1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,840 Hello everyone and welcome to this week's episode of Trinity Talks and I 2 00:00:05,840 --> 00:00:11,000 am really excited this week to talk with some folks who are all part of online 3 00:00:11,000 --> 00:00:17,400 life groups. We've just had our life group launch here at the church and we 4 00:00:17,400 --> 00:00:21,440 know that there are many folks who maybe can't come into the church or can't 5 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:26,200 commit to going out on a weeknight to be part of a life group but online life 6 00:00:26,200 --> 00:00:29,440 groups are something that we've been doing here at Trinity for a few years 7 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:33,240 and so I just want to take some time and chat with some folks who are part of 8 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:41,280 online life groups and so I will just welcome those folks with us. So we have 9 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:48,400 Charles and Pat and Ryan and Jessica and so I just want to get you folks to start 10 00:00:48,400 --> 00:00:54,200 maybe just introduce yourself a little bit and say what made you decide to be 11 00:00:54,200 --> 00:01:00,560 part of an online life group. So perhaps Charles we'll start with you. Okay well 12 00:01:00,560 --> 00:01:08,560 life groups have been a important part of my life here at Trinity. In fact I was a 13 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:16,280 member of a life group before I actually attended Trinity Church. So in 1991 we 14 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:22,000 actually had some form of life group back then and I was a part of that and 15 00:01:22,000 --> 00:01:27,000 then it was only in 1992 our family joined Trinity and I've been in life 16 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:33,560 groups ever since. So there's been a lot of iterations but life groups I think are an 17 00:01:33,560 --> 00:01:43,440 important part of just being together as as Christians to encourage and to learn 18 00:01:43,440 --> 00:01:52,960 and to disciple one another. Great thank you. Pat what about you? Well my story 19 00:01:52,960 --> 00:01:59,880 sounds very similar to Charles. We've been at Trinity since 1998 and right 20 00:01:59,880 --> 00:02:06,600 from the very beginning I was able to get involved. The first time I did it was 21 00:02:06,600 --> 00:02:13,200 it was through a conversation with Diane Toysen. I said is there such a thing as 22 00:02:13,200 --> 00:02:20,600 a life group for women that often are in church singly? Not that they're single 23 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:30,400 people but how are you still at home? And she says no there isn't but there is a need. 24 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:38,200 How would you like to have one? So my story about life groups is I often opened my 25 00:02:38,200 --> 00:02:45,800 mouth and voice a thought and found myself in another situation where there 26 00:02:45,800 --> 00:02:52,000 would be a small life group for a certain amount of time but it's been important as 27 00:02:52,000 --> 00:03:01,200 Charles said it's the anchor that holds us to a community. I really believe it 28 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:07,060 because it's a small group of people that get to know each other well, learn to 29 00:03:07,060 --> 00:03:14,800 love each other well and to like each other too. So that's really an 30 00:03:14,800 --> 00:03:20,000 important reason for being in a life group and the question about why did I 31 00:03:20,000 --> 00:03:26,040 get involved in an online life group? Well I was in a life group already and COVID hit. 32 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:34,960 That was the launch for us. Now some of us in the group were very well 33 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:42,400 prepared to go this technical route. Others of us were not so well prepared. 34 00:03:42,400 --> 00:03:48,920 I still could not launch myself. I know how to sign in but it's somebody else who 35 00:03:48,920 --> 00:03:55,880 thought of setting up but that's why it started for our group and because the 36 00:03:55,880 --> 00:04:07,560 group that I'm in has more white haired people than not, we are now moving into the phases of our lives 37 00:04:07,560 --> 00:04:15,400 where mobility and getting out becomes more challenging and we're becoming 38 00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:23,720 caregivers for other people who have mobility and challenging. Zooming in to 39 00:04:23,720 --> 00:04:31,640 our life group has just been wonderful. It just meant we could continue to meet through COVID. 40 00:04:31,640 --> 00:04:41,120 But we found as we were meeting that this really astuted us so well and so 41 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:47,680 that's why I'm enthusiastic about the zooming into a life group because no 42 00:04:47,680 --> 00:04:52,640 matter what the weather is outside, no matter what the health issues of the 43 00:04:52,640 --> 00:04:59,560 week are, we can still get there easily. We have found that just because of the 44 00:04:59,560 --> 00:05:07,200 setup, just as we're all on screen now, it's almost as good as being in the same room. 45 00:05:07,320 --> 00:05:11,320 Thanks Pat. Ryan and Jessica, what about you folks? 46 00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:20,640 Yeah so the two of us moved to Mississauga about three years ago and you 47 00:05:20,640 --> 00:05:26,320 know completely new to the area, didn't know anyone really. So found Trinity and 48 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:30,840 once we decided that that was going to be our church home, we knew we wanted to 49 00:05:30,840 --> 00:05:37,000 get connected and involved. So yeah looking at just different life groups 50 00:05:37,000 --> 00:05:44,280 and we're interested in the one we're in because it's geared more towards young 51 00:05:44,280 --> 00:05:50,560 adults and just we wanted to get to know more people in our age group, in the 52 00:05:50,560 --> 00:05:55,520 church, so yeah that was a great way for us to do that. I'm trying to remember if 53 00:05:55,520 --> 00:06:00,720 it was was it Jordan or was it Jessie that introduced or was it you Kyla? I don't 54 00:06:00,720 --> 00:06:08,040 remember. It could have been all three of you together to bring us in but we greatly 55 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:14,880 appreciated it. Yeah. We still do. Great and I'm wondering if anybody has any 56 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:18,480 stories from their life group, maybe a favorite memory or something that's 57 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:23,440 been really meaningful for you? I'm glad you sent some questions ahead of time so 58 00:06:23,440 --> 00:06:27,520 I could think through you know. I mean this is obviously been a lot of 59 00:06:27,520 --> 00:06:34,360 meaningful memories. Particularly when people are willing to be open and 60 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:40,480 vulnerable and you work through a challenging situation that somebody's 61 00:06:40,480 --> 00:06:45,760 going through as a group you know and you support them and support one another 62 00:06:45,760 --> 00:06:51,640 but actually one of the most meaningful memories of being part of a life group 63 00:06:51,640 --> 00:07:03,600 occurred just a few months ago. We meet online. It's mostly the senior men and 64 00:07:03,600 --> 00:07:10,360 the Trinity. In fact I joked when I joined the group that it's one of the 65 00:07:10,360 --> 00:07:19,840 few groups I've joined recently in which I've lowered the average age. But we 66 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:27,400 met originally in person in GermFlex basement and we did that for a number of 67 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:33,880 years and then as Pat said COVID hit and then we had the decision to make. So we 68 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:38,360 had a few technical hurdles but we did go online and we managed through the 69 00:07:38,360 --> 00:07:45,320 pandemic and we had some valuable time together. Then after the pandemic 70 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:51,800 subsided we thought shall we go back together again as a group and one of the 71 00:07:51,800 --> 00:07:58,040 problems was that we had around about 14 people at that time and that was just 72 00:07:58,040 --> 00:08:04,080 maybe too many people to fit in Jim's basement. So we decided to 73 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:11,080 stay online and also there's the convenience that people can join from 74 00:08:11,080 --> 00:08:20,480 wherever they are. We've had people join from golf courses 75 00:08:20,480 --> 00:08:26,960 waiting for a doctor's appointment or something or in their 76 00:08:26,960 --> 00:08:33,080 car in a car park somewhere. Also people outside of the area you know if they 77 00:08:33,080 --> 00:08:39,520 move away they can still be part of our group. So that's one of the advantages of 78 00:08:39,520 --> 00:08:48,520 the online experience. But my meaningful memory was of Gary Plarson who took over 79 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:57,200 the leadership of Jim Flagg for our group. He was quite instrumental in 80 00:08:57,200 --> 00:09:05,400 ensuring that we met longer. We used to just meet for a few weeks in the spring 81 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:11,160 and then also in the fall but he wanted to go through, find out to summer, take a 82 00:09:11,160 --> 00:09:17,840 brief break and then have fall and into the winter. Alright great guy. Anyway 83 00:09:17,840 --> 00:09:23,760 unfortunately he got seriously ill and he was admitted to Credit Valley 84 00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:33,200 Hospital and he was there for about 12 weeks. But I think he only missed one or 85 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:40,440 two meetings. He was there in the hospital bed with tubes going in and out of him 86 00:09:40,440 --> 00:09:48,760 with his phone being part of our group. I mean it was such a testament to 87 00:09:48,760 --> 00:09:54,960 his dedication to the group and also the importance for him you know of actually 88 00:09:54,960 --> 00:10:02,560 meeting together with us. And that's so much to me and each one in the group. 89 00:10:02,560 --> 00:10:08,960 Yeah. Oh thank you. That's really neat Charles. People can definitely join from 90 00:10:08,960 --> 00:10:15,600 anywhere I guess. I think for us I would say I'll try remembering I don't 91 00:10:15,600 --> 00:10:20,840 remember the exact date but it was like in a winter whether it was last winter 92 00:10:20,840 --> 00:10:28,120 or two winters ago our group decided to do a volunteer ship at Open Door and 93 00:10:28,120 --> 00:10:33,840 Kyle you were part of that and that I felt to me and Jess and I it was really 94 00:10:33,840 --> 00:10:38,600 special because it was we were doing something not just to benefit ourselves 95 00:10:38,600 --> 00:10:44,840 but to benefit other people in need and big time. So that I think was kind of a 96 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:51,520 favorite moment or memory for our group. I'm just going to change that question a 97 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:56,960 little bit not to. I'm going to eliminate memory and I'm going to say what's your favorite or 98 00:10:56,960 --> 00:11:04,960 most meaningful aspect of your life group. Sure. We follow a certain format 99 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:10,480 there's we come together we we share our news of the week we share anything 100 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:16,560 personal like that and then we have a specific devotional book that we're 101 00:11:16,560 --> 00:11:23,240 following that we do that and then we get to prayer time and I really believe 102 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:32,160 that our prayer life has been enriched by being online. Now that sounds kind of 103 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:40,000 odd but everybody is in their own personal space and all inhibitions seem 104 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:48,840 to just melt away and our prayer life is just remarkable and sometimes very very 105 00:11:48,840 --> 00:11:53,640 long and you know how sometimes when you're in a in a group setting where 106 00:11:53,640 --> 00:11:58,160 you're physically there you keep reminding yourself you better cut this 107 00:11:58,160 --> 00:12:04,360 off you better stop talking too much kind of thing. So that's the part of our 108 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:09,320 group and I love it all and I love all the women that are in this group but that the part of 109 00:12:09,320 --> 00:12:16,320 our get-together when we actually pray together has been just remarkable and it 110 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:22,560 just continues to be fun you know so that's what I like best about my my 111 00:12:22,560 --> 00:12:27,600 online life group. Yeah yeah that that's really neat thank you thank you for 112 00:12:27,600 --> 00:12:34,160 sharing that Pat. So sometimes we might think that if you're in an online group 113 00:12:34,160 --> 00:12:38,400 then it's harder to get to know the other people in your group maybe it's 114 00:12:38,400 --> 00:12:43,280 harder to build a sense of connection or friendship so what are some of the ways 115 00:12:43,280 --> 00:12:47,280 that in your experience you've been able to build friendships or build 116 00:12:47,280 --> 00:12:53,480 connection with people even if you only see each other online or only see each 117 00:12:53,480 --> 00:12:59,800 other regularly online maybe? For us our group does a bunch of different things 118 00:12:59,800 --> 00:13:05,760 one thing is like we start our meetings always like just with a check-in casual 119 00:13:05,760 --> 00:13:10,320 chat of like how your day went how your week went kind of just checking in with 120 00:13:10,320 --> 00:13:17,600 each other that way and we also have a WhatsApp group where we can just message 121 00:13:17,600 --> 00:13:25,200 each other what's going on in our life and just yeah sure what's happening 122 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:31,960 with each other and then we also we also do organize once in a while meetings 123 00:13:31,960 --> 00:13:40,760 where we do gather in person and go out to eat or play a game or something like 124 00:13:40,760 --> 00:13:51,280 that so yeah one one thing that we did we all did the Sabbath habits I forget 125 00:13:51,280 --> 00:13:58,360 what it was called exactly Sabbath course I think yeah yes study course we all did 126 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:04,200 that as a group and then at the end we all gathered together and had like a 127 00:14:04,200 --> 00:14:12,840 Sabbath dinner together so that was really cool. Yeah great thank you. We make a point of 128 00:14:12,840 --> 00:14:19,600 getting together physically a couple or three times throughout the year it seems 129 00:14:19,600 --> 00:14:25,800 that the years are flying by faster for all of us now and so just we we make a 130 00:14:25,800 --> 00:14:34,560 point of having time together physically or coffee or for lunch so that we don't 131 00:14:34,560 --> 00:14:39,480 have to just be satisfied with virtual hugs we can actually have real hugs with 132 00:14:39,480 --> 00:14:47,040 each other. Yeah no that's nice. As you grow together as a group you build trust 133 00:14:47,040 --> 00:14:52,680 because you're sharing neutral vulnerabilities you've been open and 134 00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:58,800 honest with each other and so with that trust it's okay to laugh at one another 135 00:14:58,800 --> 00:15:05,520 humor is important you know so some of the guys yes we enjoy just rubbing one 136 00:15:05,520 --> 00:15:12,120 another as well. Sure yeah I know that happens in our group as well for sure 137 00:15:12,120 --> 00:15:20,640 and so as I mentioned this is our life group launch Sunday and so perhaps there 138 00:15:20,640 --> 00:15:24,320 are folks who aren't part of a life group right now but are thinking about joining 139 00:15:24,320 --> 00:15:29,160 one so what would you say to someone who's maybe on the fence and thinking 140 00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:33,000 about should I join a life group should I join an online life group what would 141 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:41,600 you say to those folks? Do it. Okay. Seriously be a part of a life group but 142 00:15:41,600 --> 00:15:46,680 you've got to ask yourself what what are you looking for 143 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:52,400 what are you comfortable with okay are you more comfortable in an online setting 144 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:56,960 you know you have a little bit more control okay I mean you can leave when 145 00:15:56,960 --> 00:16:08,280 you want but I think it's so important to be part of a smaller community you 146 00:16:08,280 --> 00:16:15,800 know just learning to follow Jesus and just being courage so be a part of that 147 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:21,280 if you want to go online you know are you are you comfortable with technology 148 00:16:21,280 --> 00:16:30,800 because you know sometimes Zoom can be challenging and also there are 149 00:16:30,800 --> 00:16:36,440 limits to online relationships so there's parts said you know we also try 150 00:16:36,440 --> 00:16:42,480 and have a barbecue during the summer I think so we have some time together 151 00:16:42,480 --> 00:16:48,600 physically as well plus we take time to either have a lunch with one or two of 152 00:16:48,600 --> 00:16:57,640 the other members or we meet at Trinity sometimes. Right. That's great. And I would echo what Ryan said just do it 153 00:16:57,640 --> 00:17:05,520 try it because the people involved in life groups at Trinity are people that 154 00:17:05,520 --> 00:17:15,840 are open to welcoming and I think that if you have any inclination or any 155 00:17:15,840 --> 00:17:24,680 questions about it give it a try be in touch with with you Tyler and and get 156 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:31,040 hooked up with the group and give it a try. That should be the slogan is 157 00:17:31,040 --> 00:17:38,040 just do it. I think that was Nike's slogan for a little bit. 158 00:17:38,040 --> 00:17:48,720 Life groups, why not? Why not? Give it a try. Well thank you folks so much for 159 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:54,380 for joining us and for this this really great conversation and and as you have 160 00:17:54,380 --> 00:17:58,400 heard them all now say if life groups is something that you're thinking about 161 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:03,240 just do it. Feel free to reach out to myself or to reach out to Sally who 162 00:18:03,240 --> 00:18:07,560 helps to coordinate our life groups and we would love to get you connected and 163 00:18:07,560 --> 00:18:13,240 involved. So thank you for joining us for this episode of Trinity Talks and we'll 164 00:18:13,240 --> 00:18:29,080 see you again next time.