Catholic
VME
Connect
Here's how you get started:
Step 1 - save the calendar
This is the least intrusive way to see what's coming up. Click the link to open your calendar app or page. If you want to get notifications for events then go to your preferred calendar's settings page > select the GR Catholic Events calendar > and make sure notifications are turned on, or add them yourself.
Step 2 - join the groupchat
This is where you'll get to see conversations about what's coming up, and see people organizing events themselves. If you want to start something up yourself, this is where you want to be. To join you'll need to have the GroupMe app, which is just a good idea to have anyways.
Step 3 - get the newsletter
The newsletter is sent out monthly and captures the events happening that month (as much as is known publicly). You don't need this one necessarily, but it is a great way to see what's going on all in one place. If you know of an event that should be on the calendar or in the newsletter, send a message to VMECatholic@gmail.com to make sure that it's included in those places.
Steps 4, 5, 6, and onwards
The rest of what you need to find to get connected is found below. If you're looking for a small group or a regularly-scheduled event to get involved in, check out the Communities page which has a button below. Check out the VME Instagram, or the different Facebook groups to see what people have coming up. Hop into other GroupMe chats, and come back here when more are added. And at the bottom of the page you have other ways you can get involved if you want to step up from being a participant and want to help lead some stuff.
Social Media
GroupMe Chats
Those who are wanting to go beyond the community of those you see at church on Sundays, this is your ticket. You can join the Communitas chat for the spontaneous events that people get together for and start making some connections there. Or you can join the Women of Salt & Light chat if you're a lady looking to get involved with other women in West Michigan. Or there's the young adult group through St. Thomas. There's lots going on, and lots for you to get involved with, so jump on in.
Lead
In development....
Opportunities to create your own Connect event to get people to gather together. These events can end up being a wide variety of things, really it's up to you what the event will be like when you put it on. Coffee, a board game night, movie night, a walk in the park, a road trip, whatever you feel like doing. You're in charge of it. If you need some support to get things up and running, VME Catholic is happy to lend a hand.
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TypeIII Adventure Group. Think of it as another layer on top of a Connect event, but these are the more adventurous type of events. If you have heard of "Type 3 fun" then you'll get the idea. This group will put on the type of events that pull you out of your comfort zone and try new things. A weekend hike, a long road trip, a pilgrimage, the types of activities people don't normally do nowadays. This is still in development, but if you would like to help it along and lend a hand, reach out using the contact information at the bottom of the page.
Step up and lead
We are always in need of those who wish to lead. For existing events, or new events being planned, if you are willing and feel called to help in one way or another then fill out the form linked below. Our community grows, and we need help in the spreading of the good news through all forms. Sometimes that is in direct ministry, sometimes that is through doing something fun, and sometimes that is through just being a friend.
Write an article, share an article
If you have ideas to share that you believe would be good for other faithful Christians to hear, then VME Catholic could be the place to host your ideas. One of the intentions of VME Catholic is that this should be a hub for articles written by people who have ideas to share. The foundation is built on the idea of creating community for young Catholics in West Michigan, but it need not be limited to that, and not every article has to be wholly about faith, so if you have a thought to share in the form of an article, send it in for review and it may get shared.