St. Paul's United Methodist Church, Helena, MT
Thursday, February 23, 2012
St. Paul's is a Christian Community in the Heart of Helena, grounded in hospitality, growing in faith, giving in service and going in mission.
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Spiritual Development Transformed People Transforming the WorldCall Lois Neal at 443-4218 for details and availability (or email Lois at: lneal@stpauls-helena.org )
Growing in Faith . . . . Spiritual Development is about growing in faith. We offer many ways to grow your faith at St. Paul's.
Perhaps as you sit in a pew on Sunday morning, an idea from the sermon will intrigue you or a line from a hymn will hit you in a different way that it has before. Bingo – you begin to see your life through a different lens. Or you may be volunteering for Family Promise or Caring Ministries and have a heart opening moment with a person you hardly know. Bingo – in understanding something new about someone else, you are able to see or accept yourself in a new way. Growth opportunities are everywhere once we become aware.
In the Adult Ministry program at St. Paul’s, we offer opportunities for those same ‘aha” moments through intentional study. Throughout the year we offer new opportunities through short term studies. We also have some ongoing studies which you can join.
As we grow in faith it is also important to look at specific areas where we can grow to become more Christ-like: our interdependence on others and our habitat, understanding our own faith as well as those different than ours, how to become better citizens of our country and our world, and avenues we can partake in towards peace and justice.
As we grow in faith we become transformed. In our transformation, we can transform the world.
Join us for one or more of our current studies which are listed below!
Adult Classes & Groups
Please call the church office if you are interested in any of these classes. (442-5643)
Jung Group This ongoing group welcomes new members with whom they could discuss Carl Jung’s works. The class meets on Thursdays from 12:15 - 1:15 PM. They meet in room 200 at Susanna’s Place. Facilitator: Marty Thieltges On Sarpy Creek
(This class is full and now closed.)
Ira Stephens Nelson’s novel, On Sarpy Creek, was written in the 1930s, revived and republished recently. Nelson’s life work is a classic historical novel of the depression generations in southeastern Montana. From the ragged birth of Sareeny and Case Gyler’s first child through the stormy but triumphant years of their marriage, the author weaves a rich and timeless tale of farm life on Sarpy Creek, a small stream nestled in a valley with full view of distant mountains.
The village and the land are as much characters of this story as the villagers who struggle to survive on it. Spend the winter with us as we come to know the lives of Sareeny and Case’s family and their neighbors. We will help shepherd them through the dark years of drought and uncertainty to the mildly prosperous years that follow. Hopefully, we will continue to learn what it means to survive in this great landscape we have inherited. We will study about 40 pages a week. This class runs from January 18 through March 14 in conjunction with the Wednesday night dinners. Dale and Carol Waniata will lead this literary adventure. (The first week we will meet in the Fireside Room but the other location will be announced later as we see how classes fill up.)
Wednesday/Thursday Bible Study The class is using the Cokesbury Adult Bible Study curriculum. They are currently studying the topic “God Establishes a Faithful People” with discussion on the books of Genesis, Exodus, Luke and Galatians. These are open groups with new class members or visitors welcome at any time. Wednesday group meets at 9:30 AM in the church library (C101). Thursday group meets at 9:30 AM in the Fireside Room (SWP101). Leader: Shirley Warehime Financial Peace University This class presented by Dave Ramsey and sponsored by St. Paul’s is being offered again. The 13 week FPU class is a deeper, hands on approach to financial management, understanding investments or insurance and the inner peace that can be attained through practical knowledge. This session began in January. We offer this from time to time so if you are interested in the next session, call Tom at 594-1833. Financial Peace University is a complete money make-over class. Learn how to budget, get out of debt, save and think about money in a different way.
Just Neighbors
"Just Neighbors" is an immersion into the lives of families facing homelesseness - nationally and locally. Over the 8 Wednesdays between February 15 and April 4, Brian Johnson, Executive Director of Family Promise of Greater Helena, will lead one hour sessions on subjects such as "Housing Matters" and "Tough Decisons". This is an exciting cirriuculum developed from over 25 year of Family Promise experince across the country, delivered with Brian’s passion for local housing issues. Class will be held Wednesday evenings, beginning February 15, from 7 - 8 PM in the Church Balcony. All are welcome!
Three Simple Rules
“Three Simple Rules” is a six week course that helps us return to our early Wesleyan roots. The rules are simple; Do No Harm, Do Good, and Stay in Love With God. In this course we will explore what these rules mean to us today, and how we can practice them in our own lives. Class begins Sunday, February 19 and runs through March 25. Class is led by Nancy Trudell and will be held in the Church Library.
Lenten Study
On Wednesday evenings in Lent, join Pastor Marianne for a 5 week Lenten Study: Countering Pharaoh’s Production/Consumption Society Today.
The series features short DVD presentations by Walter Brueggemann, a United Church of Christ minister and an Old Testament scholar. Brueggemann has authored hundreds of articles, several biblical commentaries and more than 50 books. Brueggemann writes that any time we challenge the ‘Pharaohs’ of world, we find ourselves in “. . . a journey from slavery to covenant that we keep making over and over again... [because] Pharaoh has immense power always to draw us back into slavery.”
First Friday Films Ever wanted to have someone to talk with after watching a good movie? First Fridays will feature a movie on a larger screen, popcorn and drinks, and great conversation about the movie we watch together. Some movies we have watched together are: The Help , Invictus, Freedom Writers and Get Low. Movies are held the first Friday of the month at 6:30 PM Fireside Room . There will be no session in March 2012. Facilitator: Lois Neal
Knit & Crochet Group This group offers a great way to learn and share an old time craft. These folks create prayer shawls as well as take on other individual projects as the mood strikes them all in the name of service to others. Join them on any Wednesday when we have a Wednesday Night Dinner and see how much fun you can have in a creative circle of women. Wednesdays beginning Oct. 5 from 4 PM - 5:30 PM in the Church Library. Leaders: Lila Bock and Joann Roullier
Amazing Grace Who was John Wesley? What was the movement called “Methodist?” What is it now? How do the people of St. Paul’s live and grow in God’s love? This is the focus of the Amazing Grace: An Introduction to St. Paul’s and Wesleyan Spirituality class led by Marianne Niesen, Senior Pastor. Anyone who wants to maximize joy, especially in the tough times, will want to take this class. Amazing Grace is generally required for folks who want to join or transfer membership to St. Paul’s. This is a 2 session class which is usually held in room 101/Fireside at Susanna’s Place. If you are interested, please call the church office to inquire about the upcoming dates.
New Adult Ed Leaders Always Welcome!
Are you toying with an idea for a class? Do you have a passion in one of our vision areas (Spiritual Growth, Religious Diversity, Interdependence, Peace, Justice, Faithful Citizenship)? Would you like to lead a class but have never led one before and want some help? Do you know you have the gift of leadership, but need an idea for a class?
If the answer to any of these questions is “Yes,” please give Lois a call at the church office (442-5643 ext 106). |
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