Small Groups

Small groups meet throughout the year for study or socialization. We gather for activities that are responsive to our congregation’s unique make-up, so meeting times and themes vary and new ideas are always welcome. Contact the church office to get more information on making connections with an existing group or to start a new group.

Dance Party

A new way to come together while apart, our weekly dance party is a fun mid-week connection point. All ages are invited to cut loose every Wednesday night from 5:15 to 6 pm. Brought right into your living room via Zoom, we’ll dance together for roughly 15 minutes from 5:30 to 5:45 pm, with a few minutes for a hello and a goodbye on either end. Our dance instructor, Shawn Lent, is a social practice dance artist and educator. She creates dance experiences that heal and literally embody peace. Everyone is welcome! As are people from other churches or no church at all.

Young Adult Dinner

“Brethren young adult” is a flexible age-range. Most of us are in our 30’s, many are families with children. College and career-aged adults join for dinner and conversation once a month on the second Friday at the parsonage. A main dish—often a large vat of vegetarian soup—is usually prepared to pair with side dishes each one brings. Sometimes we mix it up with themed food nights. Other times we’ll distribute short readings ahead of time to discuss together. Everyone is welcomed to join in and invited to receive a monthly e-mail with details about the next meet-up.

*We are still meeting monthly, but by Zoom while physical distancing.

Breakfast Bunch

The Breakfast Bunch is an informal monthly fellowship that grew out of a 2013 Church Retreat. It is scheduled for the third Wednesday of each month, but is flexible when alternate events arise. The bunch always meets at a local restaurant but also mixes up the venue to keep things moving. It isn’t limited to retirees; they just keep it full of spirit!

In addition to enjoying each other’s company, we round up our tabs when paying. Excess funds are collected and donated to a family in need as designated by a local school social worker. The modest donation is a direct payment so that a family can receive it without any vetting and buy some groceries or whatever else might be needed.

Overall it’s just a fun avenue of fellowship among those of us who like to eat! We welcome everyone and urge our regulars to reach out and bring a friend along. Subjects of discussion are unlimited and unrestricted and the bunch really have a great time. So come on out & join us!

Lunch Bunch

Less formal but more frequent than Breakfast Bunch is Lunch Bunch. Folks suggest venues as everyone chats after Sunday worship. Once a restaurant emerges as the clear favorite, everyone is invited to meet back up there! Visitors are especially welcome to join in and get to know people in this casual setting.

Music + Choirs

Celebration and joy in music is an important tradition at Arlington Church of the Brethren. Music programs include a Community Vocal Choir, Handbell Choir, music as we gather for worship and special music by our musicians. Rehearsals for our Community Vocal Choir are on Thursdays at 7:30 pm at Arlington Forest United Methodist and the Handbell Choir practices on Wednesday at 7 pm at ACOB. Everyone is welcome to contribute your musical talent!

ACOB Players

Are you a ham? Do you like to sing, stage direct, create sets, help with costumes, play an instrument, use your artistic talents, write, be a prompter? Or would you just love to try any or all of the above? We have the group for you! ACOB Players bring Bible stories and messages to life through skits and readings. We keep it light with little or no memorization and minimal rehearsals.

All welcome! All ages! All invited! All fun! Our ACOB Players offer wonderfully poignant and often humorous skits for worship and special events. Robyn gathers needed actors and stage hands ahead of each performance to prepare. All are welcome to join the fun!