Fall 2026 SMALL GROUPS
Our fall small groups are in process. Email communications@sanctuaryic.org if you have any questions about a group.
College/Young Adult Neighbors
- Led by Steph Tutson. Join Neighbors of Iowa City for a small group for college student and young adults. The small group is focused on building community, sharing food, and creating space to explore faith through reading Bible stories together. Meets Tuesday evenings, twice a month.
Craft Night Group
- Led by Annika Zimmer. Come join us for Craft Night! Please bring your current project or plan to start a new project. All crafting abilities are welcome (knitting, crocheting, coloring, etc). Meets Wednesday or Thursday evenings at Sanctuary; dates TBD.
Dish, Dish, Dish!
- Led by Rachael & Kevin Bordelon. Do you have young kids? Do you want to connect with others around the same stage of life? Do you want to have conversations with other adults while there's childcare? Join us as we "dish, dish, dish!" We'll share dishes, dish about life, and "dish" off the kids. Hosted by Rachael and Kevin Bordelon, this group is for families with children from infants through elementary(ish). Meets at the Bordelon home on the eastside Iowa City for a potluck-style meal, and then we'll connect and share together. Childcare will be provided; contributions are welcome, but not required. Dates and times TBD.
Encounter AWE in Your Daily Life
- Led by Karen Nelson Rietz & Valerie Keffala. Microdosing mindfulness? Join us for this experiential discussion of the power of awe. We will discuss awe from scripture, the arts, and especially your daily experience. Each session will include time for meditation. Meets Sunday, 8:30-9:30 AM at Sanctuary, on 9/27, 10/11, 10/25, and 11/1.
Exploring Faith through Fiction
- Led by Lori Chasse, Valerie Keffala, & Greg Teets. Join us for a book club conversation around three works of fiction and reflect on our evolving faith. We will read Small Gods by Terry Pratchet, Blood Over Bright Haven by M. L. Wang, and Circe by Madeline Miller. Group meets virtually on Zoom on 10/4, 11/1, and 12/6, 6:30-8:00 PM.
Fall Playgroup
- Led by Lianna Cornally. Join others with young children for some playgroup days from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Sanctuary. This is a laid back, free, friendly gathering for anyone with young kids to attend. We'll have coffee, tea, snacks, and plenty of toys. Dates TBD, October-December.
Falling Upward Discussion Group
- Led by Steve Yagla. Join us in a reading discussion group of Richard Rohr’s Falling Upward. All spiritual traditions teach that life is a journey. The task of the first half of life is to build the ego through self-discovery, belonging to a group, and creating an identity. But there is a second half of life that awaits us when faced with failing, suffering and loss. This second-half-of-life journey relies on inner knowing cultivated by depth and the capacity to reflect and be transformed by what we encounter. Some arrive at the second journey much earlier, even as children; others arrive later in life; and still others never go there at all. Whatever your stage in life you are welcome to join us on the journey. Group meeting dates and times TBD.
Gay-Bi Men’s Fellowship
- Led by Aaron Burmeister and Derrick Clark. A welcoming space for all queer men to connect, reflect, and grow together. This small group offers fun activities, meaningful conversation, spiritual exploration, and mutual support. Scheduled dates for activities: 9/27, 10/18, 11/18, 12/20. Come when you can. Come as you are. Click the Activities Survey button to indicate interest for specific events.
The New Perimenopause: Because Apparently Nobody Warned Us!
- Led by Pam Larson & Lianna Cornally. Are you tired but can’t sleep? Forgetting why you walked into a room? Suddenly hot, emotional, irritated, or wondering who replaced your normal self with a hormonal rollercoaster? You’re not alone—and you’re definitely not imagining it! Using Dr. Mary Claire Haver’s The New Perimenopause as our guide, we’ll laugh, learn, and talk honestly about the often-confusing years leading up to menopause. We’ll explore hormones, brain fog, sleep, mood, energy, changing cycles, sex, and advocating for better healthcare. No shame, no judgment, and no pretending we have it all figured out. Just good conversation, useful information, and women figuring it out together. Meeting dates and times TBD.
Separation of Church and Hate
- Led by Jone Johnson & Jan Powers. Join others to read the 2025 book Separation of Church and Hate by John Fugelsang. We will read this book along with our Bibles, examining Christ’s recorded words and actions. We will discuss being followers of Christ who want to support the marginalized. Our discussion topics will cover immigration, rising anti-feminism, homophobia in the church and more. Meets Tuesdays from 7 - 8:15 PM: Sept. 22, 29, Oct. 6, 20, Nov. 10 & Nov. 17.
Tree Huggers
- Led by Amy Kraber and Lori Chasse. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "The creation of a thousand forests is in one acorn." If that makes you want to find some acorns to marvel at, you'll probably love this group! Join us as we journey to various historically significant or simply beautiful trees in the Iowa City area and share their stories. It's autumn, so we'll find some acorns, some chestnuts, and view some pretty foliage. Everyone's invited. This is a multigenerational group. Come when you can and we'll marvel at the trees before we say goodbye to their leaves until spring. We'll meet on the following Sundays (generally after church): 9/27, 10/11, 10/25, 11/15, 12/13.