I joined a UP C small group with my boyfriend Joel during Lent 2011. I had never been in a UPC group before, and we wanted to get involved in something together. We ended up in a group in Ballard with four other couples (three of which had never been in a UPC group before either). As a group, we ranged in age from us (mid-twenties) to the couple who put the group together, who are in their seventies.

It was a blast from the very start, and it has continued to be for the last year and a half. Each couple is very unique in interests and in a pretty different life phase from Joel and me. That’s what makes it so fun!

In addition to meeting bi-weekly, we have parties as often as possible. After anyone travels internationally, we get together to look at all the pictures. When Lisa, who is an artist, has shows, we attend together as often as we can. We don’t need much of an excuse to throw a party, actually—once we watched “The Ten Commandments” for fun (some of us even dressed up for the occasion), and another time got together just to see someone’s new backyard.

After Easter, we served together in a Love Your Neighborhood project for the first time, tackling yard work for a 90+-year-old member of UPC. We removed a six-foot stump from the yard, laughing the whole time, while Alice, the woman we “served,” made us all sandwiches.

This group has been such an incredible blessing to me. Having people who are praying for me, who I can call when I need help moving, or to go on a walk with, or to grab dinner with is so fun. To put it simply, I look forward to seeing them every time.

Joining a UPC small group has made me feel so much more connected to my church community. I have a group of friends from all different ages to eat with in Larson Hall on Sundays and discuss the sermons with during the week. I highly recommend it—especially being in one with diverse ages! That, in many ways, has been the best part for me.

Joel and I just got married on July 7, and they all attended. The day after our honeymoon, we went to our group’s (second) annual Whidbey Games competition, which is our version of the Olympics. We couldn’t miss it! (For the record, I got second place in dart throwing.)