Nilsen
Tuesdays in January 6, 13, 20, and 27
Practicing Meditation with the Psalms
We will meet in the chapel with candles and dim light. Participants can sit in a traditional chair or bring a mat or blanket to sit on the floor. We will listen to one Psalm together and have a short conversation on it. Then we will do a traditional guided meditation, including deep breathing, attention to body, listening, etc. Before the meditation is complete, we will hear the Psalm again and end with a breath prayer. We will all leave quietly.
Small Group Leader: Emily Schwieters
Meeting 5 Monday evenings, 6:30-7:30 pm. Jan 5, Jan 19, Feb 2, Feb 16, March 2
Ongoing Small Groups…
Connect with an ongoing small group that is interested in adding more people.
Monday Evening Small Group
Topic: Connect around a variety of faith topics and fellowship (men and women, all ages)
When/Where: Once/month on Mondays, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Incarnation
Leader: Tracy Strantz
More information: Incarnation office
Knitting Small Group
Topic: Bring your own knitting/needlework and share in a short devotion
When/Where: once/month on the third Monday of the month, 1:00-3:00 p.m. at Incarnation.
Leader: Ruth Tillquist
More information: ruth@tillquist.net
Thursday Evening Small Group for Women
Topic: Book study and fellowship/service activities for women (primarily moms of middle/high school/college students)
When/Where: twice/month on Thursday evenings, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Leaders: Sonya Wilson and Elizabeth Nelson
More information: wilsonsj@gmail.com
Connecting Threads Small Group
Topic: Bring your own needlework projects (knitting, embroidery…)
When/Where: once/month on the first Tuesday of the month from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Leader: Cindy Spellman
More information: rooskie0825@gmail.com
Recently Offered Small Groups
These small groups have been offered recently and may be offered again in the future. Tell us you’re interested and we will let you know about the next opportunity. Contact Small Group Ministry.
Creation Care Small Group
What would a Christ-centered view of creation look like? This small group will learn about creation care, while also connecting with one another. The group will use “Our Kairos Moment”, a study based on the ELCA’s social message “Earth’s Climate Crisis.” What is our place in creation and how is our story in creation part of God’s larger creation story? How is creation care connected to public health, agricultural challenges, care for the vulnerable and other concerns. What are some next steps to care for the earth and for one another? How do we answer climate anxiety with hope by being agents of change? View or download a copy of the study guide: Our Kairos Moment.
The Liturgy of the Ordinary Small Group
“In overlooked moments and routines, we can become aware of God’s presence in surprising ways. How do we embrace the sacred in the ordinary and the ordinary in the sacred?” – Tish Harrison Warren
This six-week small group will read and talk about the book, Liturgy of the Ordinary, by Tish Harrison Warren. Each chapter looks at an activity from daily life, connecting the activity with a spiritual practice as well as an aspect of Sunday worship. This book and the small group are a chance to discover the holiness of everyday life.
Living with Purpose in the Life Stage of Retirement – Small Group
If you’re recently retired, considering retirement or want to reflect on your existing retirement, this is the small group for you. We will focus on many of the non-financial aspects that will make your retirement successful and purpose-driven. We will not discuss financial planning for retirement. We will be using the book, How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free and supplement with other resources. Retirement is certainly not one-size-fits-all, but this group is a chance to learn from the questions and considerations of others in the group.
Weekly/Seasonal Sunday Morning Small Groups
Connect with others to explore short readings, engage in conversation, and try out new faith practices. Sunday morning small groups are open to all and designed especially for those new to Incarnation. They are easy-to-do with no preparation needed and a short commitment, usually meeting for only 3-5 gatherings. Groups typically meet from 10:00-11:15 a.m. (after the 9:00 a.m. worship service) at Incarnation. Groups begin throughout the year. To find out more, contact the Incarnation office.
More Ways to Connect
Visit the Faith Formation area of this website to find out about more group opportunities and other ways to connect with other people, as you deepen your faith.
Visit the Serve area of this website to find out about the many ways to connect with others as you serve in the community or at Incarnation.
How do I sign-up?
Tell us you’re interested in a small group by contacting the Incarnation office.