Coffee & Christ: Your Safe Space for Faith & Conversation

• When: Sundays, 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. We maintain a consistent weekly rhythm to help people establish connections and spiritual habits.

• Where: The B&G SPOT, 438 Market Street, Sunbury, PA 17801. (Parking behind the building by Burger King.)

• What to expect on arrival: a warm greeting, name tags if you’d like, light snacks and coffee, and a comfortable seating arrangement that encourages conversation.

• If you’re running late: come anyway. We welcome late arrivals and maintain a relaxed pace, allowing people to join at any point.

• Spiritual formation through relationship: faith grows best in community; we cultivate habits—listening, confession, prayer, service—that shape us over time.

• Honest exploration: we want to ask questions aloud, name doubts, and test interpretations of scripture in a supportive setting.

• Mutual care and accountability: members encourage one another in spiritual practices and life choices, with sensitivity and confidentiality.

• Practical service: faith that is inwardly nourishing should also be outwardly expressed; we plan and participate in local outreach together.

• Cost: Free to attend. Optional offerings help cover the cost of refreshments; no one is turned away due to a lack of funds.

• RSVP: Not required. Drop-ins welcome. For groups, events, or special sessions, an RSVP may be requested.

• Commitment: No membership required—attend as often as you like. Regular attendance helps build deeper relationships, but is not mandated.

• Snacks/food: Light refreshments provided. Dietary concerns: feel free to bring what you need or mention preferences when contacting us.

• Typical meeting (60 minutes):

  • Welcome & brief check-in (5–10 min): one-sentence updates so we know who’s present and how folks are doing.

  • Short scripture or thematic prompt (5–10 min): a 2–3 minute reflection to orient the group.

  • Facilitated conversation (30–40 min): whole-group discussion or breakouts; questions are open-ended to invite personal reflection.

  • Wrap-up & optional prayer or reflection (5–10 min): summary of insights, any action steps, and a consent-based time for prayer.

• Variations: occasional guest speakers, service-planning sessions, or topical series that run several weeks (e.g., grief, parenting, scripture basics).

• Participation norms: you may listen, speak, or pass—there is no obligation to share.

• Open invitation: We welcome people from every background—those in established faith, seekers, doubters, people exploring identity, and those wounded by the church.

• Explicitly affirming posture: We strive to be a spiritual home for the LGBTQ+ community and others who are often marginalized by traditional church settings.

• No prerequisites: You do not need a particular theological stance, history, or level of commitment to join.

• Organic selection: Most themes arise spontaneously from participant needs—people raise topics during meetings or message ahead.

• Suggested series: Periodically, we invite people to propose a short, multi-week series (3–6 weeks) on a focused theme, which the group decides by consensus.

• Resource sharing: We collect recommended books, podcasts, and articles and make a curated list available to participants.

Examples of Prompts and Session Topics

• Single-meeting prompts: “Where have you seen God at work this week?”, “What does Sabbath look like for you?”, “How do you practice forgiveness?”

• Multi-week series ideas: “Grief and Hope,” “Exploring Prayer Practices,” “Faith & Work: Integrating Belief and Vocation.”

• As host and facilitator, I (Pastor Corinne) prepare a short opening thought or scripture and create the structure that holds the conversation, but I do not monopolize it. My responsibilities include:

  • Curating short, accessible prompts or scripture passages.

  • Keeping the conversation safe and on track (timekeeping, redirecting gently).

  • Inviting quieter voices and ensuring everyone who wants to share can.

  • Offering pastoral care afterward when requested.

• I am not the primary teacher; instead, I help the group listen to each other and to what God might be saying through the group’s shared experience.

• Typical meeting (60 minutes):

  • Welcome & brief check-in (5–10 min): one-sentence updates so we know who’s present and how folks are doing.

  • Short scripture or thematic prompt (5–10 min): a 2–3 minute reflection to orient the group.

  • Facilitated conversation (30–40 min): whole-group discussion or breakouts; questions are open-ended to invite personal reflection.

  • Wrap-up & optional prayer or reflection (5–10 min): summary of insights, any action steps, and a consent-based time for prayer.

• Variations: occasional guest speakers, service-planning sessions, or topical series that run several weeks (e.g., grief, parenting, scripture basics).

• Participation norms: you may listen, speak, or pass—there is no obligation to share.

• Physical Accessibility: The venue is wheelchair accessible and features accessible restrooms.

• Children & Youth: Children are welcome. When available, Cookies & Christ offers age-appropriate programming. Parents may also keep children with them—both arrangements are honored.

• Language and learning differences: We aim to communicate clearly and can provide written prompts or follow-up resources on request.

• Pastoral care: Brief, pastoral conversations and prayer are offered after meetings or by appointment.

• Counseling: For more in-depth mental health needs, we can provide referrals to licensed counselors. Longer-term pastoral counseling may be a paid service—this will be discussed transparently upfront.

• Confidential referrals: If someone is in crisis, we will help connect them to emergency services or trained professionals while maintaining confidentiality as appropriate.

• Boundaries: Pastoral staff respect professional boundaries; personal contact outside meetings is available by appointment or mutual consent.

• Immediate crisis: Call emergency services first if someone’s life or safety is in immediate danger. Then notify the facilitator/staff.

• Confidential support: We maintain confidentiality but will involve appropriate authorities or professionals if safety concerns necessitate it (e.g., minors, imminent harm, legal obligations).

• Follow-up: After a crisis, the team will check in with those affected and provide support/referrals.

• Contacting us: For questions or a personal welcome, call or text Betty at (570) 556-9779. For email or form contact, Pastor Corinne will typically reply within 24 hours.

• First-timer option: If you’re nervous, request a quick phone chat or an introduction at the door—no pressure to commit.

• Volunteer & lead: Interested in helping with hospitality, children’s programming, or facilitation? Let us know—volunteer roles are available and welcome.