GrowthGroupGuide

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New Series Journey to Life: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus Starting Feb. 14, many, but not all Growth Groups will be reading and discussing The Way:Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus by Adam Hamilton. The same themes will be highlighted in worship.

To sign up for a group use one of these methods:• On the bulletin tear-off• Online at www.moumc.org• At the Growth Group table in the Connector Sundays through Feb. 14.

Our Gift to You Each family unit or single person in the congregation will receive a Lenten devotional with 40 days of reflection based on the book The Way. This is our gift to you - a way to connect and go deeper into the series daily. Drop by the bookstore table in the Connector. (Please note the devotional book will replace the Growing Deeply Guide typically in the worship bulletin during Lent.)

Bookstore Opens Grab your books for the semester on any of the following Sundays Feb. 7 or 14 or Ash Wednesday Feb. 10.

Worship During LentAsh Wednesday Worship Feb. 10 at 6:30pmContemporary Worship Sundays at 10:30am During Lent, a contemporary worship experience for college-aged and young adults will be led by Rev. Kim Parker in the Chapel.

Holy Week Worship• Wednesday Night Live, March 23 (as usual)• Maundy Thursday, March 24 6:30pm• Good Friday, March 25 7pm• Easter Worship Sunday, March 27

at 6, 8, 8:50 and 11am

Grace, Pastor Charity

Charity Goodwin-Rosario, Pastor of Discipleship charity@moumc.org

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Your Guide toGrowth Groups

GG

What’s a Growth Group?• Growth Groups (GG) connect people, grow them spiritually, and are fun. • They are “sacred, welcoming spaces where individuals have the

opportunity to meet new people, make new friends, learn something new and grow spiritually.”

• They meet weekly, serve in worship and in community once a semester, and have a fun gathering at least once.

• Also, they are short term. Many Growth Groups start the week of Feb. 14 and end March 23.

GG at Wednesday Night LiveWhat makes Wednesdays special? In addition to a time that some Growth Groups meet, there is often pastoral teaching. This semester there will be a video teaching followed by either pastoral or lay comments. Here’s how it works:

• 5 – 6pm BYOD Bring your own dinner and eat with your group and others around tables in Whittler Hall

• 6 – 6:30pm Teaching Time (Large Group)• 6:30 – 7:30pm Growth Groups meet throughout the church (rooms will be

posted upon arrival) The Nursery is available and opportunities for children to connect with God and each other (see p. 10, “Ways for Kids to Grow”)

What Do Facilitators Do?Each GG has a facilitator. What is the role of a facilitator?

• Facilitators guide a discussion NOT have all the answers.• Facilitators are fellow learners NOT biblical scholars.• Facilitators love listening to people’s thoughts NOT lecturing and hearing

themselves speak.

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WNL Growth Groups & FacilitatorsGrowth Groups start Feb. 17All of the following groups will be studying from The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus.

Men’s GGFacilitators: Rick Hart & David BarnesThese guys believe it’s important for men to support each other on their faith journeys.

Everyone GGFacilitator: Tom WatkinsBest for people who are ready to examine what they believe, why they believe and make some decisions as to how their beliefs will guide their daily lives.

Everyone GGFacilitator: Terri WilliamsThis group will walk together in faith, deepen their spiritual practices and grow in our relationship to God and each other.

Everyone GGFacilitators: Elmer and Diana RevelleThis tag team works well together to create dynamic conversation in group.

GAP: Graduates & Young-ish Professionals GGFacilitator: Pastor CharityGather with those around your age to discuss, question and explore Jesus’ journey during Lent.

*Can’t make it Wednesdays but want to participate in a group?Turn to page 6 for other GGduring the week.

Wednesday Night WorkoutWednesdays @ 6:30pm in MPR Atrium Join us at the end of a long day as we get our joints moving and our blood flowing! Wear comfy clothes, bring an exercise mat and a bottle of water, and be ready to move! Drop in and join us any time!

GG

Choir Rehearsal For more information, contact Marty Hook, Director of Music, at marty@moumc.org.Agape Singers Choir Rehearsal Wednesdays @ 6:15pm in CLC 101 This choir rehearses to sing for the 8:50am Sunday worship service. Repertoire includes gospel, contemporary, and folk, usually accompanied by keyboards and drums. Chancel Choir Rehearsal Wednesdays @ 7:30pm in CLC 101This is an adult, mixed ensemble that provides primarily traditional choral literature for the 11am worship service. Wesleyan Ringers rehearsal on Tuesdays 6:30pm on 4th floor

SundaysAdult Bible Study (All Ages, Men & Women)Sundays @ 10-10:50am in CLC 107-109We share a passion for the Scriptures. Class includes shared prayer concerns, reading and discussion looking both at the Biblical context and the application of Scripture to our lives as Christians. We also serve local missions such as The Wardrobe and sometimes gather for lunch during the week. Facilitator: Julia Goodell, 875-1028, cf7cf7@gmail.com

CONNECT (All Ages, Men & Women) Sundays @ 10-10:50am in CLC 111 Join us as we discover how we can understand current events in relation to our Christian faith and United Methodist heritage. Facilitator: Karen Hayden, karenkhayden@gmail.com

Covenant (All Ages, Men & Women) Sundays @ 10-10:50am in CLC 108 The Covenant group is a free-wheeling discussion group based on Christian study and books. This semester Covenant will be exploring spiritual gifts as part of the Christian life.Facilitators: Lisa and Bruce Miles, bmiles1947@aol.com

Intro to the ChurchSundays @ 10-10:50am in CLC 110 starts Feb. 14There are five areas one commits to when becoming a Christian in the Methodist denomination. They are prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. If you are considering membership or just wanting to learn more, this group will be a great next step. We’ll be using the book A Disciple’s Path: Deepening Your Relationship with Christ and the Church by James HarnishFacilitator: Pastor Charity, charity@moumc.org

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Seekers (All Ages, Men & Women)Sundays @ 10-10:50am in Room 302This adult group fosters open thinking and works to provide meaningful faith development for each person. The class format generally involves a specific subject or area of study either from a book or video series on spiritual issues. There is always time for class discussion and questions. This spring the group will be studying John: The Gospel of Light and Life by Adam Hamilton. Facilitator: Mark Headley, headley5208@gmail.com

Groups During the Week*Older Adult GG Tuesdays @ 10am at Lenoir Woods, 3710 S Lenoir St, Columbia, MO 65201This group is open to resident and non residents alike. They will follow The Way study.Facilitator: Cynthia Beverly

Intro to the ChurchTuesdays @ 6pm in 302 starting Feb. 9Already starting to fill up with parents of youth, this group is an introduction to the United Methodist Church.There are five areas one commits to when becoming a Christian in the Methodist denomination. They are prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness. If you are considering membership or just wanting to learn more, this group will be a great next step. We’ll be using the book A Disciple’s Path:Deepening your Relationship with Christ and the Church by James Harnish. A pastor will make an appearance or two during the semester.Facilitator: Jill Arnold

Run for Your Life!Wednesdays @ 6am at the MKT trail off Stadium Blvd (MLK Park)Runners greet the day with running, conversation and discipleship. For more information, contact Rev. Trista Soendker Nicholson, trista@moumc.org.

Koinonia Fridays This group will study Falling Upward by Richard Rohr.Facilitator: Bill Allen

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Service OpportunitiesMissouri UMC is a church rich in service opportunities as we reach into our surrounding community and the global community. There are a variety of ways to be in mission and service – through small groups, all-church efforts and individual interest. Feel free to contact Rev. Trista Soendker Nicholson with any questions about missions and service opportunities at trista@moumc.org.

Spiritual Connections Let’s celebrate the joys of everyday life as part of our spirituality, interlacing fellowship, stillness, prayer and attentiveness to God. Opportunities to participate, such as a fellowship dinner, Advent event and Lenten event, will be announced throughout the year. For more information, please contact Debbie Luchenbill at dluchenbill@gmail.com or Terri Williams at twilliams003@centurytel.net.

United Methodist WomenFor more information, email Georgia Nolph, president of UMW, at nolphkg@gmail.com.

UMW CirclesUMW Circles gather for fellowship and support, pray together, and study and learn about the needs of and ministry with women and children around the world. The women of UMW also raise money and give their time and talents for mission.

Breakfast Group Circle 2nd Tuesday of the month @ 7:30am at Upper Crust, 3107 Green Meadows Way

Esther Circle 2nd Wednesday of the month @ 9:30am in room 302/303

Bratton-Cunningham Circle 3rd Wednesday of the month @ 9:30am at members’ homes

Searcy-Feely Circle 3rd Wednesday of the month (January-May and September-November) at 9:30am in the Parlor

Gibson Circle 3rd Thursday of the month @ 9:30am in CLC 106/108

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Wesley Circle 2nd Thursday of the month @ 1pm in the Parlor

Sophia Circle 2nd Thursday of the month @ 7pm in the members’ homes

Val’s Circle 3rd Thursday of the month @ 5:30pm at a downtown restaurant followed by a meeting and program at 6:30pm in the Parlor

Eagle Online Circle Anytime, all the time! A devotion is posted online weekly.

Monday Evening Book ClubFirst Mondays @ 7pm in members’ homesJoin us for fellowship and conversation as we share in reading a variety of books from various genres. This group also joins together in various service projects. For more info, contact Sondra Flaker at 443-3501 or Paula Donoho at 441-0023.

MUMC Book ClubSecond Wednesdays of odd-numbered months @ 10am in the MPR AtriumBooks are chosen by the group and lively conversation always ensues. For more info, contact Diane Fitzgerald at 4dfitz@gmail.com.

Prayer Shawl MinistrySecond Wednesdays of September, November, January, March, May @ 1:30pm in the ParlorThis group exists to knit/crochet prayer shawls for people in our church and the community to provide warmth and comfort to those who receive them. We ask everyone in our church family to let us know when someone would like to receive a prayer shawl. For more information, contact Betty Dillard at dillardb@missouri.edu.

QuiltersThursdays in Room 303Anyone interested in hand-quilting is welcome to join us as we quilt and fellowship together. We charge for hand quilting and all proceeds are donated to UMW mission projects. For more information, contact Lauri Murphy at laurimurphy@centurytel.net.

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Recovery Support GroupsThe church offers space to these groups which are independently facilitated.

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Ways for Kids to GrowChildren are invited to grow in their faith in many ways at MUMC.

SundaysWorship, Children’s Church and Serendipity ChoirSundays @ 8:50am in the Chapel Children participate with their families in worship and then can be dismissed to Children’s Church and choir. If families wish for children to remain in worship, Children’s worship bags are available with activities to help them connect to worship.

Whittler Treehouse Early Childhood Ministry, Studio K-5Sundays @ 10amChildren begin in age-level classrooms, move to a large group video lesson and return to small groups to participate in active learning.

WorshipSundays @ 11am in the Sanctuary Children are invited to participate in worship. Children’s worship bags are available with activities to help them connect to worship.

Grace Notes ChoirSundays @ 6pm in the Chapel Children in grades 2 – 5 learn together through music.

Wednesday Night LiveSerendipity ChoirWednesdays @ 6pm in W6 Children through 1st grade learn together through song and movement.

Faith ExpressionsWednesdays @ 6pm in the Chapel Children 2nd – 5th grade spend time growing relationships with each other through prayer, discussion and play.

College Age & Young Adult MinistryWe invite you to join us as we learn, serve, worship, pray and wrestle with spiritual questions together. Would you like to know more about our opportunities? Contact Rev. Kim Parker at parker@moumc.org.

Weekly Activities Contemporary Worship Sundays at 10:30am During Lent, a contemporary worship experience will be led by Rev. Kim Parker in the Chapel.

Tuesday Nights at 7:30pm Find us in the Cornerstone Coffee Shop (inside the church) for an informal time of study and worship.

Wednesday Night Live Bible Study There is a variety of options for faith information.

Sunday Worship Services Worship in a traditional service at 8, 8:50 or 11am

Youth ActivitiesSundaysSunday School on Sundays at 10am On Sunday mornings we offer two Sunday school classes, one for middle school in room 306 (6-8 grades) and one for high school in room 307 (9-12 grades). Classes focus on Bible study and life application.

Sunday Night MUMY on Sundays at 5pm in the Youth Room A gathering of 6-12 graders that includes dinner, worship, small group discussion and games.

Acolytes on Sundays at the 8:50am and 11am services Youth serving as Acolytes is an important part of developing leadership within our youth program.

Wednesday Night Live

Youth Bible Study on Wednesdays at 6pm in room 307

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GrowthGroups

Adult MinistriesFall 2015

204 S. Ninth St. Columbia MO 65201contact.us@moumc.org

443-3111

www.moumc.org/MissouriUMC

Three ways to register for Growth Groups:• On the tear-off in the bulletin• Online at www.moumc.org• At the Growth Group table in the Connector on

Sunday mornings through Feb. 14