--- title: "Small Groups: Big Connections" description: "Small Groups: Big Connections" image: https://blog.unitedchurchhomes.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/AdobeStock_188768682-1.jpeg --- [![Center for Abundant Aging](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/wp-content/uploads/uch-logo-200x84.png "Center for Abundant Aging")](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center) [Back to United Church Homes](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. - [Educational Opportunities](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/) - [Overview](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/) - [Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/clinical-pastoral-education-cpe/) - [Quellhorst Endowment Fund](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/quellhorst-scholars/) - [High School Community Service Opportunities](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/high-school-community-service-opportunities/) - [Internships-Undergraduate and Graduate](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/internships-undergraduate-and-graduate/) - [Research Opportunities](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/research-opportunities/) - Engagement with Congregations - [Resources for Worship and Reflection](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/resources-for-worship-and-reflection/) - [Age-Friendly Congregations](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/age-friendly-congregations/) - [Church Resources](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/church-resources/) - [About the Center](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/about-the-center/) - [Overview](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/about-the-center/) - [Meet Rev. Beth Long-Higgins](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/meet-rev-beth-long-higgins/) - [Advisory Committee](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/advisory-committee/) - [Press Releases](https://www.abundantaging.org/category/press-releases/) - [Contact the Center](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/contact/) # Small Groups: Big Connections By [Rev. Rebecca S. King](https://blog.unitedchurchhomes.org/author/rev-rebecca-s-king)  •  May 16, 2019 ![](https://blog.unitedchurchhomes.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/AdobeStock_188768682-1.jpeg) ##### Connecting Through Small Groups: A Story Last week, at the continuing care retirement community where I serve, the speaker for our senior class group that day called two minutes before class was to start and canceled. With a room full of residents waiting on the speaker, I told them she was unable to come. Rather than disbanding the group on that beautiful spring day, I suggested we talk about what the residents did as children in the spring. For the next forty, magical minutes, we talked about their spring activities as well as a variety of other topics. We learned things about each other in those minutes that we never knew. The group laughed together. Residents talked about how similar life was for some and how different life had been for others. We talked about joyful times  and the struggles we had along the way. For those who did not experience the Depression or WW II firsthand, we received a history lesson better than any found in books. The group listened respectfully to others when it was their turn to talk. They felt heard. We left feeling connected.  No one felt alone. They parted as friends and talked about how wonderful the time together had been. ##### Connection Is Crucial for Older Adults This story highlights how social interaction through small groups is beneficial to older adults. The [National Institute on Aging (NIA)](https://www.nia.nih.gov/) notes that, “several [research studies](http://www.nia.nih.goc/about/living-long-well-21st-century-strategic-directions-research-aging/research-suggests-positive) have shown a strong correlation between social interaction and health and well-being among older adults." Being socially active as older adults helps the body, mind and soul in many ways. According to the St. Joseph Health website, [being social as an older adult](http://www.stjoesonoma.org/patients-visitors/for-patients/health-resource-center/health-topics/seniors-health/older-adults-and-the-importance-of-social-intera/) may help to reduce the “risk for cardiovascular problems, some cancers, osteoporosis, and rheumatoid arthritis; potentially reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease; lower blood pressure; reduced risk for mental health issues such as depression.” ##### Older Adults and the Effects of Isolation The [NIA article](http://www.nia.nih.goc/about/living-long-well-21st-century-strategic-directions-research-aging/research-suggests-positive) also discussed how detrimental isolation may be for older adults: “Social isolation constitutes a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality, especially in older adults.” These older adults may not be as active physically and may feel more depressed without someone to visit. ##### Older Adults -- Get Connected! In my work with older adults, I have discovered that in small groups, members look out for each other. When someone is not present, the group members ask about them. They check in on each other, especially if they have not seen someone in a few days. They prayer for each other. Residents celebrate joys together and grieve together in times of sorrow. I have witnessed residents who had been admitted from their home where they were isolated and not caring well for themselves become healthier in the presence of community. Small groups, I believe, are a vital part of living an abundant life for older adults. Small groups allow older adults to connect outside of self and to be a part of something bigger. Connection is key! How do you stay connected? What small groups are you participating in? What small group opportunities do we provide for the older adults in our churches? How do we assist older adults in our churches/communities to get connected?               - - - - [RETURN TO BLOG](https://blog.unitedchurchhomes.org/) ## About the Author ### Rev. Rebecca S. King Having served as pastor at Community UCC in Fort Seneca, Ohio for three and a half years, Rev. Becky King currently serves as the chaplain at Fairhaven Community in Upper Sandusky, Ohio and as the dean of chaplains at United Church Homes. [View all articles by Rev. Rebecca S. King](https://blog.unitedchurchhomes.org/author/rev-rebecca-s-king) [![Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/wp-content/uploads/UCH_RFPCAA_Horiz_4c-1-1.png "Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging")](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/the-center-for-abundant-aging/) #### Educational Opportunities - [Overview](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/) - [Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/clinical-pastoral-education-cpe/) - [Quellhorst Endowment Fund](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/quellhorst-scholars/) - [High School Community Service Opportunities](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/high-school-community-service-opportunities/) - [Internship-Undergraduate and Graduate](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/internships-undergraduate-and-graduate/) - [Research Opportunities](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/educational-opportunities/research-opportunities/) #### Engagement with Congregations - [Resources for Worship and Reflection](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/resources-for-worship-and-reflection/) - [Age-Friendly Congregations](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/age-friendly-congregations/) - [Church Resources](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/church-resources/) #### About the Center - [Overview](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/about-the-center/) - [Meet Rev. Beth Long-Higgins](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/meet-rev-beth-long-higgins/) - [Advisory Committee](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/parker-center/advisory-committee/) - [Press Releases](https://www.abundantaging.org/category/press-releases/) Standards of Conduct [United Church Homes, Inc. (UCH) complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate, exclude or treat people different because of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, disability, genetic information or ancestry. Spanish: Chinese: German: Arabic: Pennsylvanian Dutch: Russian: French: Vietnamese: Korean: Italian: Japanese: Dutch: Ukrainian: Romanian: Albanian: Korean: Bengali: Polish: Tagalong.](https://www.unitedchurchhomes.org/wp-content/themes/uch-theme/assets/pdf/UCH-Discrimination-Policy.pdf) © 2026 United Church Homes, Inc. All Rights Reserved.