Small Group Gatherings
We believe that growing relationships and being in community together is important. Below are some of the small group gatherings we offer here at our church.
Group meetings are held in person or virtually on Zoom. Some are hybrid sessions with options for attending both in-person and online. See our weekly church newsletter and email for the Zoom links. Or you can contact your group leader. Helpful instructions on using Zoom can be found here.
If you’re not already involved in a group and would like to be, email the church office to be put in touch with the group leader.
Our small groups are particularly focused on how we serve each other here at PUMC. To learn more about how we serve others outside of PUMC, visit our Outreach Ministries page.
Pastor’s Bible Study — Tuesdays @ 9:30 am
Our Pastor’s Bible Study group meets weekly on Tuesdays at 9:30 am.
This is an interactive conversation where we read and discuss the Scripture text for the following Sunday. Everyone is welcome.
This is a hybrid small group session—meaning that participants have the option to attend in-person or on Zoom.
Pastor’s COntemplative Prayer Sessions — Mondays @ 12:15 pm
Join Pastor Margaret for a moment of quiet contemplation together as we seek to make time for reflection and prayer through a centering midday reset.
This is a Zoom-only meeting, so join us during your lunch hour. Even if you can’t log in for that half hour, feel free to take a moment knowing that we’re praying together and that God hears us even when we’re apart. Everyone is welcome.
BOOK CLUB — LAST THURSDAY OF the MONTH @ 7:00 PM
This group reads a book together and discusses it on the last Thursday of every month.
These meetings are held on Zoom at 7 p.m. All are welcome!
Look for the monthly reading selection in our email and print newsletters at the start of each month. If you’re not already on our email list, click here to get signed up.
Our church library also offers many helpful reading resources.
Art Words and Yoga — Wednesdays & Saturdays @ 10:00 AM
$10 suggested donation
Physical self-care is just as important to our health and well-being as any mental health or spiritual practice. Our A.W.A.Y. classes are designed to offer the ancient and everyday practice of yoga instruction woven together with the healing joy of art and words.
Participants begin with a brief art and writing exercise to set their intentions for practice and then move into a 20-30 minute yoga sequence. No previous art or yoga experience is required—accommodations for differing mobility levels, including chair yoga, are optional as well. Paper and markers are provided. Participants should bring a yoga mat and any props they would like such as a pillow or block.
Classes are led by Karrie Zylstra Myton, M.Ed., RYT 200. Visit https://www.artwordsandyoga.com to learn more.
Men’s Breakfast — 2nd SAturday of the Month @ 9:00 am
Our Men’s Breakfast Group meets at 9 a.m. on the second Saturday of every month at Charlie’s Restaurant in downtown Puyallup (click here for directions).
All men (he/him, they/them) of the church are welcome to join for a time of sharing and fellowship. No RSVP needed; we’ll see you there!
PuyalluP United Women IN Faith — Meets monthly (date varies) @ 10:30 am
Puyallup United Women in Faith (PUWF) is a fellowship of women who meet here at Puyallup UMC. They host many activities throughout the year. As a community, their purpose is to know God; experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; develop creative, supportive fellowship; and expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.
Their large focus is on improving the lives of women and children in our community. Places they support include: the Puyallup Food Bank, OASIS Youth Center, Associated Ministries, Family Renewal Shelter, St. Francis House, Good Samaritan Hospital’s S.T.A.R.T. program, and more.
All women (she/her, they/them) of the church are welcome. To be put in touch with a group leader, email the church office. For information about the national United Women in Faith organization, visit https://uwfaith.org.
Peace & Justice Group — On hiatus
Our Peace & Justice Study Group aims to address concerns about peace and justice by not only discussing but also taking action (ex., communicating with elected representatives and supporting community initiatives).
Its focus is on human rights, such as peacebuilding, immigration, indigenous peoples, and more. All are guided by the Social Principles outlined in the "Faith and Facts" cards from the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Church and Society.
This is an in-person-only class. Join us in putting feet to our faith.
Quilters Group — Tuesdays @ 10:00 am
Our Quilters group meets every Tuesday morning in person at the church at 10:00 a.m.
Members gather to chat and support one another while designing and sewing beautiful quilts. Each year, these quilts are blessed and distributed to non-profits throughout the state.
Reach out if you’re interested in this opportunity for ministry, sewing, and fellowship.
Christian experiences group — 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month @ 10:19 aM
Our Christian Experiences small group meets every other week. This hybrid class is held simultaneously on Zoom and in the church Library.
Different people will offer group prompts at each gathering, and discussions will adapt and go where the Spirit leads the group in that moment. All are welcome to attend.
Youth Group — Sundays @ 12:00 PM
Our Youth Group is a fun and safe space for junior and senior high-aged youth in grades 7-12 to come together, learn about God, and explore their faith. Here, they will be supported and loved, and able to feel confident in who they are as God created them to be.
They meet after worship every Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Reach out to the church office to be put in touch with our Youth Director, and visit our Youth Group page for more details.
Prayer Shawl Ministry — Second Thursday of the month @ 11:00 AM
A variety of members crochet and knit prayer shawls for our community. These shawls are then given to people both within the church and in our wider community who are having a difficult time. The shawl is a physical reminder that people care about them and are praying for them.
They meet in the Fireside room on the second Thursday of every month.
Lenten Book Study — Wednesdays @ 11:30 AM & 7:00 pM
This year, we will walk through the book Building Beloved Community: The Courage to Love in the Face of Tyranny. This is a call to action from our Council of Bishops to encourage churches to embody God's radical love and build inclusive, united communities.
Classes will be offered on Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. in the Church Library and on Zoom. These will run from Wednesday, February 25th, through April 1st.