Our next session of Connection Groups is coming soon!
Registration opens Tuesday, September 8. The next session will run for eight weeks from September 14-November 6. Sign up below to be notified about the upcoming session!
Video Chat Groups
For video chat groups, the meeting times listed are in UTC so convert to your local time using a time zone converter before you choose your group.
Zoom Group 2
For anyone serving cross-culturally
Video chat groups connect once a week at a set time via a platform like Zoom, with discussion guided by the facilitator. Times are listed in UTC. Use https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/meeting.html for your time zone.
Leader: Erin Downs
Called to missions in 1996, Erin Downs pictured a future of teaching English in rural China. However, God opened her eyes to the unreached people on U.S. college campuses. Together with her husband, Erin has now served international students for 25 years with International Students, Inc., first at California State University Northridge and now at Washington State University. Desiring lifelong impact in student relationships, Erin and her husband have traveled to India, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Erin teaches French and art at a local private high school and enjoys discipling students of any age. Erin has 3 children; the oldest is in college and the youngest in middle school.
Type: Video Chat
Status: Coming Soon
Openings: 5
Weekly Meeting:
Wednesday 1:00 PM UTC
Registration Coming Soon
Facebook Groups
Facebook Groups meet in a private group to chat throughout the week.
Texting Groups
Texting Groups use WhatsApp or Signal to chat throughout the week.
Video Messaging Groups
Video Messaging Groups use Marco Polo to chat throughout the week.
Keep Me Up-to-date on Connection Group Happenings
Be the first to know when Connection Group Registration opens.
Interested in Leading A Group?
FAQs
- A small group of women serving in different places across the world.
- An opportunity to share and encourage one another.
- An experience led by a group facilitator.
- After updating each other on your week, your facilitator will lead a discussion based on weekly themes.
- Velvet Ashes offers two sessions of Connection Groups each, one starting in March and one in September.
- Registration is announced at Velvet Ashes and takes place on a first-come-first-serve basis.
There are different options for Connection Groups:
- Video Chat Groups—Groups meet for a weekly video conference call at a designated time each week. Discussions are led by the group facilitator.
- Facebook Groups—Groups share throughout the week in a private Facebook group. No designated time. Questions and prompts are facilitated by the group facilitator throughout the week.
- Texting Groups—Groups will meet via a messaging app (like Signal or WhatsApp) throughout the week (no designated time).
- Video Messaging Groups—Interact through an app like Marco Polo with short video messages throughout the week.
Plus, we’ve got groups especially for singles, moms on the field, those who have returned to their passport country, as well as groups for anyone on the field. You don’t have to walk this overseas journey alone!
We know that not everyone has Facebook or internet strong enough for a video call. That’s why there are all different kinds of groups and platforms available! Carefully think through your schedule and time commitment as you choose your group so that you can fully participate each week.
We do ask that you choose only one group so that as many women as possible can experience community through Connection Groups.
All of our facilitators have been selected and referenced as trustworthy women who have a heart to encourage others. Don’t feel like you have to have a facilitator that is in your same stage of life. Part of the joy of Velvet Ashes is that we are a beautiful mix of all stages of life, and we have so much to offer each other.
That being said, if you really want to connect with another mom, another single woman, or someone also in re-entry, feel free to jump in her group if it works for you.