Advent Small Group Study. Imagine Jesus from Mary s point of view proud of her son, in awe of his gifts and mission, and guided by love for him as a

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1 Advent Small Group Study. Imagine Jesus from Mary s point of view proud of her son, in awe of his gifts and mission, and guided by love for him as a person. In this DVD-based study, Adam Hamilton begins at the end, with Mary at the crucifixion and resurrection; travels back in time as she witnesses his life and ministry; and ends at the beginning, with the Christ child born in a stable, Mary s beautiful baby. This year, experience Advent and Christmas with Mary. Join facilitator Bill Gnegy (billgnegy@hotmail.com, ) in this powerful and memorable five-week Advent study, featuring a study guide and DVD by Adam Hamilton, senior pastor of The Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. Hamilton is a master at explaining difficult questions of faith in a down-to-earth way. 1

2 This group will meet beginning November 15 on Sunday evenings (except November 29) from 6:00-7:30 in the Conference Room. Growing in Christ. Anthem Bible Group #2. The Anthem Bible Group #2 meets in the homes of group members in the Anthem Ranch Community on the first and third Wednesdays at 10 a.m. The group chooses a book to study and discuss each semester, beginning each meeting with time to socialize and enjoy light refreshments. Discussions and Bible readings tend to be topical, with guidance for our lives as Christians. Members welcome those who would like to study Bible-related topics in an informal setting while making new church friends! Contact Marv Truhe at or marvtruhe@aol.com for more information. Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Business Coaching Group for Business Owners and Executives. Are you seeking insight, knowledge, and fellowship to grow your business and achieve your goals for time, team, and profitability? If so, then consider joining a new group for Christian businesspeople sponsored by BUMC. FocalPoint Business Coach Jim Hall will lead this informal group to discuss topics such as Power Principles, Goal Setting, Wealth Creation, Strategic Planning, Leadership, Delegation, Communication, and Time Management. Lunch and learn sessions begin in September. Contact Jim at jhall@focalpointcoaching.com or Exploring Christ/Growing in Christ Cards by God is a crafting group that meets at the church on the first and third Thursdays of every month from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. We design handmade greeting cards for many ministries, both within BUMC as well as those outside its walls. We are always open to new members and invite anyone interested to join us. If you are a seasoned paper-crafter, we welcome new ideas and techniques. If you ve never attempted paper-crafting, we welcome you as well and will show you easy step-by-step guides on how to make beautiful handmade cards. Please contact Carolyn McKoy at gct.mckoy@comcast.net or Terri Kalmbach at Terri.Kalmbach@gmail.com for further information. Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Caregiver Support Group. Taking care of aging parents, a spouse with dementia, or children with special needs can be stressful and confusing. Are you serving in a caregiver role within your family? Sharing with others in a support group can be helpful. BUMC s caregivers connect, tell their stories, and share needs and resources in our new Caregiver Support Group. The group meets the first and third Tuesday of each month, 6:00 7:30 p.m. Most fall meetings will be in the Conference Room. If you would like to participate, please drop in to the next meeting or contact Elsa Fuhrer at or cefuhrer@aol.com. Don t hesitate to reach out for the support you need! Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Christian History Series: Scriptural Interpretation. Christians of all walks of life continue to experience deep divisions over universal social issues, but the root of many debates is how we understand the nature of Scripture and interpret it. The world s bestselling, most-read, and most-loved book is also one of the most confusing. Our next Christian History Series addresses the hot-button issues that plague the church and cultural debate, and answers many of the questions frequently asked by Christians and non-christians alike. Did God really command Moses to put gay people to death? Did Jesus really teach that everyone who is not a Christian will be assigned to hell? Why would Paul command women to keep silent in the church? Were Adam and Eve real people? Is the book of Revelation really about the end times? Who decided which books made it into the Scriptures and why? Is the Bible ever wrong? In this course we will addresses these often misunderstood biblical themes, leading to a deeper appreciation of the Bible so that we might hear God speak through it and find its words to be life-changing. Join Dave Lockley for this four-week series on Scriptural interpretation on Wednesdays, September 9-30, at 7 p.m. in Room 201. Contact Dave Lockley at david.r.lockley@gmail.com or if you would like to participate! Growing in Christ/Close to Christ 2

3 Christ in the Caribbean. This new group is designed to bring together people interested in reaching out with Christian love to our brothers and sisters in Haiti. The purpose is to learn more about Haiti and to find FUN ways to promote and provide for the Living Water Mission and beyond. If you are interested in studying some of the ways in which we can help to raise up the people in and around Ouanaminthe, Haiti, this group is for you! This may mean a commitment to be a Mission Team Member, or researching ways in which we can give assistance to Haiti during the Spring trips. You may want to be an advocate for sponsoring students from Institution Univers, or you might like to share your fund-raising or grantwriting experience. And some members will be part of the Home Team helping with information tables and fundraising events, and lifting up Haiti missions in prayer. The Christ in the Caribbean Group will meet a minimum of once a quarter but may need to meet more often around events and mission trips. If you join, plan on attending quarterly meetings. Your overall time commitment will be based upon projects you choose to support. To participate or learn more, contact Michael Rowley at x11 or michael@metro-logic.com. Close to Christ/Christ-Centered Contemplative Practices and Today s Christian. Be still and know that I am God. And yet, how many of us know how to do this? For most, our days are steeped in busy-ness and constant stimulation, working at fast-forward speed only to collapse in exhaustion at the end of the day. We have very few habits that encourage balance between these extremes. Join us Monday evenings as we explore three different contemplative spiritual practices, cornerstones of stillness across the globe: healing breath (September), meditation (October), and contemplative art (November). We will learn some of the history behind each practice in conjunction with relative Christian themes, then experience them first-hand. Naturally compatible with daily payer life and scripture-reading, these practices may be just the inspiration you ve been looking for to make replenishing stillness your new best habit! Each practice will be explored for three weeks on the second through fourth Mondays, 7:00 8:30 p.m. You may register for one, two, or all three courses. Contact Michelle Howard at mahluna@yahoo.com for information or to register! Exploring Christ/Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Disciples of Christ Group: Book of Revelation Study. The Disciples of Christ is an engaging and accepting group of men and women who enjoy in-depth Bible study. Using William Barclay s New Daily Study Bible commentaries, the group is studying Revelation, the last book of the Bible. The group covered the seven letters in the Spring, and will be getting into the meat of Revelation in the fall. Now is a great time to join the study if you want to learn more about this fascinating and puzzling book! This Bible study group is centered upon growing close to Christ by sharing open discussions and praying for one another. All adults are welcome to participate! Meetings are Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in the Conference Room; the cost is $11.50 for the Revelation commentary. Contact Frank Oligmueller at folyloly@comcast.net or to participate or drop in anytime! Close to Christ/Christ- Centered Divorce Care Ministry. The Divorce Care Ministry is designed to give support to those going through a divorce or seeking wholeness and hope for the future following a divorce. This safe and caring environment provides a place for healing to take place. The group meets for 13 weeks on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Rooms 106 and 201 beginning September 9. The course includes video presentations, readings, and confidential discussion. The cost is $15.00 per person for the workbook. For more information or to register, contact Shahni at or sshirazi4@gmail.com. Exploring Christ/Growing in Christ/Close to Christ 3

4 Dream Workshop. Dreams can offer us a glimpse of ourselves that is often lost in the demand and noise and demands of our waking activities. The Bible contains hundreds of dreams that God used to reach his people, but how do we make sense of them? This class offers a forum to talk to each other about our dreams: What messages they might have for us, and in particular, how to use them to move closer to God. The format is conversational and informal, with no expertise about dreams necessary. We will simply be a mirror for each other, using what rings true with an "aha," and being grateful for each member s efforts. If you would like to participate in this group, contact Dave Morgan at or tknofob1@comcast.net. He will work with those who are interested to schedule a convenient day and time to meet. Exploring Christ/Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Empty Nesters. The Empty Nesters Class is a Sunday morning group, comprised mostly of retirees, that enjoys lively discussions on a wide variety of spiritual and biblical topics. The group engages in studies based upon books and DVDs by popular Christian authors, reflecting upon God s nature and work in our lives. Discussions are both spiritual and practical, and the group also enjoys occasional social activities. The group s August study is Vanishing Grace: Whatever Happened to the Good News, by Philip Yancey. The next study will be on the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5. Members will pick additional topics for later in the fall. Meetings are Sundays at 9:45 a.m. in Room 203 and you are welcome to visit anytime. Contact Bob Vaughan at bobjvaughan@yahoo.com or for more information or to join the group. Growing in Christ/Close to Christ/Christ-Centered Erie Neighborhood Group. Several couples are building Christian community among BUMC families who live in Erie and surrounding towns, a group to develop friendships, share life, and encourage each other in our spiritual journeys. The Erie Group normally meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, 7-8:30 p.m. Members take turns hosting at each other s homes. The group is finishing up the Twelve Ordinary Men study and looking to start another in September or October, so now is a great time to join! Please contact David or Karen at dkrice88@outlook.com or if you want to join! Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Exploring Our Faith. Exploring Our Faith is a group designed for adults to understand the doctrinal roots and theological beliefs of Christianity. The group, designed for people who want to move toward mature faith in Christ, engages in Bible and doctrinal studies. Members choose the topics, and the group is currently studying the Letters of James and Peter, using William Barclay s New Daily Study Bible. Barclay s commentaries feature daily Bible readings followed by insightful commentary, and the group plans to continue studying the New Testament with these commentaries. Future topics may include Wesleyan beliefs and theological books by Christian authors. Exploring Our Faith meets on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. in Room 203 starting September 3. If you would like to participate, contact Marv Truhe at or marvtruhe@aol.com. Close to Christ/Christ- Centered Faith Links. The Faith Links Class is a group that links faith and life through biblical and topical studies and discussions. The group has a fascinating fall line-up of topics. During August, Dave Lockley is leading a series on different approaches used for interpreting the Bible. Then in September and early October, Myrna Prentice will lead a series on Happiness. And The Rebel Jesus is the theme October 18 November 15. Faith Links meets at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays in the Conference Room and is open to everyone who wants to explore how our faith links to personal and societal issues. Join Faith Links for Bible study and lively, relevant discussions, as well as warm fellowship! For more information or to join, contact Diane Johnson at dianeetsuko@gmail.com. If you prefer, drop in anytime and try it out! Growing in Christ/Close to Christ 4

5 Focus on Fitness. Get your body in shape and refresh your mind and spirit with exercise routines set to contemporary Christian music. One-hour sessions include warm-up, stretching, aerobics, toning, and cool-down. This group is perfect for all body types and levels of fitness. No charge! Join us Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the Family Life Center. Contact Sue Lyon, or for more information or to join! Exploring Christ/Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Friday Friends. Friday Friends is a caring group of women of all ages, meeting for community and Bible study during the school year. The group s meeting time is Friday mornings from 9:30-11:15 in the Conference Room at the church. Join them for their fall study starting on Friday, September 11. You'll come away encouraged by the in-depth Bible study and supportive fellowship in Christ! Childcare is available for Friday Friends with a reservation. Contact Vicki Cromarty at or Vicki.cromarty@broomfieldumc.org with any questions or to arrange childcare. Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Homebuilders. Homebuilders will continue to meet this fall at 9:45 a.m. every Sunday in Room 106. The group plans to kick off the fall on Sunday, September 13 with a Lord s Prayer study. Homebuilders is always open to visitors, guests and new members. Please consider trying out the Homebuilders this fall! For more information, contact Doug Demmel at demmeldoug@msn.com. You re welcome to drop in and visit any Sunday! Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Men s Wednesday Bible Study: Invitation to John. The Men s Bible Study will kick off the fall with a study of the Gospel of John starting September 2. This 11-session Disciple Bible Study explores the message, background, and impact of the Fourth Gospel. Join this dynamic group on Wednesdays at 8:00 a.m. in Room 201. The group is open to men of all ages, and several members rotate leading discussions on different weeks. Group members choose study topics. Contact Fred Brown at or readyfbrown@comcast.net or Marv Eakes at for more information. The cost for the study guide is $10. Come as you are able and enjoy breakfast food and coffee. If you enjoy open discussion of topics out of the Bible, this group is for you! Grow in your understanding of the Bible and your relationship with God! Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Men s Saturday Morning Bible Study. On Saturdays from 7 9 a.m., men meet in Room 201 to obtain a better understanding of the complete Bible. Over coffee the group seeks to explore the historical meanings and current applications of biblical passages. The group chooses a book of the Bible to study, and all members are welcome to express their opinions as they participate in discussions, taking as long as necessary to get through the book. Following Bible study, members of the group express their prayer concerns confidentially. Breakfast is served on the second Saturday of each month. If you are looking for an accepting, open men s group built on mutual faith and trust, you are welcome to come and share in the Men s Saturday Morning Bible Study. Contact Bernie Mills at or berniemills75@gmail.com for more information. Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Misunderstood God Group. The Misunderstood God Group is a unique group for people who want to understand God s nature more deeply from a biblical perspective and make Christ the center of their lives. Do you want to grow in understanding God s character and the Scriptures. Do you want to follow Christ and grow close to him? If you are looking for a safe place to explore those questions openly, consider joining the Misunderstood God group! This dynamic group is continuing to discuss Brian McLaren s book, Naked Spirituality: A Life with God in 12 Simple Words, which explores the various seasons of our spiritual lives. Meetings are on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall and all are welcome. For more information or to join, please contact facilitator Thomas Cross at or thomas.cross@broomfieldumc.org. Close to Christ/Christ-Centered 5

6 Monday Night Men. The Monday Night Men s Group meets twice a month for discussion, fellowship, and prayer in an open, accepting atmosphere. Members read and discuss a book by a Christian author, covering one or two chapters each session. The group meets on the second Monday (in Room 203) and the fourth Monday (in the Conference Room) at 6:30 p.m. The Monday Night Men s Group is a warm, honest fellowship with deep, insightful discussions of spiritual books. Members of the group decide on the books they study; the current book is The Power of Right Believing, by Joseph Prince. The men always welcome new members! Contact Thomas at or Thomas.cross@broomfieldumc.org to join the group! Growing in Christ/Close to Christ NAMI Family-to-Family Course. This 12-week course is taught by a team of trained NAMI family member volunteers and emphasizes education, skills, empathy and self care for family members who have a relative suffering with a severe mental illness. The goal of Family-to-Family is to guide family members towards greater emotional understanding, healing, insight and action by providing information and by introducing families to an empathetic community. Over 300,000 people in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Italy have completed this course. For more information and registration, please contact Elizabeth Stahl at elzmcg@me.com. The Broomfield course is offered at no charge on Sunday evenings, September 13 to November 23 at Discovery Church, and is co-sponsored by the BUMC Mental Health Team. Growing in Christ Prayer Shawl Ministry. Do you enjoy knitting or crochet? Use your talents to bless others! The Prayer Shawl Ministry meets the first Thursday of each month in Room 201, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Knitted or crocheted shawls are made to be given to church members, friends, family, and others who need encouragement and prayer support. Join us for fellowship, tips on knitting and lots of laughter! Contact June Todd at or todd.june@yahoo.com. Growing in Christ/Close to Christ/Christ- Centered Singles Fellowship. The Singles Fellowship meets monthly for dinner at local restaurants in the area, enjoying great conversation and all kinds of food. Here s the schedule for fall: The group will meet at Village Tavern on Sunday, August 23 at 6:30 p.m. September s gathering is at Quaker Steak and Lube on Tuesday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. Then the Singles will meet at East Moon Asian Bistro on Sunday, October 25 at 6:30 p.m. The group will celebrate the holidays on Wednesday, December 9 at 6:30 p.m. at 3 Sons Italian in Arvada. Contact Thomas at or Thomas.cross@broomfieldumc.org to join the group and receive updates. Single adults of all ages are welcome! Exploring Christ/Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Stephen Ministry Training Course. Stephen Leaders will soon begin interviewing candidates to be trained as new Stephen Ministers. Training sessions meet weekly for 2.5 hours. After that, we meet twice each month for Continuing Education and Supervision in small groups for two hours. All training materials are provided free of charge. Stephen Ministers volunteer to work alongside our pastors to care for people who are going through difficult times, such as divorce, grief, hospitalization, unemployment, terminal illness, relocation, chronic illness, or loneliness. Trainees receive 50 hours of specialized training in Christian caregiving. They participate in a team of active Stephen Ministers to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care to people experiencing a crisis. Each Stephen Minister meets weekly with a care receiver for around an hour to listen, care, encourage, pray, and provide emotional and spiritual support. Caring relationships last for as long as the person s need persists. If you have gifts for caring, encouragement, and listening, please prayerfully consider whether you might want to be part of this exciting ministry. For more information, contact Bill Pelham at (303) or Judy McGoogan at (303) Close to Christ/Christ-Centered 6

7 Theology on Tap for Men. Theology on Tap is an opportunity for men to discuss biblical and theological questions from a biblical perspective in an informal atmosphere. The group meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in a local brewpub for good conversation over appetizers and beverages. Fall meetings are set for Tuesdays, August 25 (Westminster Brewing), September 22 (Gravity), October 27 (Nighthawk), and November 24 (TBA). Bring your questions, insights, and your Bible! To join the Theology on Tap list for meeting reminders, contact Thomas Cross ( ; thomas.cross@broomfieldumc.org). All men 21 and over are welcome to participate! Exploring Christ/Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Theology on Tap Plus! Theology on Tap Plus provides both women and men an opportunity to discuss theological questions and enjoy good fellowship in an informal atmosphere. The group will normally meet monthly on the first Monday at 7:30 p.m. in a local brewpub for good conversation over appetizers and beverages. Fall meetings are set for Mondays, October 5 (Gravity Brewing), November 2, and December 7 (no meeting on Labor Day). Bring your questions, insights, and your Bible! To RSVP or to join the TOT Plus list for meeting reminders and locations, contact Thomas Cross at or thomas.cross@broomfieldumc.org. All adults are welcome! Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Theology on Tap Sunday. Theology on Tap Sunday is a new group for women and men to discuss theological questions and enjoy informal fellowship. The group will normally meet monthly on the third Sunday evening at 6:15 p.m. at Big Choice Brewing, located at 7270 W 118th Place in Broomfield, for good conversation over beverages. Join us right after the 505 Service to build friendships, talk about sermons, and discuss our faith! Fall meetings are set for these Sundays: September 20, October 18, November 15, and December 20. Bring your questions, sermon observations, other insights, and your Bible! To RSVP or to join the TOT Sunday list for meeting reminders and locations, contact Thomas Cross (thomas.cross@broomfieldumc.org or ). Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Touchstones of Grief. Have you recently lost a loved one? Do you desire to understand the grief process and be supported by others? The Touchstones of Grief class and grief support group begins on Tuesday, September 8 at 1:30 p.m. in the BUMC Conference Room. Educational discussions and the small group interactions are designed to help participants learn about grief and mourning and take steps to integrate their loss -- old or new -- into their new, forever changed, life. The course is 12 sessions and will conclude before the holidays. Resource materials are provided. Please call Lin at for further information or to register. Exploring Christ/Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Tuesday Morning Glories. Tuesday Morning Glories will study What Love Is, The Letters of 1, 2, 3 John by Kelly Minter. Here is how Kelly describes this DVD-based study: John anchors us with truth in a culture that has lost its way. He separates light from darkness, offers community for loneliness and rest for our striving. Throughout his letters, John gives us the ultimate gift of assurance: We can know that we know Jesus. This eight-week study will start on Tuesday, September 15 and finish on November 3. The group meets in the Fellowship Hall on Tuesdays from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. Following this series, the group plans a four-week Advent/Christmas study (to be determined) running November 10 December 8 (no meeting the Tuesday before Thanksgiving). All women are welcome to participate in this dynamic group. For more information or to register, contact Elaine Batten at or battenco@msn.com. Growing in Christ/Close to Christ/Christ-Centered United Methodist Women. The Broomfield United Methodist Women sponsor seven different Circles, which function as Small Groups devoted to fellowship, learning, and service. Most Circles meet once a month, except for the Viola-Lois Circle, which meets twice monthly on the first and third Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. for Bible Study and fellowship. The United Methodist Women also sponsor a Young Women s Group, which meets for fellowship on the first Monday of each month. In addition, the United Methodist Women sponsor several general events throughout the year which are open to all women. To find the right Circle for you, call Diann Eason, President, at ! Growing in Christ/Close to Christ 7

8 We Make the Road by Walking Broomfield Home Group. Want to connect more deeply with some spiritual companions? Searching for new vitality and a fresh way to experience and practice your faith? Seeking a safe place for learning and growth? We are forming a small group using Brian McLaren s book, We Make the Road by Walking. Together members of this new group will journey through an overview of the whole Bible and explore what difference an honest, living, growing faith can make in our world today. This home-based group will meet on Thursday nights in Broomfield, share a meal, and read and interact with the Bible and a short lesson from McLaren. This group is for people who have never read the Bible before, as well as experienced Bible-studiers, for people who feel out of place in a church and for long-time church goers. Everyone is welcome! Copies of the book are available at the Small Groups tables or from Thomas for $11.50 (payable to BUMC). For more information or to check out the group, contact Linda Freund at lindafreund@comcast.net or Exploring Christ/Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Wednesday Women s Bible Study. The Wednesday Women s Bible Study will focus upon Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy, using the DVD series by Beth Moore. Join the group for a faithbuilding study of prophecy and learn how to live with integrity in today's self-absorbed society. The prophet Daniel faced unbelievable pressures to compromise his faith, to live in a hostile culture, and to confront temptations and threats. Today, believers in Jesus Christ face many of the same trials. This Old Testament Bible study has 12 sessions. Part One covers Daniel 1-6 and examines Daniel's life and the pressures he faced. Part Two explores Daniel 7-12 and covers the prophecies from Daniel through the second coming of Christ. The group meets Wednesday mornings, 9:00-11:00am, beginning Sept 2, 2015 in Room 101. If you would like to participate, contact Melissa Schwartz at or milestones86001@yahoo.com. Growing in Christ/Close to Christ/Christ-Centered Willow Creek Leadership Lunch Group. Do you want to learn more about effective leadership? The Willow Creek Leadership Group meets on the first Thursday of each month at 11:30 a.m. at the OMNI Hotel to watch and discuss Willow Creek Leadership Summit DVDs. A catered lunch is provided (currently $15). Explore the challenges of leadership with seasoned leaders from a wide variety of fields as they share their experiences in fascinating video presentations. Contact Elizabeth Law-Evans at or Elizabeth.Lawevans@gmail.com for information and to be added to the list. Electronic reservations are required for the monthly lunch. Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Women s Book Club. Women s Book Club is an informal, open group of women of all ages who love to read! Drop in one time or every month. We meet from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Conference Room on the fourth Tuesday evening of each month to share in discussions of popular books currently available in stores and libraries. We read primarily fiction, but add in some non-fiction for interest. Upcoming titles are: August 25th - The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins; September 22 - All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Monthly attendance averages 8-12 women. There is no cost for participation, and you don t need to bring anything. To limit expense, selected books are usually paperback and available at the library. For additional information or to join, call Alice Potter at Exploring Christ/Growing in Christ/Close to Christ Contact Thomas Cross at to discuss your ideas for Small Groups! 8