ADULT EDUCATION/SPIRITUAL GROWTH
ZOOM LINKS for all classes and groups can be found on the CHURCH CALENDAR, unless otherwise indicated.
Book Women
Ongoing September through December
7:00 - 9:00 p.m. on the 3rd Tuesday of the month via Zoom
Leader: Jan Engle
Reading Beyond Our Doors - All women are welcome. This is a diverse group where we read books from our pre-selected list and then discuss monthly. CLICK HERE to view the 2021-22 reading list. Books from the list can be purchased locally through Brillant Books or Horizon Books where book club members receive a 10% discount. Please email Jan Engle with questions and to get the Zoom Meeting link.
Central Moms & Mentors
7:00 -8:00 p.m. Thursdays via ZOOM
Leaders: Alline Beutler and Amber Hassler
A circle of United Methodist Women that welcomes moms and mentors of children 0-18 for Bible study, fellowship, and more. Children’s programming is available on the first floor during this time.
More info available at: : facebook.com/groups/momscentralumc
Coffee & Conversation with the Pastors
12:15 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. on the last Sunday of the month in-person (Room 301) and online via Zoom
Join the pastors for coffee and fellowship after the 11 am service on the last Sunday of the month. You’ll have an opportunity to discuss what moved you in worship, talk with Pastors Chris and Linda to take the lesson deeper, or just say hello to your neighbors. At least one of the pastors will be present for this informal discussion. Bring your own coffee and cookies!
CLICK HERE to join the Zoom Meeting. Conversation will begin promptly at 12:15.
Covenant Disciples
11 a.m. – 12 noon on Friday mornings
Ongoing Weekly via Zoom
Leaders: Kathy Mead and Dianne Morrison
The principle of Covenant Disciples was started by John Wesley. At Central, the Covenant Disciples group listens without fixing, encourages without prescribing, and holds each other accountable without judging. This is a welcoming group that challenges your thinking in many different ways, opens up different options to learning more about God's presence in our daily lives. You can be your authentic self in this group. This ongoing gathering meets Friday mornings on Zoom, sharing a short reading and quiet prayer. Visitors and new members are always welcome. Please email Kathy Mead with questions and to get the Zoom Meeting link.
Friday Book Group
1:00-2:15 p.m. on Friday afternoons online via Zoom
September 17 - November 19
Leaders: Carol Larson, John & Melanie Miner and Katie Butera
Our first fall discussion book will be "Seeing Gray in a World of Black & White" by Adam Hamilton. "When it comes to matters of faith that keep believers awake at night, trigger conflict among best friends, or simply pique our own curiosity, Adam Hamilton seems to read our collective minds. Written with a pastor’s heart and an articulate theologian’s mind, Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White offers a ‘third way’ that joins vital piety with social holiness. It unites scripture with tradition, reason, and experience. Even when we cannot agree on common ground, Seeing Gray reminds us that we stand together on higher ground. This book is for thinking Christians.” -Janice Riggle Huie, President of the UMC Council of Bishops
Books can be purchased in the church office for $16 or on Amazon.
Click Here to Register without Buying the Book
Click Here to Register and Buy the Book Now
Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
Knit One, Crochet Two
10:30 a.m. – 12 noon on Tuesdays in Room 301 and online via Zoom
Ongoing
Leaders: Jane Damschroder and Linda Wolgast
Our group meets every Tuesday 10:30 a.m. -12:00 noon. We have casual discussions, sharing of a knitting appropriate reading, and a “show & tell” of our knitting projects. Crocheting or knitting expertise is not a prerequisite. Fellowship is the foundation and joy of our members. Please email Linda Wolgast to get connected.
Men’s Breakfast Group
9:00– 10:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of the month in the Church Lounge
Leaders: BJ Harmon and Staton Lorenz
Come join a circle of men who are seeking God in their lives. The Men’s Breakfast is meeting to share "donuts and devotions" on the first Wednesday of each month. They are committed to asking big questions, sharing laughter and encouragement, and praying for the world. New members are welcome.
Men’s Room
7:00 - 8:00 p.m. on the 3rd Thursday of the month via ZOOM
Leader: Dick Wallace & Doug Haberland
Come join a circle of men who are seeking God in their lives. They are committed to asking big questions, sharing laughter and encouragement, and praying for the world. New members are welcome.
Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting.
Sunday Morning Pilgrimage
10:00 -10:50 a.m. on Sunday mornings in Room 306 and online via ZOOM
Ongoing September through the end of May
Leaders: Kathy Mead, Ali Thornton and Laura Oldenburg
Join this Sunday morning group to connect with people that will welcome you in and encourage you as each of us seeks a path to grow closer to God and to community. This fall, the group will be reading The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways that Jesus is the Way, by Eugene Peterson. The book is available at the church office for $18 or on Amazon.
Click Here to Register without Buying the Book
Click Here to Register and Buy the Book Now
Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
How to Heal Our Divides
6:30 p.m. on Sunday evenings online via ZOOM
September 26 – December 5 (no class 11/28)
Leaders: Gary Roll and Dianne Morrison
Too often we struggle to find our way through complex issues and we end up fighting with or splitting apart from each other. The church seems to be as embattled as the culture around us. At the same time, these contentious issues offer an opportunity for Christian spiritual formation and discipleship. In the midst of our current complexity we see a moment to grow our love for each other and for God. This 10-week small group series engages in political talk in healthy and redemptive ways. The Book "How To Heal Our Divides" is available for $17 in the church office, or on Amazon.
Click Here to Register Now without Buying the Book
Click Here to Register and Buy the Book Now
Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
Monday PM Bible Study
5:30 – 7:00 p.m. on Mondays via ZOOM
Ongoing Weekly
Leader: Eldon Horner
For the past several years, this weekly Bible study group has worked through the books of the Bible one by one. Even if you haven’t joined them in the past, there is room for you!
Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
Wired Word
10 -10:45 a.m. Sunday mornings in Zoom Room 301 and online via ZOOM
September 19 - November 21
Wired Word (formerly Faithlink) is led by several different people on a rotating basis
This group looks at current events in our world and applies Christianity, and more specifically United Methodist views, to connect life and faith. If you would like the weekly Wired Word article emailed to you, please ask Katie Butera to add you to the list
Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
Why?
6:30 p.m. Thursday evenings via Zoom
October 7 - 28
Leader: Darcy Dewling
In Why?, best-selling author Adam Hamilton brings fresh insight to the age-old question of how to understand the will of God. Rejecting simplistic answers and unexamined assumptions, he lays out core ideas for comprehending God's plan for the world, including: God will not take away our free will, even when we use it to grieve him. God will never abandon us, especially in the midst of our suffering. While God is not the author of suffering, God will bring blessing out of tragedy. We will discuss these questions and more, please join us!
Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting
Wonderful Wednesdays NEW OPPORTUNTIES!!
6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Dessert and Devotionals in person and LIVESTREAMED via Facebook
6:30 pm – 7:30 p.m. Rotating opportunities to Search, Serve, or Step
Leader: Katie Butera
Serve:
Serve Wednesday will begin on September 15th and continue on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm, except in December. Serve will be an offering of a 60-minute project that can be done in a classroom of CUMC by everyone. In most cases, someone from the organization we are serving will do a short educational presentation.
Search:
These Wednesday lectures will allow us to search, learn, and grow in our spiritual development and care for each other. The first offering, Advanced Care Planning on October 6th, requires an RSVP prior to September 27th. RSVP to Katie via email to or phone message at 231.774.9211 ext231.
Step:
Let’s go outside! Join others for a slow, contemplative walk to the bay and around nearby natural areas. We will explore song, scripture, and silence as we engage in moving prayer. There will be an independent sitting or walking meditation/ devotional time before walking back to the church. Bring blankets and clothes for the weather forecast. Inclement weather plans will involve chair or light yoga in the church with a similar intention of moving prayer and meditation.
September 15 -Serve Michael’s Place Care Packages (Pam Jones, educator), Cat Toys for Cherryland Humane Society
September 22- Step (see above)
September 29- Step (see above)
October 6- Search Advanced Care Planning - presented by Stephanie Van Slyke, BA, RN HEC-C Clinical Nurse Ethicist, Sr. Coordinator Ethics & Advance Care Planning. Please note, this event will start at 6:00 p.m.
October 13 - Step (see above)
October 20 - Serve- Thanksgiving Decorated bags for Meals on Wheels (NMCAA), PoWeR! Book Bags Bag tag and booklet assembly, Prison Ministry (BDAI) color and laminate bookmarks.
October 27 - Search “The Art of Active listening - How many people do you listen to in a day – and really hear them? Active listening refers to a pattern of listening that keeps one engaged with a conversation partner in a positive way. Come learn and interactively practice a variety of listening skills. - presented by Lisa Cooley, Stephen Ministries Leader
November 3 - Search “Dealing with Grief in Its Many Forms” Everyone is likely to encounter grief at different times in life and for different situations - through the loss of a loved one or a way of life or a job or a relationship or ?. You will learn about the different stages of grief, along with practical ways you can care for yourself and others at each stage. - presented by Arlene Morton, Stephen Ministries Leader
November 10 - Search “Ways to Take Action For Climate Solutions” presented by Kate Madigan from The Groundwork Center. Let’s come together to be a good steward of Creator’s earth.
November 17 – Serve Christmas Card Kits for Children's Advocacy Center children, PoWeR! Book Bags finger puppet head tie-off.
December 1 - (Serve, Step, and Seek!) Advent Night!
