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When & Where: Wed  •  Monthly, except July and August, 3rd  •  7:00 - 8:30 p.m.  •  Room 211
Led by: Melanie Calvert and Kim Cabeza
Childcare:

Grace is one of the newer evening Circles that formed in March 2015 and organizes programs geared for women of all ages who are occupied during the daytime by work or home responsibilities. Our purpose is to fellowship and support mission within and outside the walls of our church. Are you looking for an opportunity to develop closer friendships with other women? Then come join us.

When & Where: Sun  •  Feb 14 - Mar 13  •  11 am - 12 pm  •  Room 204
Led by: Rev. Marilyn Dickson
Childcare: Nursery: 0-23 mos. Sunday school: ages 2-5 at 8:45, ages 2-18 at 9:45, ages 2-6 at 11.

Learning to pray with scripture means we are intentional about using different listening skills through two spiritual practices passed down through time.  Each text we read will deepen our understanding of God's relationship with us and insight for our personal journeys of daily living.

Registration not Required 

When & Where: Sun  •  Feb 7 - 21  •  11 am - 12 noon  •  Room 203
Led by: Ed Franz
Childcare: Nursery: 0-23 mos. Sunday school: ages 2-5 at 8:45, ages 2-18 at 9:45, ages 2-6 at 11.

Jesus promised his followers "abundant" life. Not more stuff, but happiness... generous, deep down and pervasive! Life that's not merely pleasant and good, but meaningful, rich and ful­filling! Theologians describe such a life as one filled with "joy"; psychologists call it "happiness." Can we gain it directly or is it always a by-product, most often beyond our control? Are we each hard-wired for just a certain amount of it, and no more? Why aren’t all Christians supremely happy, all the time? Let’s consider how findings in the emerging field of Positive Psychology can help us realize greater happiness throughout our life’s journey.

Register Jan 4 - Feb 6

When & Where: Sun  •  Feb 7 - Mar 20  •  9:45 - 10:35 am  •  Mays Hall
Led by: Dr. Becky Bruff
Childcare: Nursery: 0-23 mos. Sunday school: ages 2-5 at 8:45, ages 2-18 at 9:45, ages 2-6 at 11.

In this class, we’ll explore our spiritual journey, looking through the “lens” of some of the most significant aspects of our lives. And we’ll discover ways to continue to grow in our own life with God, and to support our kids in their journeys.

Register Jan 4 - Feb 6

When & Where: Wed  •  Monthly Fourth  •  10:00 a.m.  •  Room 210
Led by: Carolyn Dale and Karen Dobson
Childcare: No

Joanna is a new daytime Circle that formed in March 2015. It is an intimate group that meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 10 am. The focus of this group is to develop deep friendships and to participate in global and local mission activities. Field trips to local missions are planned for the upcoming year. Guests of all ages are always welcome.

For more information, contact or .

Registration not Required 

When & Where: Wed  •  Jan. 20- March 30  •  6:30 - 8 pm  •  Leader's home
Led by: Terry & Sandy Brehm and Gary & Glenda Hanks
Childcare: No

Our group allows for a lot of group discussion and is accepting of everyone's views/beliefs. Our goal is to create a community of fellowship and build relationships with other church members.

Registration not Required 

When & Where: Sun  •  Jan. 17-March 27  •  6:15 - 7:45 PM  •  Ogden East
Led by: Ron Bookman and Connie Wilcoxen and Vickie and Steve Tesmer
Childcare: Yes. Call 972.996.0120 by noon two business days prior to group meeting

This group is a mix of singles and couples who are in their 40's plus.  This group primarily worships in Access at 5pm and meets following the service.  We love to do our service projects and strive for 100% participation from the group.

Register Jan. 1- March 6

When & Where: Sun  •  Jan. 17-March 27  •  12:15 - 1:45 pm  •  Room 213
Led by: Laura Bray, Claire Miazza and Suzie Kuddes
Childcare: Yes. Call 972.996.0120 by noon two business days prior to group meeting

We are a group who enjoy time in a small group after the 11:00 service to connect with others and talk about the sermon while having Sunday lunch/snack.

Register Jan.1-March 6

When & Where: Sun  •  Jan 17 - Jan 31  •  11 am - 12 pm  •  Room 204
Led by: Rev. Fred Trevino
Childcare: Nursery: 0-23 mos. Sunday school: ages 2-5 at 8:45, ages 2-18 at 9:45, ages 2-6 at 11.

This class covers the basics of United Methodist theology, structure, and polity. It’s a great class for those new to the church or the denomination, or for anyone who wants a refresher on what makes us unique.

When & Where: Wed  •  Jan 13 - Feb 17  •  11 am - 12:30 pm  •  Room 230A
Led by: Dorothy Cheairs and Betty Self
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by calling 972.996.0120 at least one week before the group meeting.

This seven week course looks at the complexities of life by exploring Genesis, a book that tells the story of one imperfect family---from Adam and Eve all the way to Joseph and his brothers.

Register Dec 15 - Jan 12

When & Where: Mon  •  Nov 2 - Dec 7  •  7 - 8:45 pm  •  Room 203, Education Building
Led by: Rev. Justin Tull
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by calling 972.996.0120 at least one week before the group meeting.

The world's bestselling, most-read, and most-loved book is also sometimes the most confusing! We invite you to ask questions as we wrestle with understanding how the Bible helps us find meaning and purpose in our lives. Whether you have recently picked up a Bible for the first time or if you have many years of study under your belt - this class is for you!

Some areas of discussion may include:

• Why is God so violent in the Old Testament?
• Why would Paul command women to "keep silent in the church"?
• How does God view homosexual people?
• Is the Book of Revelation a guide to the End Times?

Register July 1 - Nov. 2

When & Where: Sun  •  Nov 1 - 22  •  5 - 7 pm  •  Room 205, Education Building
Led by: Cheryl Bishop, Director of Children's Ministries
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by calling 972.996.0120 at least one week before the group meeting.

Raise children who are self-confident, motivated, and ready for the real world with this win-win approach to parenting. Your children will win because they’ll learn to solve their own problems while gaining the confidence they need to meet life’s challenges. And you’ll win because you’ll establish healthy control – without resorting to anger, threats, nagging or exhausting power struggles. Parenting with Love & Logic puts the fun back into parenting! The class is designed for parents of school-age children.

Singles are welcome, and parents are invited to register together (i.e. one $20.00 registration fee per family).

Register July 1 - Nov 1

When & Where: Sun  •  Oct 18 - Nov 22  •  12:30-2 pm  •  Room 230
Led by: Dr. Stephen Rankin
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by calling 972.996.0120 at least one week before the group meeting.

Join us to study of the lives of John and Charles Wesley and examine their Church of England backgrounds and the events taking place in history contemporaneous with these times.

Don’t let this rather heavy-handed description lull you into thinking these classes will resemble the history classes you took in school. We will be privileged to hear the history from Dr. Stephen Rankin, Campus Chaplain at SMU and teacher extra ordinary!

Register Oct 6-25

When & Where: Sun  •  Oct 18 - Nov 8  •  12:30-2 pm  •  Room 203
Led by: Dr. Clayton Oliphint and others
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by calling 972.996.0120 at least one week before the group meeting.

Explore the history, culture, religions and struggles of Israel, the land we call holy, with Dr. Oliphint and others. This 4 week class is open to all, and may be especially helpful for those travelling to Israel.

Lunch is available for $5 each session with reservation.

Register Sep 22 - Oct 16

When & Where: Thur  •  Oct 8 and 15  •  9 - 11 am  •  Brutal Family Life Center, Room 2A
Led by: Marilyn Dickson
Childcare:

Prayer beads are a purposeful tool used by various traditions throughout the centuries as a way to keep our minds & hearts focused during prayer. Join us for this hands-on class as we create our own prayer beads, discuss how they may be used and deepen our understanding of God's work in our lives. 

This class is scheduled to meet Thursday mornings, October 8 & 15.

An alternative class time, with the same material, will be offered Sunday afternoons, October 4 & 11. If you are interested in the Sunday afternoon class, please check the listing of classes at www.fumcr.com/learn and look for the one titled "Prayer Beads: Sunday Afternoon" to register. 

We encourage all participants to register for either Sunday afternoons or Thursday mornings, not both. 

Registration Fee: $20.00 (includes bead-making kit with beautiful designs to choose from). 

Register July 6 - Oct 8

When & Where: Sun  •  Oct 4 and 11  •  4 - 6 pm  •  Room 208, Education Building
Led by: Marilyn Dickson
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by calling 972.996.0120 at least one week before the group meeting.

Prayer beads are a purposeful tool used by various traditions throughout the centuries as a way to keep our minds & hearts focused during prayer. Join us for this hands-on class as we create our own prayer beads, discuss how they may be used and deepen our understanding of God's work in our lives. 

This class is scheduled to meet Sunday afternoons, October 4 & 11.

An alternative class time, with the same material, will be offered Thursday mornings, October 8 & 15. If you are interested in the Thursday morning class, please check the listing of classes at www.fumcr.com/learn and look for the one titled "Prayer Beads: Thursday Morning" to register. 

We encourage all participants to register for either Sunday afternoons or Thursday mornings, not both.

Registration Fee: $20.00 (includes a bead-making kit with beautiful designs to choose from).

Register July 6 - Oct 4

When & Where: Sun  •  Sep 13 - Nov 15  •  6 - 7 pm  •  Room 203, Education Building
Led by: Scott & Shannon Smith
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by calling 972.996.0120 at least one week before the group meeting.

In this revealing program, nationally syndicated radio personality and author Dave Ramsey teaches families to communicate about money and equips them with the tools to beat debt and build wealth God’s way.

We all need a plan for our money, and Financial Peace may be your plan! It teaches God's ways of handling money. Through video teaching, class discussions and interactive small group activities, this course presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you've dreamed you could be. This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more!

Registration Fee: $93.00

Register July 6 - Sep 13

When & Where: Sun  •  Sept. 13, 20 and 27  •  11 am - 12 noon  •  Room 203, Education Building
Led by: Ed Frantz
Childcare: Nursery: 0-23 mos. Sunday school: ages 2-5 at 8:45, ages 2-18 at 9:45, ages 2-6 at 11.

Christians are becoming increasingly aware of the other great enduring religious traditions, home to millions of followers around the globe. For some Christians, this poses concerns threatening to their own faith. In this study, we will see how Christians may remain committed to their own faith, without viewing the other great traditions as either false or inferior. 

The aim of this study is not to provide quick and easy solutions to the challenges associated with Christianity's encounter with "religious pluralism,” but rather to broaden our perspective and to stimulate deeper thought, to correct certain misapprehensions and to clarify issues. Our hope is to explore how Christian pluralism is possible, at what cost to certain traditional doctrinal views and why it is attractive to a growing number of persons both inside and outside of the church.

Register July 1 - Sep 13

When & Where: Wed  •  Sept. 9- Nov. 18  •  7 - 8:30 pm  •  Owen and Jennifer Smith home.
Led by: Rebekah Gilbert / Katie Kenson
Childcare: No

Married couples doing book study.

When & Where: Wed  •  Sep 2 - Nov 18  •  9 - 11 am  •  Room 205, Education Building
Led by: Lisa Hancock
Childcare: Yes. Please make reservations by calling 972.996.0120 at least one week before the group meeting.

This experiential course uses an ancient tool synthesized from many religious traditions for thousands of years, the Enneagram. The Enneagram is an excellent instrument not only for self-awareness but for personal and spiritual growth, as well. It gives us a vision of who we are meant to be, once we experience freedom from the limitations of the habits of our minds. The Enneagram is primarily a spiritual tool and is one of the clearest and most accurate methods for understanding ourselves and those important to us. This insight changes lives and answers questions about our behavior and unconscious motivations. Real self-knowledge assists in our spiritual journey and enables our true and best self to emerge and can transform the way we relate to others.

Register July 2 - Sep 2

When & Where: Tue  •  Sep 1, 2015 - Mar 1, 2016  •  1 - 2:45 pm  •  Room 2B, Bartula Family Life Center
Led by: Bob Diggs and Rev. Mary Howard
Childcare: No

Covenant is a comprehensive, in-depth study of the Bible over the course of several months. In contrast to the learning experience of other groups, this in-depth study of the whole Bible emphasizes the biblical concept of covenant as a unifying pattern through all the books in the Old and New Testaments. It highlights the unique relationship that God chooses to have with us as God’s people. This relationship is grounded in the faithfulness of God’s love and on our ongoing commitment to stay in love with God while we share signs of that love with others.  Three 8-episode segments explore a different aspect of Covenant life. Each will examine what Covenant means, and the progression of a Covenant relationship with God.

 Creating the Covenant: Examines how the Covenant community is created and established.

 Living the Covenant: Focuses on how the community lives out their Covenant in faithful love—how it’s applied to actual relationships in everyday life.

 Trusting the Covenant: Looks at the crises that sometimes call Covenant life into question, and how we are restored to trust in God when troubling things happen.

Covenant represents a relationship—a living, breathing conversation.

Register July 1 - Sep 13

When & Where: Wed  •  Monthly, except June, 3rd  •  7 - 8:30 p.m.  •  Room 211
Led by: Melanie Calvert and Kim Cabeza
Childcare:

Grace is a new evening Circle that formed in March 2015 and organizes programs geared for women of all ages who are occupied during the daytime by work or home responsibilities. Our purpose is to fellowship and support mission within and outside the walls of our church. Are you looking for an opportunity to develop closer friendships with other women? Then come join us.

Registration not Required 

When & Where: Wed  •  Monthly, except June and July, 4th  •  10:00 - 11:30 am  •  First Center on Custer Road
Led by: Melanie Cottam and Marta Mountjoy
Childcare: No

Joanna Circle is a new Circle that welcomes women of all ages. This group will learn about UMW, tour local missions, develop friendships, serve and grow spiritually.

Registration not Required 

When & Where: Sun  •  Apr 12 - Apr 26  •  11:00 - Noon  •  Room 203, Education Building
Led by: Ed Frantz
Childcare: Nursery: 0-23 mos. Sunday school: ages 2-5 at 8:45, ages 2-18 at 9:45, ages 2-6 at 11.

St. Paul recognized there were babes in the faith, and there were mature. And John Wesley spoke of “an order of salvation”… a sequence of stages inevitably experienced in “the journey of faith.”

Let’s describe this maturation process in contemporary terms… the specific stages and to what end. Let’s compare and contrast the insights of two pioneering developmental psychologists — the humanist Abraham Maslow and Christian James Fowler — the former describing a journey to psychological maturity, the latter to spiritual maturity. This venture can be extremely helpful in locating where we are in our own faith journey, and the likely growth opportunities that lie ahead!

All are welcome!

Please register your attendance by contacting Ed Frantz at or 214-553-0306.