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Getting Connected

Shoreline Vineyard and the Community
"People are longing to rediscover true community. We have had enough of...independence and competition." - Jean Vanier

Re-Connect With Shoreline Vineyard

We believe that writer/theologian Jean Vanier is right, but we also recognize that most of us lead somewhat over-scheduled lives…which means a lot of activity, but activity that can translate to a creeping sense of disconnection.

What we’re experiencing reflects something the apostle Paul wrote: God has made us to be a collective “Body” of many parts – and each part needs the other. When we’re not experiencing at least some kind of community, there is a “holy discontentment” that eventually gets our attention. Plus, humorist Mark Twain wrote, “ To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to divide it with.” He got that right.

Welcome lunch/dessert

We hold these luncheons or desserts once a quarter to welcome those who have recently connected with us. We give you the opportunity to ask questions – from accountability structure to theological matters – and we give you a basic introduction to our congregation’s culture and priorities. It’s a great way to accelerate getting to know one another and for newcomers to decide whether and/or how to jump in.

Home/Small Groups

“Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as we see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:25

We take this New Testament admonition seriously and so we regularly try various connection group formats to see what works best for different people.

Here's what we are doing now

1. Monday Night for Men

A monthly get-together for ANY guys 18 and up. It’s a great place to meet some new folks, and discuss the Bible’s take on issues unique to men. No commitment is required; just come if you can, or bring someone along who’s new in town.

2. Worship/Music Team

Do you sing, play an instrument, or are you computer-saavy or have an ear for sound? We’re always looking for new people to join the team.

3. Prayer Team

Prayer has the power to change things in life and in your life.  We have various gatherings centered around Prayer.  Sunday morning pre-service prayer, post-service prayer, and a team of people that pray throughout the week for the various needs of our family.

4. Illuminate Student Ministries

Illuminate meets every Wednesday at our Parish Center from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and has a student leadership team called Ignition.

5. Young Adult/College Shindig

We meet several times throughout the year when schedules permit, and more often in the summer.  Please contact Grant and Amy Brandsen for directions and info.

illuminate@shorelinevineyardchurch.org

6. Outreach teams

You can have some surprising experiences when joining with a team of others to practice the “art of good neighboring.”

  • Boston Terrace Dinner: Quarterly, we serve a really nice dinner & dessert at Boston Terrace (affordable housing complex for elderly and/or disabled in Guilford) for 15-25 residents. Occasionally, we include live acoustic music, but there’s always a lot of laughter.
  • Homeless Shelter Meal: Monthly during the cold weather months (October to May), we serve a home-made meal to 90+ men at the overflow homeless shelter affiliated with Columbus House in New Haven. This is spearheaded by Dave & Amy Mueller, but the teams of food preparers and servers varies each month. At the end of the meal, we offer personal prayer for some of the residents – and that’s always a moving experience (for the men and for us).
  • Foot Care Clinic: Starting the spring of 2015, Dave & Amy Mueller have launched a collaboration with Amistad House in New Haven to offer a home-cooked meal, plus a foot-care clinic. This is a practical way to serve the homeless men and women who are on their feet most of their waking hours.