Journey Groups
A path into deeper connection—with God, with others, and with this community
Joining UDLC is about finding companions for the road—people with whom you can share your story, explore faith, ask honest questions, and grow in relationship with God. Our Journey Groups are designed to do exactly that. They’re an open, hospitable pathway into life at UDLC, where newcomers of all backgrounds discover a sense of belonging and, for many, a home.
A Place for Everyone
People come to UDLC from many paths: lifelong Lutherans, Christians from other traditions, people of other religious backgrounds, and those exploring faith for the very first time. Our Journey Groups are built to honor each person’s story.
Wherever you are in your journey, there’s a place for you here. And there will always be an invitation waiting—another gathering, another meal, another chance to grow in community and in Christ.
A Journey to Belonging
Our process follows a simple rhythm across the fall and spring. Each step is an invitation into deeper connection, offered without pressure or expectation. At every step, you’ll be invited—not obligated—to participate. There is always a next open door.
Social Gatherings
The social gatherings that bookend the fall and spring—our Welcome Lunches and the evening get-togethers at the parsonage—offer newcomers a warm, easy way to step into the life of UDLC. These moments around a table or in a living room help people meet one another, meet current members, and get a feel for the spirit of our congregation. They’re relaxed and relational by design, creating space to laugh, ask questions, make connections, and begin to sense whether this might feel like home.
Journey Groups
The Journey Groups are the heart of the process. Over five gatherings during Lent, we sit with the Sunday scriptures, reflect on how faith is taking shape in our lives, and listen for God’s presence together. These groups create a gentle, grounded space where newcomers and longtime members can share stories, explore big questions, and deepen connections with one another and with Christ. For many, this becomes the turning point—the place where relationships form, roots grow deeper, and the experience of community becomes real.
Becoming a Member
Those who decide to become members are welcomed into the congregation on the Sunday after Easter at one combined service. It is a joyful moment for the whole community—an expression of the relationships, insights, and spiritual growth formed along the way.