Center DC Small Groups

A micro-community for BIG spiritual growth

What are Small Groups?

How have you been staying connected?

CenterDC is excited to launch “Small Groups” - an informal initiative that began out of the Neighborhood Halaqas DC community in 2014, housed under our community and rolled out annually since 2017. The goal is to help provide DC area Muslims the opportunity to grow in faith and community through consistent small group accountability and a spiritual support network for a set period of time. .

We will organize several groups of 8-12 people who commit to meet every week for a fixed number of weeks to explore shared interests and activities that facilitate safe space for personal spiritual growth. This round is a 12-week commitment - spanning from December right up until Ramadān.

This round, we’re doing things a bit different - Each group will have 1 "group lead" who helps with housekeeping + logistics AND week-to-week facilitation. Groups will be provided with a guide featuring weekly themes, content options and activities to pick from. For those of you looking to grow in this area, we have a short training video to help you support your group! We will also coordinate a virtual “Group” space on our Church Center App for you all to connect and stay in touch during the week, iA.

All participants will come together for an online orientation event that will help set norms and finalize the small groups, and come together again at the end for a large in-person celebration.

THEME: A Journey to Allāhﷻ: Ramadān Edition

UPCOMING ROUND: December 2025 - February 2026

KICK-OFF EVENT: Friday 11/14/25 @ 6:30-8:00pm (hybrid option available)

Step 1: Sign up

Do you want to grow spiritually? Looking to connect to others who share that goal? Can you commit to meeting with a small group of peers for a fixed number of weeks? If the answer is ‘yes,’ RSVP to join us for the Kick-Off Event.

Step 2: COME TO THE KICK-OFF

Join us for the Kick-Off Event - there, you’ll be able to shop the available small groups for one that fits your vibe and schedule - or form a new one! Not able to join us in-person? No fear? RSVP anyway and select ‘send me the link’ and you’ll get first dibs at joining a group when they launch inshaAllah. Snag your spot before they fill up!

At the kick-off event, you’ll get oriented to the process, meet your peer group, and start planning logistics.

Step 3: Make the commitment

Once you’ve met your group and settled down, the next is all up to you. Center DC will share a weekly facilitation guide to walk your group through a series of spiritual reflections. Your group will set your own group norms. We’ll provide some suggested content and discussion questions, a virtual “Group” space on our Church Center App for you all to chat between sessions, and facilitation resources to help it go as smooth as possible. Like most things, you get out what you put in. Here’s to personal growth and peer support this year!

Interested in Participating?

Take a moment and RSVP to join the kick off event on Fri 11/14/25

GOT QUESTIONS?

Q1

Q: Do I have to attend all of the weeks? Is it cool to “drop in” when I can?

A: Center DC offers a TON of drop-in opportunities throughout the week. This particular experience requires that you make a commitment to support and grow with each other for just a few weeks. You can literally do anything for 8-13 weeks! If something comes up and you know that you’ll have to miss a session, communicate that with your group.

This go-round, we are insisting that drop-ins NOT happen. You can’t group surf or hop around after the first week - everyone will roughly be covering the same content and though we really want you to vibe with your group, commitment is the secret ingredient to crafting a meaningful small groups experience!

Q2

Q: I found out about this amazing thing after the Kick-Off Event. What should I do?

A: Don’t panic! As far as the deadline goes, we’ll do our best to match folks up where we can, with a hard line of having people in within the first 2 weeks - just send an email to info@centerdc.org sharing your interest. After then, unfortunately, groups will not be accepting new members. It’s important for groups to stay at a manageable size to keep the integrity of the program in tact, so unfortunately, we can’t just ‘add’ you to a group if there’s no space or if you don’t match the demographic of a group that has space. If you didn’t end up in a group for whatever reason, don’t worry! We’ll be running another session about a month after this round ends, iA…. and there is PLENTY for you to drop in to during the week. Just check out our schedule: www.centerdc.org/events

Q3

Q: Do I HAVE to attend the kick-off?

A: No, but we HIGHLY recommend it. The event will be our chance to orient you all to how Small Groups will work and how the roles and content roll out will work. It’ll also give you a chance to select a group that fits your vibe/schedule…. groups and spaces are limited by design, so getting first dibs is key!

Q4

Q: How does one become a Small Group Lead? This is something I’m interested in doing….

A: Hurray! Excited to hear you’re already thinking about stepping up to the plate. Small Group Leads are expected to have participated in at least ONE round of Center DC Small Groups before becoming a group lead - this helps us cull the experience for others and makes sure our leads are starting from a place of familiarity. Interested folks will attend a lead training with our team and get oriented and supported along the way. Interested in signing up to lead this round or a future round? Just shoot us an email!