Spiritual Formation
Spiritual Formation & Mid-Week Groups
Spiritual Formation & Mid-Week Groups
Spiritual Formation
10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Sundays
We’re excited to announce that Spiritual Formation is back and in full force! This is a dedicated time to connect with one another, build community, and grow in our faith together.
Whether you’re new or returning, we invite you to explore the various offerings designed to support your spiritual journey. For more details, please see the graphics below.
Let’s grow together!
Spiritual Formation
University of La Verne Homecoming Brunch
Join us for the University of La Verne’s Homecoming Brunch hosted at the La Verne Church of the Brethren! It’s a perfect opportunity to come together, celebrate, and nourish both our minds and bodies. Everybody is welcome! Whether you’re a ULV alum or not! Bring your friends, family, and community spirit to this joyful gathering.
Don’t miss this year’s University of La Verne Homecoming Weekend by visiting our website at: Laverne.edu/homecoming. See you there! Go Leos!
Location: Courtyard
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, October 5th | 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 a.m.
Membership Class with Co-Pastors Amanda Bennett & Glenn McCrickard
New to church? Curious about the history of the Church of the Brethren? Interested in what it means to become a member of the church? Join our pastors as they lead a membership class using the book Another Way of Believing by Dale W. Brown.
This class will also have a Zoom participation option. If you plan to attend via Zoom, please email office@lavernecob.org to receive the Zoom link.
On Sunday, October 5th at 11:45 a.m. we will meet in the church library (after the brunch) to reflect together on pages 109-170. If you don’t finish the reading, that is okay, come as you are.
At the conclusion of this series, an opportunity to join the congregation officially will be scheduled for an upcoming worship service.
Location: Social Hall
Who: Adults
Day/Time: Sunday, October 5th at 11:45 a.m. and October 12th at 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
“Joyful Noise”
Join Randy Miller as he fills the Aqua room with joyful noise while playing his guitar and singing songs new and old.
Location: Aqua Room
Who: Birth – Kindergarten
Day/Time: Sunday, October 12th | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
“Peacemakers”
Join Linda Himes as she explores peacemaking through music, play, stories and creative expression.
Location: Yellow Room
Who: 1st – 5th Grade
Day/Time: Sunday, October 12th | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
“Dia De Los Muertos”
Join Katy Herder and explore the meaning of Dia De Los Muertos while painting sugar skulls.
Location: Rainbow Room
Who: Middle and High School
Day/Time: Sunday, October 12th | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Apartheid Study Series
As our congregation continues to discern a response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Middle East, you are invited to join us as we conclude this study. This series explored the concept of apartheid. Together, we examined the definition of apartheid, how the determination was made, and discussed how we, as a community of faith, can engage in the work of peace and justice in Palestine and Israel.
Location: Fireside Room
Who: Adults
Day/Time: Sunday, October 12th | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Friendship Class
Join Al Clark as he concludes Friendship Class. Enjoy the inspiring lecture of Dr. Amy-Jill Levine, award-winning Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt University. Friendship Class will explore several lesser-known great figures of the New Testament.
On October 12th, Dr. Levine’s topic will be the (in)famous Mary Magdalene.
Everyone is welcome to the discussion. The class session begins with an introduction followed by a stimulating, fast-paced presentation on DVD and closes with a discussion of the video presentation and its messages. Friendship Class is a friendly environment for dialogue together!
Location: Church Library (in-person) & Zoom Option
Who: Adults
Day/Time: Sunday, October 12th | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Book Study with Janice Shaw-Morgan
Continuing with the theme, “The Fruit of the Spirit is Peace/El Fruto del Espiritu es la Paz,” the District Program Committee has selected a 118-page devotional study book entitled Practicing the Prayer of St. Francis by Patrick Allen.
In this book, the author breaks down each section of the famous prayer and gives insights, examples, and connections to other scripture. Join Janice Shaw-Morgan as she concludes this Spiritual Formation group around this book.
Location: Village Room
Who: Adults
Day/Time: Sunday, October 12th | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Hope 4 Home
We are a Matthew 25 Movement congregation, seeking to protect and defend the vulnerable in the name of Jesus. One way we work at this pledge is by providing meals to Hope for Home, a local transitional housing center in Pomona. All ages are invited to participate in meal preparations. For questions, email our kitchen ministries coordinator, Tron Passmore at kitchen@lavernecob.org
Led By: Tron Passmore
Location: Church Kitchen
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, October 12th 2025 | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
All-Church Council
Please join us for our 3rd All-Church Council Meeting of the year on October 19th, immediately following worship. Council meetings are where the business of the church happens, covering budgets, updates, leadership elections, and more. Your voice matters, and your presence helps shape the future of our beloved community.
A light reception will precede the meeting, so come early, enjoy some refreshments, and connect with fellow members before we begin. We look forward to seeing you there!
Volunteers Needed
If you would like to volunteer, please see Tron in the kitchen or sign-up at the nosh cart.
Location: Fellowship Hall
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, October 19th | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF
Come to church dressed up (anyone who wants to dress up) in your Halloween costume and collect donations for UNICEF, an organization that works to save and protect children around the world.
Location: Following Worship on the Courtyard
Ages: All
Day/Time: Sunday, October 26th | 10:45 a.m.
Congregational Ethics Training Engagement
The Personnel Commission invites the congregation into opportunities for growth and reflection around our denomination’s congregational ethics practices throughout the year:
1) Best Practices for Hard Times: Council Meeting Moments & Spiritual Formation Opportunities
2) Supporting Our Pastors and One Another: Body, Heart, Mind & Soul
For dates and times, please see below.
Best Practices for Hard Times: Council Meeting Moments & Spiritual Formation Opportunities
October 19th, 2025 | 10:45 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. during the All-Church Council Meeting
During our All-Church Council gatherings, Personnel Commission member Reba Herder will guide us in exploring congregational ethics in meaningful and practical ways. The first of these reflections will take place on Sunday, October 19. To begin engaging now, you are invited to review the denominational congregational ethics paper, available here:
Also, in the spring, Spiritual Formation opportunities will be offered in small group settings, as well as children’s activities. More information on those to come.
Supporting Our Pastors and One Another: Body, Heart, Mind & Soul
Sunday, October 26th | Worship at 9:30 a.m. and All-Church Spiritual Formation from 10:45 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
On Sunday, October 26, our district executive minister, Russ Matteson, will share a message in worship on how we can support one another, our pastors, and our staff. Following worship, an All-Church Spiritual Formation session will provide space to go deeper into these themes. All who call La Verne Church of the Brethren their faith community are warmly encouraged to participate.
Celebrate Dia De Los Muertos
After church, the youth will be taking a train to Olvera Street to experience the Dia De Los Muertos Festival. For more information or to RSVP for this event please email Jami Guillen at children@lavernecob.org.
Ages: Youth
Day/Time: Sunday, October 26th | 10:45 a.m.