Our small groups are back after a holiday break! If you’re looking to find a way to connect with new spiritual friends and fight COVID isolation, we hope that one of the options below will be right for you. We are especially excited to welcome new folks to our community, so please take the risk of reaching out to us!
Questions?
Contact Pastor Gary VanderPol (gary@churchwithoutwallsberkeley.org) with any questions that you might have. Responses guaranteed within 24 hours! 🙂
Life Groups
The Original Virtual Group
led by Jake Qian
Tuesday evenings, 8:15 – 9:30 pm
Our group exists to form community and discipleship for people in circumstances that makes attending a weekly, in-person group challenging (e.g., parents of young children).
Hesed

Racial Justice Lab
led by Lynn Lee & Kim Winkleman
Thursday afternoons, 1:00-2:00
This group experiments with creating a compassionate space that pays special attention to dismantling white supremacy in all the ways we worship Jesus.
Environmental Justice Learning Community
led by Gary VanderPol
Meets once a month in 2021
From the first page of the Bible, God gave us the honor of caring for this very good world. Healing our beautiful but battered planet remains one of our most fundamental callings. Shouldn’t Christians be known for our environmental justice activism? Our group will does the hard work of activism and lifestyle change in community, unlocking how a little church like ours can effectively combat a big issue like climate change.
Spirituality in Everyday Life
led by Loretta Matty and Erin Schweng
Tuesday evenings, 7:30 – 9:00 pm
*Note: this group is currently full, but please check back later for availability!*
We have an unstructured approach, but often include worship songs and time for sharing. We attempt to understand and experience Ignatian spirituality as well as engaging with historic and present injustice, especially as it regards race, in our culture.
Pastoral Care Circles
Build community & find support
led by Vinita Lee & Gustavo Smok
Bi-weekly on Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30pm
Pastoral Care Circles provide a space for connection, bonding and community. Come, be seen, and be heard in a safe, supportive environment. This is a valuable time to receive as well as to give support. NO commitment required.
Spiritual Direction Groups
Led by Sharon Henthorn-Iwane
Meeting when it’s convenient for you-please inquire!
God is speaking, but how do I hear him? Through group spiritual direction, we will form a little community that assists people in ongoing individual discernment.
Bite-sized Bible Studies
Go deep into John 15