Two reasons we participate in our Small Groups are to connect with friends and community, and to be transformed by relating to others on a deeper level. We come to be sociable, find support, and transform spiritually. We find commonality and friendships in our small groups. Come join us on your spiritual journey by choosing a small group below.

On the first Sunday of the month at 12:45 p.m. following the service a group of youth, young adults, and adults gather to explore Spirit in Practice. This is a curriculum from the Unitarian Universalist Tapestry series. It is a 10-part series based on the Zen series of spiritual wholeness. we are exploring the 8 spiritual practices, which range from body practices to devotional practices. This is an overview of all the practices a person can incorporate into his or her spiritual being. An outcome of this series will be to form small groups to continue a specific spiritual practice. All are welcome to join in the series at any time.

- Lily Munson

The journey of this small group has many paths.

Carbon Ring: The Carbon Ring was created last year at a workshop held by the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California (UULMca). This workshop was sponsored by the UULMca Water/Climate Change Team. They introduced several of our members and friends to a program involving reducing our carbon footprint. Following the workshop several of us started to gather together on the second Sunday of the month at 12:45 p.m. to educate ourselves about climate change and work towards reducing our household carbon footprint. We have a goal of reducing our household carbon footprints by 5,000 lbs. by Earth Day 2009. Along with our youth we are also reducing the carbon footprint of Throop Church.

Water Classes: We have held water classes about the lack of water and the crubbling structure of our water system in California.

Sustainable Garden: One of the projects our Sustainable Garden Team is working on is replanting the grounds around our church with water-tolerant plants and edible plants.

Ethical Eating: Another group of our members is exploring the Ethical Eating Study Issue from the Unitarian Universalist Association. We will be exploring this topic through worship, discussion groups, and social action.

- Mary Jane Holden

On the thrid Sunday of the month at 12:45 p.m. we invite our newcomers, members, and friends to take the journey we name Throop Church. This path involves three steps. The first step is participating in UU Who? This a one-time gathering where we share all you can learn about Unitarian Universalism in one hour. The second step is participating in Throop Orientation. This is a one-time gathering where we discuss the structure of Throop Church and the Unitarian Universalist religion in general. And the final step is a four-part class called Our Gifts where we discover our personal gifts and how we can share them with the Throop community.

- Mary Jane Holden

Building the World We Dream About is a series of worship experiences, small group discussions, and reflection groups designed to education the participants about anti-racism moving towards a multicultural community. This topic is an on-going thread we explore here at Throop. Soon we will be starting a new reflection group on the forth Sunday of the month at 12:45 p.m. based on sharing our journeys of identity.

- Mary Jane Holden

Every Sunday morning from 10:00 a.m. to 10:50 a.m. a serious and inquisitive group gathers in the Fireside Room near Throop Hall to hear a presentation and discuss topics designed to expand our knowledge of how our liberal religion has developed. Our discussions have alternated between our continuing exploration of the Transcendental Movement in America and Existentialism and the Meaning of Life; and in-depth, follow-up discussions and explorations of the previous sermons.

Our exploration of the Unitarian Universalist religion started with the Transcendentalist Movement in America began last year. Our group grew so large and enthusiastic that we’ve decided to continue the journey. Last season we read and discussed the teachings and practice of renowned nineteenth century Unitarians and Universalists like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, William Ellery Channing, and Henry David Thoreau. Their writings and lectures provided intellectual and moral leadership for many social transformations in this country, including the abolition of slavery, equal rights for women, freedom of religious thought and practices of education reform. This year, we will continue the format of half-hour lectures followed by a 20 -minute discussion, all centered around the topic of "No Excuses: Existentialism and the Meaning of Life." The exploration begins with the writing of Albert Camus and The Stranger.

Meanwhile, on alternative weeks the Adult Discussion group added something new. The program will begin at 10:00 a.m. as usual with a replay of a previous sermon, followed by a discussion of the same subject. The sermons by Rev. Clyde Grubbs and others are so packed with information and inspiration, many members have asked for additional time to think them through and discuss them further. A couple of the sermon topics discussed were "Darwin’s God" and "Turning Points in Liberal Religion (Theodore Parker)."

Everyone is invited to join in. The program begins at 10:00 a.m. sharp in the Fireside Room, and ends just a few minutes before the service begins in the Sanctuary at 11:00.

- Mary Jane Holden

Friday Night Gathering: Looking for a stress-free environment after a busy week? You’re invited to join us for a relaxing couple of hours doing nothing more than taking a break to play Mah Jong with other female members of the church, upstairs in a cozy corner of the second floor. We talk, we snack, we change the rules if it gets too complicated, and in the process we learn a lot about issues of the day and each others. It’s a great way to unwind and I look forward to it every week. No reservations required; just come on by the Morrison Room at 7:00 p.m. on the 2nd or 4th Fridays of the month. And no, you don’t have to know how to play Mah Jong. We have a “cheat” board up all the time…and we need it!

- Kathleen McGregor

Union Station Lunches: The first Thursday of each month, several of us gather to make 50 bag lunches for Union Station. We choose ahead of time what we can bring from the monthly list, such as meat, lettuce, or fruit, and we assemble the lunches as we chat. We have become pretty good at this, so we have even more time to enjoy each other’s company. Anyone is welcome to show up at 7:00 pm in the kitchen, and we'll happily put you to work. The more helpers we have the more fun we have.    

- Jean Prinz

A person’s journey to Unitarian Universalism often touches on many other religions and philosophies. Our group explores some of those faiths and philosophies through individual and group research and lively discussions. Participants are encouraged to bring up subjects of interest – anything from an individual belief to the meaning of a religious symbol. We’ve talked about Hinduism, Paganism, even the Masons. Some other areas of discussion mentioned have been Judaism, Native American beliefs, Taoism, etc.

The open structure of the meetings allows for “going off on tangents” as discussions tend to do. These instances only add to the experience. New group members are welcome to come join us any time. Everyone brings something of themselves to each meeting.

We meet the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month from 7:00 until we decide to stop talking.

- Marty Sanders

Do you like to read? Do you like to talk? Then we want you. We’re the Throop Book Group, and we meet every Thursday at 4:00 P.M. on the patio of Mijares Restaurant during its “Happy Hour.” These weekly gatherings of six to twelve literary aficionados join in a freewheeling discussion of the best of classical and current works by a diverse list of top authors. During the past year, the group has read and discussed works by three Nobel laureates, several Pulitzer Prize winners and National Book Award recipients, and world-renowned trendsetters of the past and present (and future?). We’ve covered everything from political satire (Animal Farm, Candide), and existentialism (Crime and Punishment, The Stranger) to Buddhism (Siddhartha), Judaism (The Chosen), religion (End of Faith, Left Behind), and The American Experience (Tortilla Flats, Herzog, The Pit), and we’ve read in every genre we can think of, including science fiction (A Wrinkle in Time, The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch, Slaughterhouse Five), magical realism (One Hundred Years of Solitude, The Story of Pi), mystery and crime (The Big Sleep, Word of Honor, The Historian), coming of age (The Secret Life of Bees, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night), and feminist activism (Jane Eyre, An Unreasonable Woman).
 
Each member of the Book Club takes a turn picking a book to discuss.  Members do not have to read the book in advance, since two, three, or even four weeks are allowed to discuss the work.  While the group meets at 4 o’clock, one can come later since the discussion lasts until six or sometimes even longer. And members do not have to attend every meeting or read every book. All that is required is congenial discussion and enthusiastic input. Contact Mary Jane Holden for a complete list of past and future books. We’ll see you on Thursday!

- John Hunnewell

On most Saturdays between 10 and noon, youth, young adults, and adults gather to draw or paint. As one of our members says, "After drawing I feel happy." Many of us draw people, we have help with Mary Jane's gift of teaching art. We are also painting a Tree of Knowledge for the back of the sanctuary. This painting will also have an abundance of fruit, animals and people. And most of all we draw or paint what our spirit tells us. We explore ourselves through drawing.

- Alice Munson

On the first Thursday of every month, one of our longest-running groups meet for a fun time. This group of long-time members and recent arrivals get together in Throop Hall for dessert and conversation. We have great desserts and discuss important subjects of the day (and anything else that comes to mind). Mostly we enjoy each other’s company, and learn more about our fellow members on a personal level – just the way we like it. We’d love to have you join us, any time or all the time. It’s a high point of the month for all of us, and new faces (and new desserts!) are always welcome at the table.

- Jackie McDaniel

We are a friendly and committed group of singers in the Throop Adult Choir, who sing in at least 75% of the services throughout the year simply because we love to. The Choir is open to everyone, regardless of experience or skill level, and you can join in at any time. Our Music Director, Gary Green, leads the group. Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings at 9:00, and last about an hour (so you can still attend the Adult Discussion, if you like). Robes will be provided when we wear them. No auditions or special approvals are required; just come join us on Sunday. You’ll be welcome! For more information, talk to our Music Director, Gary Green.

- Katrina Leung