Adult Study &
Spiritual Growth Opportunities

Our Groups and Classes Meet All Week Long...

Upcoming Adult Ed Opportunities:
We have some great Adult Education Opportunities coming/continuing this fall.

Sunday Evening Adult Study Group – 5-6:30 pm – Church Library

“Unbinding Your Heart: 40 Days of Faith Sharing.”  This book by Martha Grace Reese is part of her “Real Life Evangelism” series, which represents 4 years of Lilly Endowment-funded research into mainline churches (much like ours) that are thriving, growing and changing – not stagnating, declining, or dying.  Her findings showed that the healthiest churches help members develop an active life of prayer, reach out to love and serve others, and learn to articulate and share their own faith beliefs.  If you can join us for this 6-week study series – which includes an opportunity to work with a partner on a 40-day prayer journal – please let the church office know so that a book can be ordered for you. “Unbinding Your Heart" costs $15, and books are expected to arrive between Feb. 21 and 26.  Discussion will be Sundays, February 26 through April 1.

NO Sunday night adult study, Feb. 5, Feb. 12, or Feb. 19.

Monday AM Women’s Group – 9:30-11 am – Church Library
The Monday Morning Women’s Group will be studying contemporary issues such as social programs, education, reproductive rights, war and military spending, and phobias & prejudice using some essays from William Sloane Coffin’s book The Heart is a Little to the Left, the local & world news, and the Bible.  Begins Monday, January 23rd.

We understand that some others of you may be interested in “tackling these topics” from a faith perspective.  If you are and would like to find an alternative time to meet and discuss please speak with Pastor Jen (203-775-1259 or jennifer@uccb.org).

Thursday AM Prayers & Bible Study – 9-10:30 am year-round – Church Library
This group prays with intention for those who have been added to our ongoing list of prayer concerns and joys. Following prayer time, the group studies the lectionary scriptures for the coming week.

Men’s Fellowship – Saturdays 8-9 am year-round – Fellowship Hall
Working with a rotating set of leaders/teachers, topics, and chefs this group of men gathers to eat, talk, learn, and share their faith. All men welcome!
 

Copies of Books from our Recent Book Studies are available in the Church Library to borrow.  Those titles include:

The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg
Love Wins by Rob Bell
29 Gifts: How a Month of Giving Can Change Your Life by Cami Walker
Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom
The Faith Club: A Muslim, a Christian, a Jew - Three Women Search for Understanding by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver, and Priscilla Warner
Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
Advent Conspiracy: Can Christmas Still Change the World by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, and Greg Holder
Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World: Finding Intimacy With God in the Busyness of Life by Joanna Weaver

Other Recent Studies Include:
The Shack by William Young
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Noticer: Sometimes All a Person Needs is a Little Perspective by Andy Andrews
Having a Mary Spirit in a Martha World: Allowing God to Change Us from the Inside Out by Joanna Weaver
How to Talk So Teens Will Listen and Listen So Teens Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

Too busy for a weekly class?

Try these on-line spiritual exercises to revive your soul...

For a chance to learn about various visualizations, meditations and prayer practices to heal your spiritual exhaustion, renew your faith, and help you better understand what type of prayer best connects you to your source in God - explore some quiet, centering prayer  exercises on your own. This on-line curriculum draws on the work of Rev. Flora Slosson Wuellner and her book Feed My Shepherds:  Spiritual Healing and Renewal for Those in Christian Leadership.  

If you would like more information, click here, or speak to one of our pastors at 203-775-1259 or e-mail the church at office@uccb.org.

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