This Lititz Care Group came out of the Wenger Care Group, which we affectionately used to refer to as “CrossWay North”, due it its size.  Our group was initially led by Dan & Julie Garner – who have since moved to Lancaster City. They left a wonderful example of caring for our souls, an area in which I hope to grow! We are a wonderful mix of ages and experiences. The group consists of Richard and Lois Sensenig (at whose home we meet), Tom & Lara Eckman, David & Heather Hegedus, Jeff & Connie Dagen, Vernon Martin, and is lead by John & Christine Oliver.

We meet for corporate meeting on the first Wednesday of each month. The Men then meet on the second Wednesday and the Women on the third.  The variety of our group ranges from a single man and couples, to parents of pre-school kids all the way up to parents with grandchildren. Our group is characterized by mutual edification, as we bear one another’s burdens with counsel and comfort that flows out of our collective backgrounds. The flavor of our talk can be somewhat theological, but we try to keep things close to our day-to-day lives. Our discussions are often quite lively, especially when Richard refuses to admit that he’s wrong about the proper order of the C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia books. But mercy is abundant…. Food is also an important part of our meetings; not sure how well the discussions would go without it!

Every member in our group is marked by consistent encouragement. They are all quick to offer a word from their own lives that may be helpful to others. There is a pleasant frankness to our sharing that always refreshes me.  Everyone seems to be willing to share their struggles and questions with the group and receive counsel in return. One couple that sticks out in my mind is Tom and Lara Eckman. Always faithful to attend, I can also always count on one or both of them sharing from their heart.  They are true servants, who seem always to be busy helping someone, even as they raise their beautiful children in the ways of the Lord. When they share there is never any sense of guile or stuffiness, just sincerity and genuineness. They are a huge asset to our group.