New fall schedule and enrichment opportunities

These programs will provide us a chance to connect with one another and go deeper in our faith. Our enrichment hour, Sunday mornings 10:00-11:00, begins on Rally Sunday, September 9. Through September 9, adults will be able to register Online (see home page for link) or with a registration form on the bulletin board for one of the following enrichment opportunities:

Option 1: Pathways – Phase One
This is our core program for those who seek an intentional path that serves the dual purpose of providing occasions for people to grower deeper in their faith while also forming lasting relationships with others at church. New members, those exploring membership and long-time members alike are encouraged to participate in Pathways. There are two phases to Pathways: Phase One is a program that seeks to provide an overview of Christianity in twelve sessions. After watching a segment by DVD or on YouTube, participants engage in a discussion about the topic presented in the talk. Phase Two will be offered in the spring.

Option 2: Faith in Action
This group will provide affirmation, inspiration and support for faith action efforts in our congregation. The group will share experiences, resources and discuss methods for reaching out. There will be guest speakers, reports from mission trip participants and hands-on projects.

Option 3: Nooma Video Discussion Group
Nooma is a series of short films promoting spiritual reflections on individual life experiences. The name nooma comes from a phonetic spelling of the Greek word πνευμα (pneuma), meaning "wind," "spirit," or "breath."
Each film is about 10 to 14 minutes of Christian teaching related to real-life situations led by Rob Bell. Each short story covers a specific topic, usually by relating various experiences from a Christian perspective. This group will watch one of the videos and then have discussion.

Option 4: Everything Must Change
Status-quo Christianity has traded the revolutionary story of Jesus for familiar clichés. According to Brian McLaren, we need to apply the core message of Jesus to today’s global problems. Everything Must Change delivers a new, hopeful way to see Jesus and his good news so they are not just for the afterlife, but for life in this world too. This will be an 8-10 week study discussion of the book, enhanced by Brian’s DVD. Everyone will have a chance to share experience and opinion.

In addition to the Sunday morning groups, retired UM pastor Jim Gaughan offers:

Wednesday Evening Theology with Jim Gaughan
Wednesday evenings, 6:30 to 7:30, from October 3 to November 14.

Topics considered: Demythologizing the Bible; Religionless Christianity;

Situation Ethics; the End of Theism as We've Known It. Come, dip your toe

into a strain of Protestant theology over the past century and a half.