Folds are places of safety and caring for sheep. The FOLDS (Small Groups) Ministry at St. Michael seeks to aid in discipling individuals in their walk with Christ. The acronym “FOLDS” stands for Fellowship, One-another caring, Learning, Doing, and Supplication.

Fellowship--meeting together with other Christians and with those who are seeking answers to life’s questions in an atmosphere that accepts each of us just as we are

One-another caring—living out Jesus’ definition of “love” as we seek to serve others in our small-group family

Learning—Studying and discussing the Bible AND learning how to apply the truths found therein to our lives

Doing—Performing ministry/mission--acts of caring and of service--outside the small group…in our congregation, in our community, and in our world

Supplication—Praying for each other, our families, our friends, and our church, our world

Why do we need the FOLDS Ministry?

We at St. Michael acknowledge Jesus Christ as our “Good Shepherd,” who says in John 10:14 and 15 that He knows His sheep and His sheep know Him. He further states that He is the One who lays down His life for His sheep. We further acknowledge that, in the words of Isaiah 53:6, “we all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.” So we all have sinned (“gone astray” and “turned to his own way”) and are in need of a Good Shepherd who will care for and lead us. Since “folds” are safe places for sheep to rest and to be fed, away from the cares of the world (and we ALL need a “safe place” where we can come together to rest and rejuvenate spiritually), we have implemented the FOLDS Ministry here at St. Michael.

What is the basis of the FOLDS Ministry?

Last words are seen as very important, and Jesus’ last words to His disciples as recorded in Matthew 28:19, are in the form of a command: “…go and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” We are to be in the “disciple-making business!” (“Disciples” are learners, imitators,and followers.)

The FOLDS Ministry also seeks to support the congregation’s mission statement…

Growing Disciples to

Proclaim the Gospel and to

Serve the Community

We seek support St. Michael’s mission statement by incorporating seven of the ten Marks of Discipleship into small-group life. These seven marks are:

Bible Study
Loving One Another
Prayer
Ministry
Servanthood
Sharing the Faith
Discipling Someone Else

Why are small groups so important?

Jesus Himself chose to teach His own disciples in a small group of twelve men who followed Him and learned from Him as He conducted His three-year public ministry. After Jesus ascended into Heaven, believers met together in homes as well as in the temple courts. In Acts 2:42-47, we are told that the believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, and to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” …”Every day they continued to meet together” and they “broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people…”

Today, as a member of one of St. Michael’s small group “FOLDS,” led by a trained and experienced “Shepherd,” you can expect to find the fellowship, caring, learning, doing, and prayer that Jesus modeled with His disciples—and that His Church originally experienced. Among eight or ten or twelve others, you can have a “safe place” to ask questions, to be cared for and to care for others, to study the Bible and learn to apply the Truths of Scripture to your life, to find a ministry or mission that will use the spiritual gifts that God the Holy Spirit gives to each believer, and to pray for your needs and for the needs of others.

How do I become a FOLDS Member?

You can become a member of a small group by contacting Pastor Bob or Pastor Dave, or by contacting any of the small-group leaders/shepherds (or you can call Carol Gladieux, Small Groups Director—home phone 260-693-2879 or church phone 260-432-2033). Any of us will be happy to answer your questions. We presently have the following small groups:

Family Fold #1 – led by John Hein, this small group meets on the 2 nd and 4 th Sunday evenings, 4:00 to 7:00 in homes, with children included one of those meetings
Young families #2 – led by Dave and Andrea Tarbet, they meet on the 2 nd and 4 th Sunday evenings, beginning at 5:00 and alternating homes (once per month with children)
Family Fold #3 – led by Dave and Tammy Panning, this fold meets on the 2 nd and 4 th Sunday evenings, alternating homes, at 5:00 (once per month with children)
S.A.L.T. Shakers – intergenerational group, led by Rick and Tammy Bruns, meets 2 nd and 4 th Friday evenings from 7:45 until 9:30, at the Bruns’ home
Care-A-Lots – led by Janet and Jim Maxson, this group meets on alternate Sunday evenings
Blended Families – Mark and Michele Smith lead this group, who meet on the 2 nd Friday and the 4 th Saturday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in homes, with a focus on the challenges of the “blended family”
Downtown Lunch Group – Tim Maxson leads this “lunch study group” on 1 st and 3 rd Tuesdays from noon until 1:00 p.m.
Even Stephens – led by Harry Jones, this group meets on 2 nd and 4 th Sunday evenings
ACTS of Stephen—led by Gary and Debbie Gotsch, they meet on 2 nd and 4 th Sundays from 7:00p.m. to 9:00 p.m., alternating homes
PM Moms – CHILDCARE is provided for young moms to meet at the church on alternate Wednesday afternoons from 12:30 – 2:30; the study is led by Carol Gladieux
Sewing Seeds – Women meet in Room 10 (Small Groups Ministry Office) to study on alternate Thursday afternoons (1:00 – 2:45), led by Vicki Steckbeck and Karen Henkel (no childcare provided).
Alpha Group—led by Dick and Shirley Fahlsing, with help from Dan and Karen Clendenen, Alpha group meets every two weeks
Rupp’s Troop—this group meets every two weeks and is led by Harry Jones
Faith Walkers—a women’s group, led by Dorothy Serafini, meeting every two weeks
Luther’s Knight-Mars—meeting every other week, this group is led by Bud and Marie Siegfried; the members have completed many local service projects
Grandpas & Grandmas—led by Jerry Egly, this group meets every two weeks
Retired Ladies Group—led by Charlotte Kiessling, this group meets at St. Michael every other week.
Man-in-the-Mirror Groups—three men’s groups meet to study the Word, pray, and fellowship; leaders are Jim Maxson, Dave Panning, and Tim Crum
Mothers of Preschoolers—led by Stephanie Maxson and Jen Ackmann, moms and little ones meet at the church for a time of fellowship (contact leaders for details)
Faith Walkers—Led by Dorothy Serafini, this women’s group meets on Sunday evenings twice per month in homes
Single Moms – Becky Chantelois leads this group; they meet every other Sunday afternoon at 1:00 in Room 10; CHILDCARE PROVIDED!
Retired Men & Women—Pastor Bob leads a group of retired people who meet at the church twice per month
Friday Ladies’ Group—Ladies, led by Charlotte Keissling, meet at the church for Bible study, fellowship, and prayer
Banners ‘N’ Blankets—Calling all women from 4 th grade to 101 wanting to meet once per month to work on blankets for Project Linus and A Hope Center and baptismal and sanctuary banners for St. Michael, plus devotions and prayer! (See bulletin/newsletter for details, or call Janet Olson, Pam Franklin, or Carol Gladieux.)

Coming soon: An Outdoors Group (men and women who have the gift of evangelism and discipleship and who love the “great outdoors”), a “Grounds Group” (people who will take care of our church campus grounds), re-formed S.A.L.T. (Single Adults Learning Together), and a new intergenerational women’s group! Also look forward to the “Young Marrieds” group led by Scott and Zara Hedtke.

AND--if you don’t see a group listed that meets your needs, call Carol Gladieux, Small Groups Ministry Director. Also, if you are interested in becoming a Shepherd (small-group facilitator), please see Pastor Bob, or Carol. We are very excited about the FOLDS Ministry at St. Michael, and we hope that you will be willing to “check it out” for yourself. Come—learn and grow along with us!

If you have questions, comments, suggestions or problems, Send us an email