Emmaus Groups (Small Groups)

Why join a group? | What are Emmaus Groups? | Upcoming groups and classes for the Winter Covenant Period | Weekly Bible Study guides |Covenant Period dates

In a recent article in The New Yorker, "Social Animal," New York Times columnist David Brooks wrote, "Research over the last thirty years makes it clear that what the inner mind really want is connection. ... Joining a group that meets just once a month produces the same increases in happiness as doubling your income."

Fr. Karl Rahner, SJ, said, "The mind’s deepest need is not for answers but for communion."

Describing his experience participating in an Emmaus Group, one parishioner wrote:

The Holy Spirit is always present. Sometimes we recognize this. The final 20 minutes or so of our Emmaus Group last night took us beyond ourselves. Transfiguration occurs within. I want to express my gratitude {to St. Stephen's Church} for opening this opportunity to become what we are. This parish is filled with the Grace of God. Blessings.

Small groups are not just another "program" offered by St. Stephen's. They are the foundation of our life as a parish, and our hope is that every parishioner will be part of a group of some kind, whether an Emmaus Group, a choir, a youth group, the Prayer Shawl Knitters, the Young Mothers Bible Study or another group.

The name “Emmaus” comes from the well-known story from the Gospel of Luke about the disciples who encountered the resurrected Jesus on the road to Emmaus. They have a deep, spiritual conversation with each other and with Jesus as they travel together, but it is only when they reach their destination and break bread together that they fully recognize Jesus.

Emmaus Groups are built on four "pillars."

+ Spiritual Reflection

+ Mutual Care and Support

+ Prayer

+ Service

Some Emmaus Groups focus on a study of the Gospel assigned for the coming Sunday (the lectionary). Others focus on such topics as dreams, women’s spirituality, or specific books.

You may participate in an Emmaus group for one or more of the three covenant periods, as your schedule permits.

Weekly Bible Study; Preparing for Sunday: Leaders of Emmaus Group who are studying the lectionary can find weekly discussion guides from this site. Other groups and individuals are also welcome to use these outlines for their own lectionary-based Bible studies. These guides are provided during the weeks that Emmaus Groups are meeting (covenant periods).

Covenant Periods are the three 10-week periods during which groups meet. You may participate in one or more covenant period with the same group, try different groups in each covenant period, or participate in just one or two covenant periods.

Fall Covenant Period: Week of September 26 through week of November 28, 2011

Winter Covenant Period: Week of January 9 through week of March 12, 2012

Spring Covenant Period: Week of March 26 through week of May 28, 2012

Contact Gene LeCouteur for more information.