Right here, beside us. We invite you to step out of the blog comments today and join us on this bench. We know that it can be scary, taking that brave first step into community when you don’t know anyone. You aren’t sure how it will work, if people will notice you, or if you will fit in.
You’ll fit in.
You won’t be the only one who is more than a little nervous to find a home in an online small group with like-hearted women. That’s what our (in)courager groups are all about – connecting with other women who are in your same stage of life, a small group all threaded together by the love of Christ.
There is nothing exclusive or “cliquish” – it’s just us. Your sisters. Flinging wide the door to invite you to join a group that meets you right where you are – a writer, an empty nester, a single mom, a ministry wife… the list of groups goes on.
We have almost 70 small groups that are going to meet on Facebook this fall, led by a team of nearly 140 women who have been the hands and feet of Jesus behind the scenes to prepare for your arrival. Seriously, for months now we’ve all been dusting and sweeping and getting things just so, and covering it all in prayer. We’ve been waiting for you.
You:
– The extrovert who loves community and can’t wait to join and cheer for her sisters
– The shy one who feels like she can be herself a little easier from behind a screen
– The one who builds community for a living and needs a moment to slow down and be filled
– The sister who has been hurt by community and isn’t sure she’s meant to join this one
We saved a seat just for you. And for all of you who fall somewhere in between, or are a mix of all of those women. You are welcome to come on in, kick off your shoes and get comfortable. Will you join us?
Find out more about the (in)courager community groups and how you can join one here! There’s one ready & waiting to welcome you in. We can’t wait to meet you on the bench.
Crystal, Anna & Amy
(in)couragers community coordinators
Jacque Watkins says
Can. Not. Wait! May many find connection in these amazing groups, and may hearts be moved and changed by the power of community in this place! Yes!
Marie P.Krum says
Am I too late? I was unable to connect when I tried to click “HERE” to join. Would so enjoy being part of a small group. They are so essential!
Crystal Stine says
Hi Marie! You’re not too late (and I think the link should be fixed now – if not, just go here: https://www.incourage.me/incourager-groups). Registration is open all week!
Linda says
sounds wonderful. and I think I woul love to be a part of this. No sure I could add anything to a group but woul love to be a part of one. to learn. how do I join one.
Amy Tilson says
Linda, we would love to have you!! Just go here: https://aws.incourage.me/incourager-groups and find your group. the directions are all there.
Stacey Thacker says
I am so excited and proud and praising Jesus right now for each one of you!
He is here, He will bless, this is His heart to love on His girls!
Love you!!!
-stacey
Crystal Stine says
Love you, friend. These groups? They don’t exist without you. *hugs*
Sue says
Dear Crystal, Anna and Amy,
Recently and with great sadness, I felt it best to remove myself from of one your (in)courage community groups. Simply stated I have some serious concerns regarding the group. I am hoping to voice my feelings in an appropriate forum. This comment box is certainly not the way to handle the situation. If you would please provide me with an address where I may address my concerns I would certainly appreciate it. I truly feel compelled to share my experience with you. Thank you so much. Please do not hesitate to contact me at suzcq@yahoo.com. I love the idea of these wonderful community groups and look forward to my continued participation.
Most sincerely,
Sue
Crystal Stine says
Hi Sue –
I’ll send you an email shortly – we’d certainly like to hear about your experience. Thanks!
Amanda says
Woo hoo!!! These groups have been such a blessing in my life, and I am so excited to lead the new working moms’ group for the third session! 🙂 Praying that God would be honored and glorified in these groups this Fall, and that He would bring exactly the women who need to be in each group. Thank you, Anna, Crystal, and Amy, for all of your work in getting this session ready — it’s going to be wonderful! 🙂
Jackie says
“The shy one who feels like she can be herself a little easier from behind a screen”
Yes! Yes! This is so me. Thank you!
Libby says
Yay! So excited to get started! 70 groups!!
Missy says
These groups are the Awesome Sauce! Life saving, life enhancing, and makes life so much more doable – awesome sauce! Thank you for providing these benches, (in)courage. Thank you!
A says
Anyway to do this outside Facebook??? Not a Facebook user but would love to join a group somehow.
Crystal Stine says
With the exception of one group that meets outside Facebook for privacy reasons, all of our groups meet in closed Facebook groups this session. Thanks!
Jen Penner says
How do I “un-link” from a group??? Sorry I am new to all this and not very savy! 🙂
Crystal Stine says
Hi Jen! Just email incouragers@gmail.com with the name of the group you need us to remove you from & we’ll take care of it 🙂
Amanda says
Hi… I don’t see where you can click “Add Your Link” on the groups page. Am I missing something? Thanks!
Amanda says
You’ll need to choose a specific group from the groups page, and at the bottom there is a blue “Add Your Link” button. Does that help?
Amanda says
I found it… thanks! For some reason the full page wasn’t displaying when I was viewing it at work. Probably something with my work firewall blocking it.
Bobbie says
Like one who commented earlier, I no longer am a member of Facebook, but would like to join a group. Is this possible?
Anna says
Hi Bobbie. With the exception of one group that meets outside Facebook for privacy reasons, all of our groups meet in closed Facebook groups this session. Thanks!
Hope says
Tamara and I have dusted all the benches off in our Empty Nests-Full Lives corner and are waiting to welcome you. We are nervous and excited to begin this journey of growth and joy!
Patricia says
Just a quick question – I have been following what you gals do (being on the (in)courage mailing list) and particularly am interested in joining one of your groups….however, I am living down under (Sydney, Australia) – does this (in)courager groups event applies to someone outside of the US? PS: I don’t really use Facebook. Whether or not this applies to me, but I just wanted to say that I enjoy reading what you gals are doing in that part of the world and your articles and sharings are most encouraging and heart warming and I often wish we could have something similar in Australia! God Bless all of you (in)Couragers!
Anna says
Absolutely, Patricia! We have (in)couragers all around the world. All groups do meet on Facebook, so if you can get there I know you’d be so welcome =)
Lizzy says
Hi Patricia,
I participate in a couple of groups and am a fellow Aussie. While most of the ladies are from the US there are others involved from around the globe too. The internet it is great at bringing us all together no matter how far apart we are 🙂
Marie P.Krum says
This TECHNO DUMMY is frustratingly attempting to connect by clicking “HERE” with absolutely NO success. Small groups are sooo essential for building self esteem and broadening faith. I would very much like to be part of one. Please direct me to the proper place and sign me up! Many thanks!
Amanda says
Hi Marie! Maybe try clicking this link: https://aws.incourage.me/incourager-groups. Then scroll through the group pages and choose one. Once you’ve found the right fit for you, click the blue “Add Your Link” button and enter your name and email address.
Terry says
I would like to join one. I am almost 56, walking with the Lord since 30. I have 5 children, which I homeschooled for 17 years. I have been broken and there are a lot of ‘ruins’ that I stand in. BUT, my God is a rebuilder and repairer of broken places. I am a prayer warrior, intercessor, sister that can’t fix anyone but can point you to the ONE that can heal.
Anna says
Terry, I sure hope you join a group. Sounds like you have a lot of wisdom & experience to share =)
Carol says
I just signed up & looking forward to my group. Love all you ladies. You have blessed me so much these past 2 years through the challenges in my life. Because of you. I am going through them. Thank you
Holley Gerth says
So excited for you, sisters! Love and prayers as this new session begins. 🙂
Crystal Stine says
Thanks Holley! We cherish those prayers 🙂
Caroline says
SO excited and eagerly anticipating the blessings God has in store for us through these groups! I am in a new and precarious season in my life, and need all the sister support He wants to provide 🙂
Judy Rossbacher says
I would like to join a group for empty nesters whose children are grown and not married. The women in the group yearn to have grand children and do not. The women want to use the gifting God has given them in the best way possible. I do not understand how to find a group like this and how to sign up once I find it. Can you help me?
Anna says
Hi Judy! Try this link: https://aws.incourage.me/incourager-groups#Empty Nesters
Anna says
oops! pressed submit too early. So click that link, then click ‘Empty Nesters’. Take a look at the groups offered in that category, and pick the one that sounds best to you! To register for that one, follow these steps:
1. Click “add your link”
2. Enter the URL for your blog, Twitter, or Facebook page if you’d like (optional)
3. Enter your first & last name (required)
4. Enter your email address (required)
You’ll receive a “welcome” email from your group leader(s) within a week with a Facebook link to your new small group!
Donya says
I would love to join a group for ministry leaders, but I’m a 30+ single women, not a pastor’s wife. I thought about the single gals groups, but I’m not “waiting” on my man to show and I’m perfectly happy in my singleness, so neither of those groups seem to apply either. Is there a group that might welcome someone like me even though the description doesn’t seem to match?
Anna says
Hi Donya,
Sure! One of the single ladies groups is focusing on finding joy in Christ every day (that one is (in)joy). There’s also a group for women in ministry, called In This Season, that will be a safe place to share that which you may not be able to otherwise. One of the two groups for Professional Women may also be a good fit, or if writing is a big part of your ministry that you enjoy, perhaps one of the writing groups would be good for you!
I do hope you’ll click thru and read some descriptions, and land in a group that is just right for you!
Wendy J @ rockinwhatyagot.com says
SOOOOO Exciting! Love these groups. Been looking forward to this for weeks now. God is good! 🙂
Gaye says
Thank you. I just joined this site two days ago and probably would not have joined a group, were it not for this encouraging post.
Anna says
So, so glad you found us, Gaye!
Paula McLane Jennings says
I loved our last session. I was the first one to sign on in our group this time. When will we be officially getting started?
Anna says
Way to go! You’ll be getting a welcome letter from your leader any minute now, and the official tart date is next Monday. Enjoy!! =)
Jude says
I tried to link up on the new small group
and I don’t know how to load a picture…I’m frustrated…could someone walk me through it…I want to do it under professional women….thanks…Jude
Amanda says
Go to the group page, and near the bottom click on the blue “Add Your Link” button. Add your name, email, and website (if you have a blog). Then the group leader will email you a link to join the Facebook group.
Anonymous says
Last year I signed up for two groups and tried to post and participate every few days. This spring I left both groups. In one I felt like every comment I made was dismissed and I was being labeled as a bad Christian for expressing myself. In the other group, there were some members who made it clear that I was unwelcome.
So when I hear you advertising how wonderful and accepting your groups are, it really makes me wonder. Because I joined, I tried, and ultimately it left me feeling very depressed and feeling like even an online community was impossible for me.
Crystal says
I’m so sorry you had that experience. If you’d like to share more specifically about your experience, you’re welcome to email us at incouragers@gmail.com.
Bonnie Cohen says
Would like to know more about what I think I would like to join. Was unable to access the “join” site. Please advise. Thanks!
Crystal says
Hi Bonnie!
You can view all the groups here: https://www.incourage.me/incourager-groups
Tammy says
I also have tried the link and get an error message “page not found, error 404. I definitely like to join the group “living with a chronic disease” and possibly another one that might apply to where I am at in my walk. Frustrated that I can’t seem to get it to work.
anna {girlwithblog.com} says
Hi Tammy! Sorry for the frustration =( This is an older post, and the (in)courage website has since gotten a makeover and some pages have new links. The new, correct link to access the (in)couragers groups is: https://aws.incourage.me/community. Registration for the upcoming session opens on January 27th, so keep an eye out for a new post coming soon with more details on the (in)couragers groups.
Thank you for grace!
Kathy Andrews says
Hey I am so glad I found y’all, I have been wanting to make a friend or two and didn’t know where to go. This sounds like it would be just what I am looking for. I hope I did it right. I did the link thing and saw my picture come up on the screen. I am so excited!
Kathy
Crystal says
We’re so excited you’re joining us Kathy!
Stephanie says
Oops – I’ve accidentally added myself to the ‘Married w/o Children’ group twice! The first time I tried I got an error message, so I tried again, but now I see that I’m on there twice. Can you please remove one of me and leave one there? Thanks!
Crystal says
No problem at all Stephanie 🙂 We’ll take care of it!
Rachel says
Hi! I joined a group for working moms, but I never received an email and I am not sure where to go from here… It was on the day that this was posted and I saw my photo pop up in the group, but maybe I did something wrong as I have no info on where to go on Facebook? Thanks so much!
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