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    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news article

    From the Advocate: Sophia sisters break bread at Panera as new faith community

    March 1, 2016 / By Pastor Nancy O’Connor Raca

    Click below to read the full Advocate online.As I write this, the weather outside is cold and snowy, but inside a suburban Panera Bread restaurant, several Rochester-area women are warm and welcome as they gather for coffee, hugs, and conversation on a Thursday evening. Welcome to Sophia Community, a new faith community that empowers women through the Gospel by creating a space for them to explore where God is working in their lives, discover their worth as children of God, and share the love of Christ.

    As the gathering pastor for Sophia Community, I started this non-traditional church as a place for women to explore their spirituality in a casual yet Christian atmosphere. I found that I knew so many women – especially mid-life, suburban moms, wives, and career-women – who were looking for authentic community where they could wrestle with everyday problems of faith and life. Women face all kinds of challenges – parenting, marriage troubles, depression, job loss, caring for aging elders, and more – yet there’s a societal pressure to put on a brave face and act like everything’s just fine. I felt God calling me to create a space where women could share their struggles and know that they are accepted and loved, no matter what.

    Now, every Thursday night, “Sophia sisters” meet at Panera, break bread together, discuss a Scripture passage, and pray for each other and the world.

    “At first I was worried that I wouldn’t feel comfortable in a group of women I didn’t know,” said Ann, a member of Sophia Community since its inception. “But everyone is so friendly and welcoming at Sophia. I quickly found that I was among friends.”

    Most of the women at Sophia Community grew up in church but stopped attending when they became busy with family or didn’t find what they were looking for in a traditional setting. I try to help people read the Bible with fresh eyes and see how it relates to their lives today. Grace and love are the core of God’s message – not judgement or intolerance.

    In addition to gathering on Thursday nights, Sophia sisters can delve deeper into Scripture through Bible journaling meetings on Mondays and can participate in frequent service projects throughout Rochester. Most recently, the group took on the renovation of a playroom at the local YWCA, which provides temporary housing for women and children in transition. As a result, a once drab and lonely space became a colorful, friendly space for kids to call their own. Projects like this one offer an opportunity for women to get their own children and spouses involved in Christian service.

    What’s next for Sophia Community? I hope to start additional small groups that will reach more women in need of a spiritual home. Someday, I’d love to have a house where groups gather regularly for food, fun, and Christian fellowship. The most important thing right now, though, is to go where people already are, and show that church can happen anywhere, in a lot of different ways.

    Watch a video about Sophia Community: https://vimeo.com/151045587.

    Pastor Nancy O’Connor Raca is appointed to the Covenant UMC and is the pastor/planter of Sophia Community.

    TAGGED / Advocate / New Faith Communities


    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."