Local Outreach Weekend/THRIVE

"Do You See Me?"

Do we see people the way Jesus sees them?
It’s easy to go about our days without truly noticing those outside our own circles — the man living in homelessness under the bridge, the elderly woman struggling at the grocery store, the high school student living with a disability or the young adult Muslim sitting at the park.
That’s why our Valley Outreach theme for 2025–26 is “Do You See Me?” Beginning with THRIVE and Local Outreach Weekend, we’ll turn our focus toward those who are often overlooked, equipping ourselves to see everyone as Jesus does — and to love them more deeply.

Local Outreach Weekend Starts with THRIVE

THRIVE NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE: NOV. 14-15

The THRIVE Conference begins with Friday night worship and continues Saturday with a full day of breakout sessions designed to equip attenders from churches throughout Connecticut to better serve their communities. The conference is free, and registration is kindly requested.

REGISTER FOR THRIVE

LEARN MORE ABOUT THRIVE

This year’s Breakout Sessions include:

• Discipled by Jesus at the Table with the Outcasts
• Discipleship Lab
• How the Church Can Care for Immigrants in Our Community
• “I’m Still Here!” Caring For and Activating Older Adults
• Parenting Against the Current: Taking Back Discipleship in Your Home
• Reaching Out to the Deaf Community
• Research-Based Drivers of Lifelong Faith in Teens and Young Adults
• SHALOM | Biblical Peacemaking
• The Psalms: Do You See Me God?
• Theology of Work
• Trauma-Wise Ministry with Children and Youth
• Welcoming and Including People with Disability in Your Church

 

Local Outreach Weekend Continues Nov. 15-16

When THRIVE concludes on Saturday afternoon, Local Outreach Weekend continues with six gatherings and events for our church family, friends, and visitors. All events are free, and no RSVP is required. Here's the schedule:

SATURDAY, NOV. 15

Worship at 5 p.m.: Our special worship service will feature guest speaker Bryan Wilkerson, Pastor Emeritus of Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA.  
Local Outreach Fair at 6 p.m.: Meet our Local Outreach Partners in the Welcome Area.
Local Outreach Dinner at  6:15 p.m.: Local Outreach is hosting a free dinner with a special presentation by Agape House and Harbor House! These two Local Outreach partners work together to end the cycle of homelessness in the Farmington Valley. Hear stories of compassion, assistance, and transformation.

SUNDAY, NOV. 16

Worship at 9 a.m.: Our special worship service will feature guest speaker Bryan Wilkerson, Pastor Emeritus of Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA.  
Presentation at 9 a.m.: In the Library, our newest Local Outreach partner, Legacy for Women, is giving a special introductory presentation! Legacy for Women is the only Christian residential recovery program for women in Connecticut.
Local Outreach Fair at 10 a.m.: Enjoy refreshments and "go across the street" to meet our Local Outreach Partners in the Fellowship Hall.
Worship at 10:30 a.m.: Our special worship service will feature guest speaker Bryan Wilkerson, Pastor Emeritus of Grace Chapel in Lexington, MA.  
Presentation at 10:30 a.m.: In the Café, Hope Pregnancy Center will share how they are changing the lives of women and families by offering life-affirming and post-abortive support in Unionville and Cheshire.
Local Outreach Lunch at 11:45 a.m.: Local Outreach is hosting a free luncheon with a special presentation by Valley's Foster Care Initiative Team and a Department of Children and Families worker! Learn more about what our volunteers have been doing to BLESS Foster Care children, families and our local DCF workers.