Guide to Fall at Valley

Community Group Experience is a four-week introduction to Group Life at Valley. There are four different sessions to choose from, and you can attend any session in any week. After Community Group Experience, in the first week of October, existing groups will start to meet again and new groups will begin. 

SESSION SCHEDULE

• Saturdays at 6:15 p.m. beginning Sept. 6 (no childcare available)
• Sundays at 9 a.m. beginning Sept. 7
• Sundays at 10:30 a.m. beginning Sept. 7
• Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. beginning Sept. 9

sign up for community group experience

Community Groups are the primary ongoing groups for disciple-making at Valley. They meet regularly to connect relationally, for intentional spiritual growth and development.

New Community Groups form in September and January, meeting weekly either at church or in homes. All Community Groups take a break for the summer.

Why Community Groups?

Belong: God designed us for relationships, and groups give us a place to know others and to be known ourselves. Life is full of highs and lows, and communities create authentic relationships, so you don’t have to walk through these alone.

Become: Wherever you are in your journey of faith, communities will give you space to ask questions and consider your next step. We’ll grow together in what it means to follow Jesus. 

BLESS: The overflow of life-giving relationships is impact on our communities. Together, we will consider the opportunities in our lives to make a difference and impact our world for Christ.

More Equipping Classes will be added later this fall. Most Equipping Classes will begin in October, after Community Group Experience is over.

Real-Life Discipleship

Valley's foundational Equipping Class will be offered at two different times this fall: Monday mornings beginning Oct. 6 and Tuesday nights beginning Oct. 7. Pastor of Adult Discipleship Joe Funderburk will lead both classes. Signs-ups and details coming soon.

Gather Moms

This Equipping Class is for moms of all ages/stages -- from moms of newborns to empty-nesters. We'll meet on the first Monday of the month beginning Oct. 6 from 9:30-11 a.m. Moms of preschoolers will also meet on the third Monday of the month for extra support and equipping. Sign-ups coming soon.

Legacy Builders

This Sunday morning Equipping Class, taught be Pastor Skip Eggemann, is for adults in their "third third" of life. Our first gathering will be at 9 a.m. on Oct. 5.

Annual Celebration Night

THURSDAY, SEPT. 4, AT 7 P.M.

Everyone is invited for Celebrate Recovery's Eighth Anniversary Celebration! Come hear inspiring testimonies and how God is working to change live through this special Care Group. Dinner starts at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall; the program begins at 7 p.m. in The Venue. No RSVP required; no childcare.

Weekly Gatherings

WEDNESDAYS AT 11:30 A.M. AND THURSDAYS AT 7 P.M.

Celebrate Recovery is a biblical, balanced program that helps people overcome hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Celebrate Recovery is based on God's Word. For the Thursday evening session, you're invited to a free pizza dinner and fellowship at 6:15 p.m. before the 7 p.m. meeting. Celebrate Recovery is free; no registration is required. Click here to learn more.

Step Studies

TUESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

Step Studies provides a more focused, personalized forum for taking next steps in your Celebrate Recovery journey. There are separate studies for men and women on Tuesdays at 6:30 beginning September 17. An additional women's Step Study on Saturdays begins September 21 at 9 a.m. Cost is $20. For more information or to sign up, contact Valley Care at 860.673.6826.

Coping With Cancer Details

FIRST THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH, AT 6:30 P.M.

This Care Group is for people fighting cancer as well as family or friends assisting someone dealing with cancer. Get encouragement, support, and tips to help you in your cancer journey. Our next gathering is September 4 in Room 209. The Care Group is free, and no RSVP is required.

DivorceCare Details

13-WEEK SESSION BEGINS MONDAY, sept. 8 at 7 p.m.
PATHWAY CHURCH (3 mill pond lane, simsbury)

Those who have experienced separation and divorce will tell you that it was one of the most painful and stressful experiences they've ever faced. It's a confusing time when you feel isolated and have lots of questions about issues you may never have encountered before. This 13-week Care Group will help. We meet at the hub for Pathway Church (3 Mill Pond Lane in Simsbury)

Cost is $15. Registration is required: 

sign up for divorcecare

GriefShare Details

13-WEEK SESSION BEGINS MONDAY, sept. 8 at 6:30 p.m. IN ROOM 206

GriefShare is a 13-week care group at Valley designed to help people who are mourning the death of a family member or friend. Often, others want to help you cope with your loss but simply don't know how. GriefShare is a group of people dealing with loss that meets weekly to share experiences and tackle tough challenges together.

Cost is $20. Registration is required: 

SIGN UP FOR GRIEFSHARE

Seminar: Surviving the Holidays

SUNDAY, NOV. 9, AT 3 P.M.

If you are mourning the loss of a loved one, come to this special GriefShare seminar for support and advice from others who know similar grief. Cost is $10. Registration coming soon.

Friendship Community Details

Thursdays at 6 p.m. in Fellowship Hall

Friendship Community is a growing Care Group that provides a warm, nurturing, fun enironment specifically for adults with diverse abilities -- and their families! Friendship Community is part of Valley's Disability Community. For more information or to register, email Mary Swank at  .

Hearts With Hope Details

SECOND THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH at 6:30 p.m.

Hearts With Hope is a care group for moms who have lost a child. This group meets on the second Thursday of each month, beginning September 11, in Room 209. Come ready to share, if you're willing, and listen as others share their stories. There's no cost, and no registration is necessary.

Monthly Lunch Details

THIRD THURSDAY OF EACH MONTH AT NOON IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

We're back! Adults in the "third third" of life are invited to join in for fun, food, and fellowship. Donations are appreciated but not required. Our next lunch is Sept. 18 at noon in Fellowship Hall. Please RSVP by contacting Caroll in the Care Ministry office at 860.673.6826 or  

Faithful Hands

SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH, AT 7 A.M.

Faithful Hands is a group of men that serves single mothers, widows, or any other person needing help by providing practical handyman services. The group meets in Room 206 for an hour on the second Saturday of each month to connect with members, build relationships, and review the list of work items. They then spend two hours with their care receivers, assisting with household and/or yard work, building relationships as they serve. Our next gathering is September 14. For more information, contact Valley Care at 860.673.6826.

Helping Hands

TIMES AND LOCATIONS VARY

Helping Hands is a group of women who provide short-term assistance to those who need help with small projects such as cleaning and organizing, grocery shopping, and other errands. For more information, contact Valley Care at 860.673.6826.

Healing Prayer Service Details

MONDAY, OCT. 6, AT 6:30 P.M.

Suffering from a physical or emotional condition? Receive prayer, anointing, and support from Valley Elder and leaders at this special service. We gather together at 6:30 p.m. in Room 209. Click the button below to reserve your spot

sign up for healing praryer service

Sunday is a great time for your child to come to know and follow Jesus! All of our age-appropriate environments, including our Nursery and Family Room, are sanitized and staffed by trained, background-checked volunteers dedicated to providing an amazing interactive experience for your child.

You don't need to register in advance; just head to the Valley Kids Welcome Desk when you arrive at church, and we'll get you signed in.

Saturday at 5 p.m.: Our Family Room is open for your use. 

Sunday at 9 a.m.: Age-appropriate environments for infants-Grade 4.

Sunday at 10:30 a.m.: Age-appropriate environments for infants-Grade 4.

A NEW YEAR OF KIDS CLUBs STARTS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10

Welcome to Valley Kids Clubs, a weekly gathering for boys and girls in Grades 1-4 where friendship, faith, and fun activities abound. School can be pressure-packed and sports teams can be ultra-competitive. Where can kids go to just be KIDS, meet in a safe space, and grow in faith -- all in a friendly environment? Led by Valley staff and trained, background-checked volunteers, we welcome all kids from our neighborhoods, regardless of your church or faith background. Come check it out Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. beginning September 10. Valley Kids Clubs are free this year! Sign-ups coming soon.

Valley Kids is forming a Kids choir! Rehearsals will be Sunday mornings. Contact Eve at for more information.

Parents, declare your intention to raise your child in the ways of the Lord -- and receive a promise of support from the congregation. The Dedication class is September 28. To sign up or get more information, email Michele at  

If your child is in third or fourth grade and is a follower of Jesus, they may be ready to take the next step of baptism! There's a two-session preparatory class this fall. Baptisms will take place during our special Thanksgiving Service on Tuesday night, November 25. For more information, ask any Valley Kids staff member.

Grades 5-6

Sunday morning mclasses for students in Grades 5 and 6 will take place at both the 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. services, beginning September 7. No registration is required.

Grades 7-12

Age-appropriate classes for students in Grades 7-12 will be held Sundays at 10:30 a.m., beginning September 7. No registration is required.

Our popular Wednesday night student programs resume September 10! The gatherings begin at 6:30 p.m. and no registration is required. We can't wait to see your kids grow in faith, make new friends, and have a ton of fun along the way.

Root56: Weekly gathering for students in Grades 5 and 6

RIOT: Weekly gathering for students in Grades 7 and 8

High School Synergy and Growth Groups: Weekly gathering for students in Grades 9-12. Sites alternate between all groups gathering together at church, or with their group leaders offsite.

Grades 5-6: Nerf Night

Students in Grades 5-6 will have a special Root56 Nerf Night from 6-9 p.m. on Sept. 26. See your Root56 leader for details.

Grades 7-12: Fall Retreat

Save the date! Our retreat for students in Grades 7-12 will take place Oct. 3-5. More details and registration coming soon.

Young Adults Worship Nights

Our first two Young Adults Worship Nights are Sept. 5 and Oct. 24. Details will be announced soon.

Local Outreach Weekend / THRIVE

 “Do You See Me?” is the theme for our next Local Outreach Weekend, once again featuring the THRIVE New England Conference. Save the dates (Nov. 14-16) and plan to attend one day or all three! Details for the weekend (and registration for the conference, which is free) will be announced this fall.

Second Saturdays

New this fall! Serving others has never been easier to schedule. “Second Saturdays” will take place on the second Saturday morning of each month, beginning Oct. 11. You can serve with your community group, invite a friend, or serve by yourself. Stay tuned for details and sign-ups.

Summer Mission Trips Celebration

Join us for lunch at noon in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, Sept. 21, to celebrate the amazing work of our summer short-term mission teams! Lunch is free. Click below to let us know you're coming!

sign up for the celebration lunch