Adult Sunday School Classes

ALDERSGATE

This is a group that avidly seeks spiritual growth, yet there is always time for the couples and singles who attend to visit and share their lives, hopes, joys and disappointments. This group is very intentional in its studies and their gatherings flow from one mind and heart-challenging study to the next. They courageously seek a growing relationship with God and God's creation, often studying thought-provoking theologians. Members may share their inner-most experiences to illustrate God's having touched their lives and they strive to follow in John Wesley's "ways." They consistently search for answers to life's problems and find knowledge, friendship and laughter in their search.

ANIMUS

This class is filled with singles and couples, some with children. You can meet grad students, computer gurus, folks interested in the arts, self-employed persons, teachers, Tech faculty, and others all interested in "soul", "spirit", and "mind"--some of the meanings of "Animus". We choose our study topics based on issues we're struggling with or interests we have. Past topics have included world religions, money, end times theology, politics, prayer, movie discussions, and Methodism. We fellowship through social and service activities, sometimes with our children and sometimes with shared babysitting. We support each other and value our God-given differences in personality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and gender. Please visit our class so that we might meet you!

FELLOWSHIP

Walk by this classroom at 9:00 a.m. and you will often hear strains of "Eidelweiss" and hymns. This is a singing, learning, active group of mostly retired folks - who are far from retiring. They come from a variety of interesting professional backgrounds but are far more interested in enjoying their current life than reflecting much on the past. Their studies concentrate on Bible Study led by a variety of expert teachers. You will meet several great grand parents in the bunch and together they have accumulated the wisdom of a thousand years. They provide strong support to each other and always welcome new members. But if you decide to join them, be ready to party and take excursions. This group is a lively bunch.

OPEN DOOR

In this class you will be graciously welcomed into a loving community. Many of the members have grandchildren graduating from high school and college - which may explain why being in this class feels like you have come home to family. Most members are retired, but share a myriad of backgrounds including pastor, counselor, physician, educator, book seller. In their "spare" time you may find them gardening, writing books, repairing and building, volunteering, participating in UMW and UMM. Joining this class will put you into a comfortable setting in which humble wisdom and gentle kindness abounds.

OPEN MINDS

This group of persons with diverse backgrounds (music, banking, medicine, church, antiques) thrive on discussions based on books they have selected to read. They share much in their personal histories and offer loving support to their members and those who join them. The class celebrates human diversity as the natural order of God's creation.

PHOENIX

Here you will find a fun loving class who often share activities and parties with their children and preteens. Singles are included in their mix. Their members include attorneys, Tech professors, Business people, teachers, all of whom look for ways to relate their daily living to their faith journey. They focus on lively discussions from social issues to bible study. The support they provide to one another as they face difficult times is a comfort to their members and a tribute to their faith.

SHALOM

If you enjoy being in a group of all ages and all perspectives on life - this is the place for you. Many of the class members are involved in the everyday working of the church including the Interfaith Hospitality Network, Legal clinic and Youth Group. They seek spiritual growth through Christian fellowship and Bible study and support each other in their daily struggles for peace and stability. They are often a small group - because members are doing other jobs in the church - but it provides ample opportunity to share thoughts and be listened to with kindness and compassion.

THE SHEPHERDS

This class is just beginning its journey together. They are actively seeking new members. Led by Ted Dotts, Pastor Emeritus at St Johns, the class is determining its own subject matter and is using a participatory learning approach. Ted has a rich history of teaching experience and is well known for his ability to challenge folks to think about Christianity as it applies to everyday life. They are striving to provide fellowship and study in an enjoyable and exciting atmosphere. You can be assured that there will never be a dull moment and there will be ample opportunity for gaining knowledge as well as enjoying fellowship and friendship.

SINE NOMINE

If you are looking for a group that has a diversity of opinions and feels comfortable sharing them, this is the class for you. On any given Sunday you may find one of the following: Tech Professor, Teacher, City Employee, Architect, Farmer, Physician, Minister, Scout Leader, Art Lover, Drama Lover, CPA and more. Are you getting the picture? They are a real hodgepodge of people from diverse backgrounds who like to discuss in a comfortable setting. They usually don't agree on much - even their name means "no name" - but they disagree, agreeably and travel on their faith journey with fun and humor and support each other as they "raise" their teenagers and adult children.