What are Small Groups?
At Cedar Ridge we value both the opportunity to gather in a larger group on Sundays and in small groups. Small groups are an important part of how we live out our vision to follow Jesus and they give us a setting in which we can get to know one another better. By gathering in small groups, we can better care for each other, help one another grow spiritually and reach out to serve others together. It is our belief that we all need this kind of companionship and a closer connection to others than is possible in larger groups alone.
Typically, on Sundays our entire community, including children and youth, explore the same subject matter in age-appropriate ways. You can check out our current series here. Along with the Sunday messages, groups meet in our surrounding communities and on Zoom to more deeply explore the series topic. These smaller groups provide a setting in which we can get to know others a little better than on Sunday mornings.
Small groups have been instrumental over the years in CRCC and I have been blessed by being in a small group. It’s a place where deeper connections have been made with other believers. It is not always convenient for me to attend, but I attend when I can… It is a good place where we can share a little about what is going on in our lives. We laugh and cry together and support and encourage one another. Being in my small group has improved my life definitely.
What Small Groups are Currently Meeting?
Erin and Jeff Bailey's Group
Erin and Jeff are teachers at Paint Branch High School, and they have been attending Cedar Ridge for about two years. They enjoy helping to lead worship and serving alongside the community in which they teach. Their group meets on Sundays after the service (around 11:45 a.m.) at Cedar Ridge in room 203. They usually do not meet on Sundays when there is a church event. The group discusses that day’s sermon and how it applies to our lives, using the discussion questions as a guide. New members welcome!
Janet Heitkamp and Sandy Endicott's Group
Janet lives in Laurel and is retired from a long career in real estate. She enjoys meeting people, working with the children, and the discussions the small group dives into! Sandy is a retired IT Program Manager who loves to travel and enjoys spending time with family and friends. Both Janet and Sandy have been at Cedar Ridge for over 20 years. Their group meets on Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. They get together in person several times a year to do something special (e.g., paint rocks, walk in a park, or meet for lunch.) Currently the group is full.
Sarah and Andrew House's Group
Andrew and Sarah joined Cedar Ridge in 2017 after relocating from Houston, TX. Andrew works in Rockville in the biotech field. Sarah is an arts administrator. They have three children, James, Alyx, and Eve. Their group meets most Sundays after church from about 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Ashton (7 minutes from Cedar Ridge). They eat lunch together (each family brings their own food), and then the children go to the basement or outside to have fun while the adults go through the discussion questions. New members are very welcome!
Steve and Tinica Mather's Group
Steve and Tinica have been attending Cedar Ridge since the mid 90’s serving and leading in various roles. Professionally, Steve works as a teacher and Tinica works as a nurse and they have two grown children (one in college, one in high school). As a family, the Mathers have been hosting a discipleship group in Four Corners, Silver Spring for 15+ years. They gather on Sundays to share food, drinks, and stories. It’s generally a sizable gathering without an open seat at the moment.
Dan and Cindy Norell's Group
Dan and Cindy have retired from international development and teaching, respectively. They are especially interested in social justice issues and have lived and traveled in many different countries. They enjoy being group leaders and welcome new members. The group meets twice a month—usually once on Zoom, and once after the Sunday service at church in room 204. They enjoy the discussion questions, praying together, and providing support to each other through various means.
Riccardo Stoeckicht's Group
Riccardo has been part of Cedar Ridge for two years, and has made it his spiritual home, even while living in Delaware. He has worked in various corporate, non-profit, and start-up spaces, and currently runs a small heir search company in Delaware. The group meets on Tuesdays, 7-8:30 p.m. via Zoom. They start with personal check-ins, then go through the discussion questions, and end with a time of prayer. The group would love to receive new members.
Rebecca and Ethan Stryker's Group
Ethan and Rebecca have been attending Cedar Ridge since 2012. Originally from NY state, Ethan works for the government as a computer-programmer, and Rebecca is an eighth-grade math teacher. They have three kids and live in southern Howard County. Ethan helps with the youth program at church, and Rebecca sings on the worship team. Their groups meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Columbia. This is a pretty full group at the present time. Contact Rebecca or Ethan to see if there’s room for more.
What Other Groups are Available?
Pat and Dave Martinsen's Book Group
Pat and Dave Martinsen have been attending Cedar Ridge since 2012. They are retired and enjoy having two grandchildren in the area. They are avid readers. Their book group meets at 8:45 a.m. in room 203 for an hour before the Sunday service. Exercise your grey matter through challenging discussions brought on by theological and inspirational books! Start the day with stimulating conversation. For questions, please contact Dave.
Makers' Circle
Are you an artist, crafter, or maker? Keep your hands busy while you chat with like-minded creatives after the Sunday service once a quarter in the first floor of the barn. Bring your own project to work on. A few back-up materials will be available in case you forget something. If you’d like to receive reminders of upcoming gatherings, email Kate Thomas.