We at First UCM-Denton are graced with many small groups that enable us to grow through Bible study and spiritual formation, to build community and fellowship together, and to explore a diverse range of study, service and prayer opportunities. Small Group Ministry extends the connection of church and community members beyond the scope of Sunday morning classes.
The purpose of Small Groups Ministry is to provide a caring, sharing and supportive fellowship for discovering and growing in your Christian life. Small groups are an essential part of any growing church community, and they provide a place of care, concern, accountability, and fellowship that is hard to find in the larger body of the church. Whether camping, traveling, quilting, crafting or studying the Bible or other books, we hope that you will find a group that meets your needs.
Small groups offerings usually change seasonally, with the bulk of the groups beginning during the Fall. January and June are also popular start times for these small groups, meeting either at the church or members’ homes on days other than Sunday.
Four ways to register:
Leader: Kake Nations
Day/Time:
Cost: $37 for manual
Disciple 1 Bible Study is a foundational study in which you will have an overview of the story of God’s plan for the world from creation to revelation. This is an opportunity to read through the Bible in the company of a prepared leader and the companionship of other learners.
Leaders: Pat Peters & Rhonda Clark
Day/Time:
Cost: $37 for manual
Disciple 2 Bible Study presents 8 sessions on each of the books of Genesis, Exodus, Luke, and Acts. Disciple 1 is a prerequisite.
Leader: Gloria Thomas
Day/Time:
Cost: $40 for manual
Christian Believer focuses on the classical teaching of the Christian faith. Participants will examine the writings of ancient and modern Christian writers and view video presentations by leading Bible scholars. Disciple 1 is a prerequisite.
Leader: Rick Williamson
Day/Time: Sundays, 6:30-7:45 pm
Dates: September 12-October 10
The class will explore how the history and environment of each of the seven churches informed the message to the particular church. Learn how each message is a practical and understandable evaluation of each church that encourages spiritual change to depend more on the grace of God in everyday corporate church life. Hear what the Spirit says to the churches, while trying to hear what the Spirit is saying to you, as the reader, about your life.
Leader: Rev. Deana Ferguson
Day/Time: Sundays 5:30-7 pm
Cost: $7 (The Way of the Child Family Guide)
A 28-week Bible study for children 1st-5th Grade. The Way of the Child recognizes that children have an innate spirituality with a natural acceptance of mystery, an amazing capacity for awe, a vital imagination, a longing to be their unique selves, and an ability to be open to and receive God's love. The Way of the Child takes seriously and joyfully children's capacities, deep needs, and spirits, leads children into a deeper relationship with God , instills in children spiritual practices to form lifelong habits, encourages children to respond to God in awe, helps children embrace all of life, responding to God's call, provides an experience of vital community.
A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived, by Rob Bell
Leader: Rev. Matt Gaston
Day/Time: Mondays, 7:00 p.m.
Dates: September 19 & 26
Cost: Price of book for reading prior to class
A discussion-geared class comparing and contrasting Bell's notions of heaven, hell and salvation with other lines of thought including United Methodist.
Leader: Georgianne Burlage
Day/Time: 3rd Tuesday of the month, 6:30–8 p.m.
Dates: September 20, October 18, November 15
Cost: Cost of each month’s book (usually $5-$10)
Join other avid readers as we discuss the best of Christian fiction. First title: Gone to Green by Judy Christie. Future book titles will be determined by participants throughout the fall.
Leader: Joe Carbonaro
Day/Time: Sundays, 11 a.m.
Dates: September 11-October 16
Cost: $15 for class materials
This six week class is for the person who has experienced the loss of a significant relationship through divorce or death. Healing is a choice. To be willing to say “I choose to heal” is to be willing to grow through whatever it takes to see change completed. So welcome to the journey of Beginning Again. Laugh often, and receive God’s promises that you can be redeemed and joy can be received.
Leader/Facilitator: Tim Crouch
Day/Time: 3rd Sunday of each month, 6:00 p.m.
Dates: September - May
Cost: None
Join Tim Crouch in his study and preparation for General Conference 2012. Tim was elected by the North Texas Conference as one of 6 lay persons to represent our conference at General Conference, April 25-May 4, in Tampa, Florida. The General Conference rewrites the Discipline every 4 years. This course will study and discuss the issues facing the United Methodist Church at this General Conference including: reorganization of the church structure as outlined in the Call to Action Report, the report on the worldwide nature of the Church, controversial issues that come before the conference every quadrennium, election of Bishops for the South Central Jurisdiction, and more.
Leaders: Ken and Jan Dickson, Tim and Celia Williamson
Day/Time
Cost: $10 per person for camping fees, and the cost of food
Get up close and personal with God’s Creation through an introductory 2 night backpacking experience. Two sessions in October will prepare us for the adventure both physically and theologically. Then we’ll gather on Friday evening, November 13, at Elm Fork Ranch on the edge of the Greenbelt for a two-day backpacking experience. This is open to all ages—families, singles, couples. For those without backpack equipment, we’ll help you to locate equipment to rent or borrow..
Leader: Joe Carbonaro
Day/Time: Sundays, 5:00 pm
Dates: September 18 - October 23
Money has great power in our lives. Enough is an invitation to rediscover the Bible’s wisdom when it comes to prudent financial practices. In these pages are found the keys to experiencing contentment, overcoming fear, and discovering joy through simplicity and generosity. This book could change your life, by changing your relationship with money.
Leader: Christopher Johnson
Day/Time: Sundays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Dates: August 21-November 13
Cost: $99 (per individual or couple)
You can come by yourself, bring your significant other, or bring the whole family. Child care is available for the young ones while older kids and teens can gain a great deal at their young age by participating and learning about how we can be good stewards of our financial gifts. That’s what Financial Peace University is all about learning some promising practices for being good stewards of the money we earn—as opposed to our money. The principles Dave Ramsey teaches align with the more than 700 scriptures in the Bible about financial stewardship. For more information, visit Dave’s website.
Day/Time: Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m.
Cost: None
Dates/Topics/Leaders:
Connect with experts in various fields who will share their wealth of knowledge and experience. Be prepared for 1-2 hours of class time per session. Participants will help determine specific topics to be covered.
Leader: Bob Harris
Day/Time: Sundays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Dates: September 11-November 13
Cost: $12 for materials
This is one of several sequels to the basic Companions in Christ course. This nine-week study in this series explores the Gospel of John and how divine grace continues to work in our lives
Leaders: Risa Crews & Barbara Reynolds
Day/Time: Mondays, 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Dates: October 3-November 21
Cost: None, participants provide their own copy of The Thirteen Apostles by J. Ellsworth Kalas (approximately $12).
Interesting character studies, lively discussion, and light refreshments combine to make the Monday Women’s Study Group--the perfect start to each new week.
Leader: Wilma Reinhardt
Day/Time: Thursday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Dates: September 8-October 27
Cost: $10
Place: Wilma’s Workshop
This is an opportunity to discover the fun of working with stained glass as a hobby or art. New persons are welcomed to observe and try this art form. Experienced persons are also encouraged to come, contribute their expertise, and get back into glass work.
Leader: Donna Gregory
Day/Time: Third Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Dates: September through May
Cost: None
Supplies: Each person provides personal scrapbooking supplies and materials.
For anyone interested in having a special time and place to gather with like-minded friends to work on preserving your family’s photo memories.
Day/Time: Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-12 noon
Date: November 5, 2011
Get a taste of making music of your own. From handbells and recorders to guitar and singing, participants get hands-on opportunities to make music. We’ll learn some basic (but familiar) songs and then perform for each other at the conclusion of the morning. Designed for adults & teens interested in music but with little or no musical experience.
Wednesday evenings, 6:00-8:00 pm
Room 240 (Art Room)
A creative opportunity for creative children, youth and adults, who will be creating props, decorations, etc. for our new Family Worship service beginning in Advent based on the Scripture for each service. We will meet and create with whatever supplies we can find in the Resource Room or in the Lost and Found. Feel free to bring your own supplies as well.
Leader: Children’s Ministry Council
Day/Time: Varies
Cost: $20 (Supplies and T-Shirt)
Imagine spy music playing in the background and "agents" as young as 7-years-old being assigned top secret missions. Mission Possible Kids, encourages children to "change the world" through community service. We will be meeting monthly at different times based on the service projects we do each month.