Emmanuel's Covenant Group

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Enchanted Lake, Kailua, Hawai`i

What are Covenant Groups?

These are small groups which meet weekly, usually at someone’s home, to worship and share our faith, learn more about each other, deepen our understanding of the Bible and our faith, and have a good time. This initiative is part of Emmanuel's Redevelopment effort and an integral goal in our Five-Year Strategic Plan.

We study the gospel and the sermon from the week before our meeting, digging deep into our lives to share faith stories and learn from each other and the readings and sermon.

Take a look at our discussion documents (.pdf files) for the:

        2nd Sunday in Lent - March 4, 2010

What Members Have to Say About It

Covenant Group Testimonial

by Nancy Janczyk

I love Thursday mornings! Every Thursday I hop out of bed knowing that it will be a great day. My friends from church will soon be arriving for our weekly Covenant Group gathering.

During our time together we share our ideas about how the readings and the sermon are relative to our personal lives. We have some prepared questions that help us start this conversation. I have been listening to the Gospel and Scripture lessons for seventy-five years. It was not until becoming part of our Covenant Grou pthat I became so aware of how these familiar stories relate so directly to me. What an eye opener! I am more able to feel God's presence in my life.
We now have a group of between eight and ten people. Our morning is spent sharing, laughing, caring and, of course, snacking. If you can fine the time, please come and see what a positive, sometimes AHA moment you might experience. We will be so happy to see you.

In God’s love, Nancy Janczyk

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Covenant Group Testimonial
by Joan Bring

This summer I had the pleasure of attending our first covenant group. Since I was out of school and available during the morning, I was invited to attend. I found it to be an opportunity to reflect prayerfully and with loving support on the reading and sermon of the preceding Sunday. It brought a richness to the Sunday experience that I had not found before.

But the group is not all about study. It offers food, humor, friendship and support. We developed stronger friendships and discovered commonalities that we had not expected. I am grateful for the time I spent with the group and I will miss it during the school year.

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Covenant Group Testimonial

by Susan Thornett

    When I show up every week for our Thursday Covenant Group, I love that no one is going to try to fix me or my situation. And I am not going to fix anyone. No one will argue with my point of view. No one will even discuss my point of view or ask me what I think of theirs. It's a huge relief. I love that I will be listened to. And I will listen. This stucture has been deeply satisfying and fulfilling for me in the few short months we've been meeting.

    Lee and Peter Carson initiated the group by bringing members of St. Nicholas to Emmanuel to teach us the structure they found successful. We begin with the readings and sermon from the previous week and answer questioned prepared for us by rotating group members. The questions bring the scripture into our daily life and allow us to see each other and ourselves in the light of our Christian faith.

    I have gotten to know my fellow group members in a meaningful way. And I feel they know me too, for better or for worse. I have been in many, many groups in my journey as a church-going Christian. Bible Studies, Prayer Groups, Ministry Groups. They've all been wonderful in their own way. The Covenant Group is the first time I've been in a group that has deepened my sense of belonging to a Christian family. It is adding a dimension to my life with Christ that I value and am grateful for.

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Our small group has grown to 10 (when we are all in town and able to attend).  We hope you will accept our invitation to join us to continue the process of transformation.

The study of the gospel and the sermon from the week before our meeting has helped us to understand more about what we believe and what we want to learn.  The process has also helped to deal with issues we were not always aware we had.

It has been a rewarding and interesting experience, one which we hope to share with a larger group soon.  Come and experience it for yourselves.  Keep us all in your prayers.

Peter & Lee Carson