Adult Ministry

When & Where: Tue  •  July 10-31  •  6:30-8 pm  •  Mays Hall
Led by: JB Bryant
Childcare:

This conversation based class opens the floor for discussion around some of the hardest questions facing faith and religion.

How can we view the creation stories of Genesis in light of all that science has proven to us?
Why do bad things happen to good people?
How are we to understand horrific events and natural disasters, could these really be a part of God's plan?
Would it be possible to outrun God's call and plan for us, and how far does our free will go?

Through respectful, open dialogue, we will look at these and other issues in light of scripture, reason, tradition, and experience and discover the many different perspectives on these subjects.
 

Register by 10 am, July 10

When & Where: Wed  •  Ongoing  •  1:00 - 2:30 pm  •  Room 208
Led by: Rev. Mary Howard
Childcare: No

Using the lectio divina method for small groups, we will pray various scriptures and even some spiritual classics.  Don’t worry if you don’t know what lectio divina means.  You will be guided.  Instead of focusing on facts and background information, we will be seeking to hear God speaking to us through the scriptures.  A long term commitment is not required.  You may participate as your schedule permits.

Registration not Required 

When & Where: Tue  •  Sept 4 - Sept 25, 2018  •  7:00 - 8:00 pm  •  Online
Led by: Dr. Dan L. Flanagan
Childcare: No

This is an online course, limited to 20 participants. You can take this course anywhere as long as you have a laptop or tablet with a video camera.

We are fortunate to have the four gospels in our canon.  Each gospel has a different perspective on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and each has a different purpose for writing.  We will look at the differences and similarities of the four gospels, identify their theological perspective, ask how each applies to our contemporary understanding of Christ, as well as our personal theology.

No cost. The only requirement is an NRSV Bible.

REGISTER ONLINE June 28 - Sept 4, 2018

When & Where: Wed  •  Sept 5 - Oct 10, 2018  •  7:30 - 9:00 pm  •  Ogden Fellowship Hall
Led by: Dr. Hugo Magallanes
Childcare: No

Does having faith mean abandoning reason?  It’s easy to get that impression.  Still, it seems reasonable that a supremely intelligent God would want yo to use your God-given intellect on your spiritual journey as much as in any other aspect of your life.  Faith may not stand on rational thinking alone, but a solid faith should walk hand in hand with intellectual integrity.

Does it really matter what I believe?  What is the relationship between faith and knowledge?  Why are there so many religions?  Do all paths lead to the same God? 

Consider questions, objections, and concerns that you can’t help but raise as you think your way clearly and honestly to answers that satisfy you because they’re your answers – conclusions you’ve arrived at personally without manipulation, coercion, or game-playing.

Cost: $6 for A Search for What Makes Sense

REGISTER ONLINE June 28 - Oct 10, 2018

When & Where: Tue  •  Sept 11 - Oct 30, 2018  •  11:30 am - 1:00 pm  •  Room 205
Led by: Marsha May and Debbie O'Reilly
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by emailing childcare@fumcr.com at least one week before the group meeting.

This is a women’s study based on The Armor of God by Priscilla Shirer.  A devoted, devilish enemy seeks to wreak havoc on everything that matters: your heart, mind, marriage, children, relationships, resilience, dreams and destiny. His battle plan depends on catching you unaware. If you are tired of being pushed around and caught with your guard down, this study is for you.  The Armor of God, is more than a biblical description of the believer’s inventory, it is an action plan for putting on the armor and developing a personalized strategy for success.

Cost: $15 for participant guide

REGISTER ONLINE June 28 - Oct 30, 2018

When & Where: Sun  •  Sept 16 - 30, 2018  •  11 am - 12 noon  •  Room 203
Led by: Ed Frantz
Childcare: Nursery: 0-23 mos. Sunday school: 2 yrs - kinder at 8:45, 2 yrs - 12th grade at 9:45, 2 yrs - 1st grade at 11.

God is love.  God is spirit.  For many Christians sovereignty overshadows love as God’s essential nature: “Everything happens for a reason...though I can’t imagine why or how a loving God would cause or allow such.”  And distance better describes God’s whereabouts than does presence: “I believe in God...means I simply believe he exists, out there or up in heaven.”  Let’s look at three different Christian understandings of the claims that God is love, and spirit...each offering fruitful insights with liberating and empowering implications.

No cost

REGISTER ONLINE June 28 - Sept 11, 2018

When & Where: Wed  •  Sept 12 - Nov 14 2018  •  9:30 - 11;45 am  •  Room 230 A-B
Led by: Lisa Hancock
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by emailing childcare@fumcr.com at least one week before the group meeting.

Learn to utilize the Enneagram, an ancient tool from centuries of Judeo-Christian faith and scholarship, to cultivate self-awareness, growth and personal transformation. Insights from this course can answer life-long questions about our behavior and unconscious motivations. Newly learned self-knowledge assists in our walks with God, enables our true and best self to emerge, and can transform the way we relate to others.

Fee: $90 includes participant workbook

REGISTER ONLINE June 28 - Sept 12

When & Where: Thur  •  Sept 13 - Nov 1, 2018  •  9:30 - 11;45 am  •  BFLC-Youth Worship
Led by: Lisa Hancock
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by emailing childcare@fumcr.com at least one week before the group meeting.

This is an advanced course for those who have gone through the “Enneagram Journey” and are looking for a deeper dive and to explore the spiritual dimensions of the Enneagram.  Enneagram Concentrates is designed with the person in mind who is ready and able to do excavation and deeper work that takes them beyond knowing their Enneagram number.  This course provides the space and tools for self-reflection and personal assessment.  Participants need to have completed the Enneagram Journey course work.

Fee: $90 includes participant workbook

REGISTER ONLINE June 28 - Nov 1, 2018

When & Where: Thur  •  Sept 20 - Nov 29, 2018  •  7:00 - 8:30 pm  •  Room 2A
Led by: Kirk Lipscomb
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by emailing childcare@fumcr.com at least one week before the group meeting.

A 10-week study that challenges ideas about who God is and what God wants by looking at the actual teachings of Jesus and giving a weekly soul-training challenge. Based on the book "The Good and Beautiful" by James Bryan Smith.

Register July 13 - Sept 20, 2018

When & Where: Sun  •  Sept 23 - Nov 18, 2018  •  5:00 - 6:30 pm  •  Room 203
Led by: Shannon Smith
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by emailing childcare@fumcr.com at least one week before the group meeting.

In debt?  Need a plan for your money?  Financial Peace University is here to help, with practical, proven advice for dealing with the financial part of your life and the relationships it involves.

Cost: $109

REGISTER ONLINE June 28 - Sept 23, 2018

When & Where: Tue  •  Oct 2 - Oct 16, 2018  •  7:00 - 8:30 pm  •  Room 225
Led by: JB Bryant
Childcare: No

The first session will explore the scriptural understanding of prayer form the Jews through the early Christian movements.  The second will look at meditation with a deeper dive into “The Cloud of Unknowing.”  The last session will look at contemplative prayer, binding us to Christ as one, and to each other.

The Cloud of Unknowing will be used a text, but not required.

REGISTER ONLINE June 28 - Oct 2, 2018

When & Where: Sun  •  Oct 21 - Nov 11, 2018  •  11:00 am - 12:00 pm  •  Room 204
Led by: Rev. Fred Trevino
Childcare: Nursery: 0-23 mos. Sunday school: 2 yrs - kinder at 8:45, 2 yrs - 12th grade at 9:45, 2 yrs - 1st grade at 11.

Explore the basics of United Methodist belief and practice.  Gain an understanding of Wesleyan heritage, increase your knowledge and understanding of United Methodist theology and learn more about the sacraments of baptism and communion.  Newcomers to life-long United Methodists benefit from this four session course.

No cost

REGISTER ONLINE June 28 - Oct 21, 2018

When & Where: Sun  •  Nov 4 - 18, 2018  •  4:00 - 6:00 pm  •  Room 205
Led by: Cheryl Bishop
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by emailing childcare@fumcr.com at least one week before the group meeting.

Would you like to reduce and put an end to temper tantrums, whining, potty training and meal-time battles...and have a great time doing it?  Discover how parenting toddlers can be a joy with our easy to implement techniques that will change your life!  It’s never too early to use Love and Logic.  It even works with the teeny tiny ones!  This four week class will help you with strategies for parenting infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Cost: $20 per family unit for the class and the workbook

REGISTER ONLINE June 28 - Nov 4, 2018