Christian Education

SPIRITUAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AT ST. PAUL'S UMC

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN, TEENS, COLLEGE STUDENTS AND ADULTS

Who is Christ in our lives? How do we live out our ministry? To whom do we belong? How do we know God? How can we live out our faith? What does the journey look like? Who are the sojourners along the way? Your Christian Education is a vital component for your personal spiritual growth.

Listed here are the numerous opportunities for spiritual growth at St. Paul's. For current offerings, check out our Small Groups web page where you can find information on every current active group / class as well as information on new groups / classes that are currently forming. You can also contact the group / class leader or even join the group online.

You are cordially invited to participate in these groups and classes. In addition to the groups and classes listed below there are many other opportunities in all age categories. Please call Donna Snyder, Director of Christian Education, 237-2163, ext. 125, for more information. These offerings include: Bible studies, book discussions, video series, retreat experiences, and more. Please come, learn, grow and enjoy!

Christian Education Leadership

Christian Education Director - Donna Snyder, 237-2163 ext. 125

Director of Children's Ministries -Tori Von Leer, 235-3040

Director of Youth Ministries - David Fisher, 237-2163 ext. 137

Small Group Ministry Coordinator - Rev. Sam Dull, 235-1567

Adult Christian Education Coordinator - Phil Mohr

ChristCare Group Coordinators - Shirley Wormley and Jean Chirpas

Alpha Coordinator - Reginald Goeke

1. CHILDREN'S SMALL GROUPS (for birth-5th Grade)

Contact: Tori Von Leer, Director of Children's Ministries, 237-2163 ext. 148

More information about Childrens' Activities and Sunday School Classes can be found on the Children's web page.

Name	Description	Meeting Time / Special Notes
Children's Sunday School (2 yrs-Grade 5)	Bible stories, fun, singing, crafts, and fellowship	9:15am Sunday, Education Building Classes for 2 yr olds through 5th grade
FW Friends (Grades Pre-K- Grade 5)	Midweek fun (crafts, games, and music), faith-building and dinner	4:30-6:45pm Thursday. Meets for two 8 weeks sessions per year.
God and Me (Grades 1-3)	Designed to help children become best friends with Jesus and tell their story of "God and Me" together.	3:45-5:00pm Sunday. Meets for approximately 6 sessions, as scheduled. Offered every other year. Part of Scouts' God and Country program.
God and My Family (Grades 4-5)	Helps kids understand the importance of family and God's role in a healthy family	Part of Scouts' God and Country program. (Offered alternate years, to be offered in 2006)

2. YOUTH SMALL GROUPS (for 6th-12th Grade)

Contact: David Fisher, Director of Youth Ministries 237-2163 x137

Name	Description	Meeting Time/Special Note
Boy Scouts	Troop 31, chartered by St. Paul's	7 pm Tuesday, Gym
Confirmation	Preparation to make a personal commitment to Christ and become a full member of St. Paul's.	Schedule varies year-to-year. For 9th Grade and up.
God and Church (Grades 6-8)	A journey to meet Jesus, worship God and witness/minister for Christ	Part of Scout's' God and Country program. Offered every year.
God and Life (Grades 9-12)	Study based on the life of Paul as recorded in Acts 9:1-311	Part of Scout's' God and Country program. Offered every year.
Youth Fellowship	Middle School and Sr. High Youth Fellowship	Watch for updates about special events in addition to Sunday morning K-Cafe!
TBS*	*Summer "Tuesday Bible Study"	Tuesday evenings in the summer.
Koinonia Cafe	Bible study, discussion, fellowship, breakfast	9:00 am Sunday, 3rd floor Ed Center

3. COLLEGE AGE SMALL GROUPS (be sure to check Adult opportunities as well!)

Contact: Pastor Karen Urbanski, Director of Campus Ministries 237-2163. Find out about all the current activities at Wesley Student Center.

Name	Description	Meeting Time/Special Notes
Dinner and Worship	Dinner, worship and fellowship on Thursday evenings	6 pm Dinner Abba Java House Student-led Praise and Worship followed by fellowship time until 10 pm
Retreats	Various weekend retreats	Check bulletin board/website for details
Weekly Bible Studies	Various studies	Check bulletin board/website for details

4. ADULT SMALL GROUP OPPORTUNITIES

Contact Donna Snyder, Director of Christian Education at 237-2163

A. Adult Faith Introduction Classes

Name	Description	Meeting Time/Special Notes
Alpha	A practical introduction to the Christian faith designed for people of all backgrounds and faith-based experiences to explore the meaning of life in a safe, enjoyable and non-threatening atmosphere.	TBA. Check bulletins or Small Groups web page (click on New Groups).

B. Adult Bible Study Classes and Book Discussion Groups

1. Adult Christian Education Hour Classes

All adults and college students are welcome to visit classes on any Sunday. Please check the Bulletin for the most accurate course locations and availability.

Name	Description	Meeting Time/Special Notes
Bible Study	Weekly Bible Study	9:15am Sunday, Rm.204 Wesley
Brotherhood Class/Friendship Class	Men's and Women's Adult Bible Study	9:15am Sunday, Asbury Room, Library
The Forum	Topical study group, discussion group and lecture class. No preparation necessary (co-ed)	9:15am Sunday, The Conference Room (308) Christian Ed Center on McAllister
The 10:45 Forum	Issues Oriented Adult Bible Study (co-ed)	10:45am Sunday, The Asbury Room/Library
Adult Bible Study (ABS)	Co-ed Adult Bible Study	9:15am Sunday, Rm. 205 Wesley
Seekers and Servants	Great class for new members to join. Variety of studies are offered throughout the year (co-ed).	9:15am Sunday, Rm. 303 Wesley
Spiritual Gifts Class	Discover Your Spiritual Gifts	TBA Annually

2. Adult DISCIPLE Courses

Most Disciple classes run early fall through late spring. For more information, please contact the Christian Education office at 237-2163 x125

Name	Description	Meeting Time/Special Notes
Christian Believer (knowing God with Heart and Mind)	32-week study integrating Bible Study and Christian doctrine	Open to all adults. TBA,
Disciple 1: Becoming Disciples through Bible Study	34-week in-depth study from Genesis to Revelation, goal is transformation	2 1/2 hour weekly meetings. Daily Bible study required. TBA.
Disciple II: Into the Word Into the World	32-week study focusing on Genesis, Exodus, Luke and Acts	Prerequisite: Disciple I. 2 1/2 hour weekly meetings. Daily Bible study required. TBA.
Disciple III: Remember Who You Are	32-week study of the Prophets and Romans	Prerequisite: Disciple I. 2 1/2 hour weekly meetings. Daily Bible study required. TBA.
Disciple IV: Under the Tree of Life	31-week study of the writings of the Old Testament, John, John 1,2,3, James, Jude, and Revelation	Prerequisite: Disciple I. 2 1/2 hour weekly meetings with daily Bible study required. TBA.
Invitation to the Old/New Testament Classes	8-week short courses on Old and New Testaments	Open to all adults. TBA.
Jesus in the Gospels	30-week study focusing on the portraits of Jesus found in our Gospels	Prerequisite: Disciple I. 2 1/2 hour weekly meetings. Daily Bible study required. TBA.

3. Adult Short-Term Bible Study Opportunities

A wide variety of short-term Bible Study opportunities are offered year round at varying times. Upcoming courses are listed in the Messenger newsletter, Bulletin announcements and on the Small Groups web page (click on New Groups). If you have an idea for a class, please contact Donna Snyder at 237-2163 x125.

4. Adult Book Discussion Groups

Name	Description	Meeting Time/Special Notes
Tuesday Morning Bible/Book Study	Bible or Book study	7 am, 2nd and 4th Tuesday, study. Other Tuesdays just breakfast and fellowship. Call for location. 237-2163.
Inspirational Book Club	Weekly book discussion group	9am Monday, Barnes and Noble
Women of Purpose	Women's book and discussion group	12:30 Tuesdays, Room 308 Conference Room, Christian Ed Building

C. ChristCare Small Group Ministries

A ChristCare Group is a gathering of up to 12 people who meet twice monthly for the purpose of: mutual care, encouragement, support and accountability, prayer and worship, practical study that relates the Bible or biblical principles to every day life, and service or outreach to others. Each group is led by a trained leader who receives ongoing support and encouragement. The group independently chooses the topic of study and nature of its service and outreach.

A current list of ChirstCare groups can be found on the Small Groups web page (click on Find a Group then enter ChristCare in the small group browser search bar).

D. Family and Marriage-Related Groups

Name	Description	Meeting Time/Special Notes
Alpha Marriage Course	Marriage enrichment course for married and engaged couples	7 weeks, fall and spring. Dinner for two, private discussion. Childcare provided. TBA.
Parenting Classes	Various parenting classes	Watch for periodic offerings

E. Interest-Related Small Groups

Name	Description	Meeting Time/Special Notes
Basketball	Basketball and devotions	Find a team. Find a time.Gym
Cards for Christ	Create handmade cards to send on request	Meets monthly
Knit Together	Knitting, devotional, sharing, and conversation group. Create items to be used for missions	1pm 3rd Tuesday
Knit Together II	Knitting, devotional, sharing, and conversation group. Create items to be used for missions	7pm 2nd, 4th Wednesday, Abba Java
St. Paul's Saints Slow Pitch Softball Club	Fun-spirited softball games against local church teams	6:30pm Monday Mid-May-Aug

F. Men's Groups

Name	Description	Meeting Time/Special Notes
Accountable Disciples	Prayer and Study Group	6:30am Friday, Social Room
Brotherhood Class	Men's and Women's Sunday School Class	9:15am Sunday, The Asbury Room/Library
Men's Fraternity	Study group focused on making deeply committed Christian men.	7:00 pm Wednesday, Home of Rev. Sam Dull.
Emmaus Men's Reunion Group	For those who have attended a Walk to Emmaus weekend and want to hold themselves accountable to their discipleship.	7:30 am, Saturday and Nittany Oil (across from bowling alley).

G. Support-Related Small Groups

Name	Description	Meeting Time/Special Notes
Going on After Loss Support (GOALS)	Includes social events, specific grief programming, and one-on-one care-giving	As needed/scheduled
Life After Loss	6-week hospice course and dinner	Offered in the fall and the spring

H. Women's Groups

Date	Description	Meeting Time/Special Notes
Beth Moore Bible Studies	Challenging, inspiring video Bible Studies for women presented by Beth Moore	As scheduled. Courses typically last 10 weeks.
Tuesday Morning Small Group	Fellowship, study and breakfast	7am 2nd/4th Tuesdays Call for location. 237-2163
Friendship Class	Women's and Men's Sunday School class	9:15am Sunday, The Asbury Room/Library
United Methodist Women	Work locally and globally through dedicated circles to bring the love of Christ into the lives of women, youth and children. Develop a creative, supportive fellowship of women through prayers, projects, resources, time and talent	Seven circles meet monthly. Unit meetings first Monday of the month at various times.
Wed. Morning Women's Bible Study	Currently a Disciple I class, but typically topical and Bible studies for all ages	9:30-11:30am Wed., The great room of the Christian Ed Center on McAllister
Women of Purpose	Bible study group	12:30 Tuesday, The great room of the Christian Ed Center on McAllister
Women's Retreat	Study, fellowship, and time with Christ	Check Messenger and Bulletin for upcoming retreats.

I. Going Deeper/Prayer Groups

Name	Description	Meeting Time/Special Notes
Walk to Emmaus	For the development of Christian leaders. A special weekend to strengthen relationship with Christ and learn more about grace.	Weekend. Thurs pm-Sun pm in Fall or Spring. Reunion groups for accountability and support.
Walk to Emmaus Centre Gathering	Emmaus gatherings for those who have attended a Walk to Emmaus weekend. It's an evening of fellowship, worship, witness talk, small group discussion and communion.	Meets five to six times a year at Mount Nittany United Methodist Church from 6:30 to 8:30pm on a Saturday night. Watch bulletins and newsletters for announcement of date.
Prayer Ministry Team	Intercessory prayer group	12pm-1pm Thurs., Sanctuary