connection GROUPS

Sharing life together around the globe

Registration for the next session of Connection Groups opens March 19 at 9:00 am US Eastern/13:00 UTC.

Groups will meet from the week of March 24 to May 12.

Preview our groups for this session below. Sign up at the bottom of the page to be notified about the next session!

Video Chat Groups

For video chat groups, the times listed are in UTC-time, so convert to your local time using a time zone converter before you choose your group.
No Connection Groups currently. Please check back soon.

Facebook Groups

Facebook Groups meet in a private group to chat throughout the week.

Facebook Group 5

For those in transition

Facebook groups connect via posts and comments in a private Facebook group. There’s no set meeting time.

Leader: Shannon Eaton

Shannon Eaton grew up as a pastor’s kid. She received her Bachelor of Science of Nursing (B.S.N.) degree from Carlow College in Pittsburgh, PA. Shannon worked eight years in a hospital setting, then serving as a missionary for 18 years of which 14 years in Latin America with nursing being her main role. Her last four years abroad to present, she has been serving as a member care caregiver and as a re-entry coach who specializes in helping global workers to experience an effortless re-entry through personalized care and supportive community. Shannon loves coffee, and to hang out with her family.

Type: Facebook
Status: Coming Soon
Openings: 6

Weekly Meeting:
No specific time

Registration Coming Soon

Texting Groups

No Connection Groups currently. Please check back soon.

Video Messaging Groups

No Connection Groups currently. Please check back soon.

Email

No Connection Groups currently. Please check back soon.

Keep Me Up-to-date on Connection Group Happenings

Be the first to know when Connection Group Registration opens.

Notify of Next Connection Group

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.
  • Email Group—Send emails back and forth through the week. This group is good for those with limited Internet or social media, or who enjoy communicating through writing.

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.