CREATING CONNECTIONS

Pastor Affinity Group (South)

A two-year affinity group for pastors serving small and/or rural congregations in southwestern PA, northern WV and southeastern OH. 

Launch date: Spring 2024
Meeting Location: Waynesburg, PA
Facilitator: Bill Sukolsky
Cost: $100

Pastor Affinity Group (North)

A two-year affinity group for pastors serving small and/or rural congregations in northwestern PA, southwestern NY, and northeastern OH.

Launch date: October 9, 2024 • 9AM–12PM
Meeting Location: Grove City College
Facilitators: Charlie Cotherman
Cost: $200*

Women's (Life Together) Affinity Group

Building Christ-centered community for women in rural and small-town ministry contexts who desire to connect learn, pray, and grow together.

Preaching Peers Affinity Group

Preachers need each other, stimulating ideas, and encouragement in ministry. This group provides exactly that place to engage with other pastors, to discuss ideas, and to encourage each other as we serve the Lord in the local church. Preaching Peers invites pastors to stretch themselves as they read a book, discuss it in a convenient online environment, and then come together in person to engage with each other over lunch at the conclusion to the program. 

Meeting Dates: Nov. 4, Dec. 8, 2026
Meeting Location: Online & Grove City College
Facilitators: Scott Gibson
Cost: $50

Reading for Rural Flourishing Group

Hannah Coulter  by Wendell Berry

This spring, Grove City College is hosting a conference on the writings of Wendell Berry, and singer-songwriter Andrew Peterson will be coming to give a lecture on Berry and perform a concert. In conjunction with this conference, the Center for Rural Ministry is hosting this reading group to discuss one of Berry’s most beloved novels.

Set in the struggling rural town of Port William, Hannah Coulter recounts one woman’s faltering efforts to live a faithful, generous life. Near the end of her life, she testifies to what she has learned: “You mustn’t wish for another life. You mustn’t want to be someone else. What you must do is this: ‘Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks.’ I am not all the way capable of so much, but those are the right instructions.

Meeting dates: February 6 & March 13, 2025, 7:00-8:30pm
Meeting Location: Grove City College, Rathburn Hall
Facilitator: Dr. Jeffrey Bilbro, GCC Associate Professor of English

Special Needs & Mental Health Affinity Group

A one-year affinity group for lay leaders and pastors to think well about special needs and mental health in the church. It will provide the tools, community, and encouragement to grow, collaborate, and serve this often neglected population in congregations.

Launch date: February 11, 2025, 6:00-8:00PM
Meeting Dates: February 11, April 8, June 3, August 5
Meeting Location: Grove City College & North Hills Christian Church (varies)
Facilitator: Dr. Jennifer Hollenberger, GCC Associate Professor of Social Work
Cost: Free