Young women are sharing community, maybe dinner and discussing the faith-based topics that appear in every issue of Café. Each issue of Café features two articles with discussion questions and a closing prayer. You can download and print out the February 2017 issue, or follow along from the website if you have an Internet connection.
How to use this issue with a Cafe group:
Learn more about starting a Café group . Once you have a group, you can register it here.
1. Before your meeting, select an issue of Cafe to discuss. Download the monthly PDF below. You can also print the PDF or visit the article on-line if the internet is available.
2. Have each participate introduce themselves. You can also start with an ice breaker. (For example, have each person share about the meaning of their name.)
3. Lead an opening prayer (optional):
Opening prayer for meeting as a Café group:
Good and gracious God, we are gathered here to meet and discuss topics that affect our daily lives and faith. Help us to experience this time set apart from other worries and other demands of our time so that we may engage in healthy conversation in a safe environment and that we may build a community of women of faith. We thank you, God, for bringing us together and ask you to bless our time together as we seek to do your ministry here on earth. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
If you would like to pray for special intentions, feel free to add them at any segment.
4. Answer the discussion questions at the end of the articles.
5. Close the meeting with the closing prayer that is listed or add your own.
February 2017
Shame: The enemy of baptism
by Rozella Haydée White
Shame keeps us from living the life that God wants for us. More.
Lent: A time to rehydrate
by Karen Craigo
Challenges can make us brittle, turn us to dust, but the baptismal waters restore us. We’ll explore what it means to avoid living a dry life. More.
The spiritual practice of fasting
by Sarah Scherschligt
A look at the ancient practice of fasting and what it means for us today. More .
Three ways to add something for Lent
by Laura Gentry
Lent is not just about fasting; it’s about feasting. We’ll learn ways to add a spiritual discipline as you prepare for Lent. More.
Download February 2017
Beautiful Messages. Thank you very much for your response. Fasting is abstaining from food for a purpose.When the disciples of John asked Jesus the reason why his disciples were not fasting,he replied “when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast” [Mathew9:15].