Study Opportunities/Faith Development

Trinity UMC, Town Point UMC, Jacob's Well

Faith Development Options 
Spring 2008

All classes are open to the community. If a topic appeals to you, we invite you to join us.

Equipping Lay Ministry Courses

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the Bible and the life of faith from Seminary educators?  Wesley seminar offers the "Equipping Lay Ministry" courses for laity.  Courses are offered in a concentrated weekend format, and they are outstanding!

Right now, if 3 or more people from our church family attend a course, the cost is just $100 per person. This is truly a gift. Check out the current course listings for summer 2008.

Small Group Opportunities:

Covenant Disciple Groups*
Covenant Groups typically meet one hour a week for about a year and are intended to enable group members to provide support and accountability to one another in their Christian journey. Members develop a "covenant" together, which they use as a guide in growing in spiritual disciplines and service to others.

Weekday group: Tuesdays, 10am, Town Point (kids welcome, but not required). Contact: Pastor Amy.

Men's group: Wed. 6:15 a.m. Jack and Helen's Restaurant. Contact Ray Yarnall 410-398-8003 rayyarnall@gmail.com

Interested in starting a group? Contact Jack Shitama for information and support.

*For more information see the Covenant Disciple web page.

Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense based on the book Simply Christian by N. T. Wright This will be a 10 week video based study. Watch for new class to start in summer/fall 2007.

A Sure Path: Whether you're a new Christian or a mature one, "A Sure Path" will guide you into a deeper walk with God along paths of trust, obedience, and insight (post by Bob Dellinger on Amazon.com). Join together for this 12-week devotional guide intended to help participants along in their Christian journey.
Cameron's, Wednesdays, 7pm. Contact Bill or Sally Cameron at (410) 885-3001

Disciple Bible Study: Have you ever felt like understanding scripture was impossible on your own? Don't despair, this 34-week intensive study covers approximately 70% of the bible and enables participants to really dig into scripture together. While this study requires a commitment to meet each week, plus read scripture daily, it has proven to be a life-changing experience for millions. A great place for beginners to start.
Watch for new group in fall of 2007.

DivorceCare: This 13-week video based seminar/support group uses a faith-based approach to help those going through separation or divorce. Each session includes a 35-minute video on a relevant topic such as anger, depression, loneliness, finance, kid care, etc. The video is followed by discussion, a time for supporting one another and, of course, prayer.
Trinity, Leader: Alison Windle. The start date is being set. Contact Alison to express interest and share meeting time suggestions. 410-885-2728. awindle@atlanticbb.net

Youth Group: for all youth 6th grade and up. Meets every Sunday at 7 PM at Town Point.   Contact Megan for more information about youth activities.410-885-5641. (Weekly youth meetings are on summer break. See youth page for other updates)

Jr. Youth Group Wednesdays, 6:30 pm, @Town Point: activities for youth in grades 1 through 6. 
Led by Debbie Vogelsong twice a month. Call 410-885-2503. Wednesday, March 28, April 11, April 25, May 9, May 23.- delete these dates. Will ask Deb for more.

Parents of Teenagers Know Why Animals Eat their Young: This combination study and support group uses stories from Friedman's Fables to help parents understand Family Systems concepts in dealing with their teen children. The group is ongoing and open at any time.
Town Point, Sundays during Youth Group, 7pm, Leader: Jack Shitama (runs concurrent with youth group- on summer break)

Young Adult/High School Bible Study, Ages 15-25 Bible Study. 7 pm Wednesdays @ Trinity (summer break)

	Pastor Amy Bible Study When: Wednesdays—10:30 a.m. Where: Pastor Amy’s Office Led by: Pastor Amy (410-885-5641) Study scripture lessons for coming Sunday
	Good $ense When: Starting 3/28/2008 Where: Trinity Led by: Jim Prigel (410-275-8406) and Bud McKee (410-275-8629) A Christian based course on budgeting and personal finance. Jim & Bud will lead the study and share experiences on this important topic. Three 2-hour sessions.
	Earthlink When: To Be Announced Where: To Be Announced Led by: Ray Yarnall (410-398-8003) email: rayyarnall@gmail.com Weekly one-hour meetings and no pre-class work required.
	Faithlink When: To Be Announced Where: To Be Announced Led by: Ray Yarnall (410-398-8003) email: rayyarnall@gmail.com FaithLink is a study for use by individuals or groups who want to apply their beliefs to current faith issues and world events. This essential guide not only motivates Christians to consider their personal views on important contemporary issues, it also encourages them to act on their beliefs. Will be offered either Sunday or Thursday night—contact Ray with preference.
	Walk to Emmaus When: To Be Announced Where: To Be Announced Led by: Jodi Shitama at 410-275-1786; email: jshitama@baybroadband.net The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development ofThe Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The program's approach seriously considers the model of Christ's servanthood and encourages Christ's disciples to act in ways appropriate to being "a servant of all." Three-day retreat. Contact Jodi Shitama at 410-275-1786; email: jshitama@baybroadband.net
	Partnership in Prayer When: Wednesday for 6 weeks starting October 17 When: To Be Announced Led by: Carl Davis (410-885-5164) cpdavis@udel.edu. A six-week video-based study that is an invitation to communicate with God the Father who invites us into an eternal partnership through prayer.
	Serious Answers to Hard Questions Where: To Be Announced When: To Be Announced Led by: Ray Yarnall (410-398-8003) email: rayyarnall@gmail.com Life presents us with a lot of hard questions. In this thought-provoking and inspiring course, ten leading theologians address ten issues that are obstacles to faith for many both in and outside the church. Led by Ray Yarnall; offered either Sun. or Thurs. Contact Ray at 410-398-8003; rayyarnall@gmail.com with interest.
	Beginnings Where: Trinity United Methodist Church When: Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 26, 7:00 pm 6:30 p.m. Dinner; 7:00 p.m. Class begins Led by: Pastor Amy (410-885-5641) pastor@trinitytownpoint.com Beginnings is a twelve-week small group study about basic Christian beliefs. This study is intended for adults hungry for an intentional walk with God that encourages a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It targets inquirers, explorers, seekers, and new church members and is designed to begin where these adults are on their spiritual journey. In each two-hour session, participants will share a meal, watch a short video/DVD segment, develop the spiritual disciplines of Christian conversation and study of Scripture, engage in meaningful discussion and reflection, explore Christian faith and teachings, and grow in depth of experience through the small group. If you want to make a commitment to Christian Community (membership) this is a class for you.
	Your Personality Tree Where: To Be Announced When: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. Led by: Joann Jones (410-275-9126) jjones2340@dol.net This study by Florence Littauer will help you find peace that comes from discovering your true identity. Using the simple personality formula she introduced in her best selling Personality Plus, Florence probThis study by Florence Littauer will help you find peace that comes from discovering your true identity. Using the simple personality formula she introduced in her best selling Personality Plus, Florence probes deeper to show how family relationships and circumstances can mask your natural temperament.
	Covenant Discipleship Where: To Be Announced When: To Be Announced Led by: Pastor Amy (410-885-5641) email: pastor@trinitytownpoint.com Covenant Discipleship is a small-group ministry in the Wesleyan tradition. Groups meet weekly for one hour. The agenda is a covenant written by the group based upon the General Rule of Discipleship: To witness to Jesus Christ in the world and to follow his teachings through acts of compassion, justice, worship and devotion under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Through a process of mutual accountability and support for practicing the basics of Christian faith, members "watch over one another in love." Covenant Discipleship groups help to form people as dependable and mature disciples of Jesus Christ and leaders in discipleship. To become part of a group that fits your schedule, call Pastor Amy 410-885-5641; email: pastor@trinitytownpoint.com

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