Ministries: Adult Ministry

Register for Classes and Events

Table of Contents

Pathways Catalog

The Pathways Catalog has information about all of the educational opportunities offered and special events sponsored by St Andrew in 2009-2010.

View Pathways Adult Ministries Program Guide

Follow this link to register online.

 

Ongoing Classes

CORD (Young Adult Ministry) Sundays, 9:15 am Led by Rev. Jerry Herships, who wouldn’t tell us the topics! Come and find out! The CORD is the young adult ministry at St Andrew designed for singles and couples in their 20s and 30s, some with children, some without. Our name reflects the three–fold strength of a cord and the strength in numbers noted in Ecclesiastes 4:12. We have strength in our group and through the three things we do together: study, fellowship (a fancy church word for getting together and hanging out), and acts of service (because it’s not always all about us). In our reading and discussions we strive to deepen our spirituality and examine contemporary issues that matter to people in their 20s and 30s, like jobs, promotions, family, diversity and meaning. We attempt to answer some big questions: Why am I here? Is this all there is? Is it OK with God if I watch “Deal or No Deal?”

Sisters: A Bible Study for Women  Wednesdays, meets through May 19, 2010 9:30-11:15am. Room 249 A gathering for women of all ages brings together different perspectives of life and how we can joyfully grow in our faith. Short-term studies allow new members to join throughout the year and to participate according to interest or availability. The first book is Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible and What He Wants to Do with You by John Macarthur. Led by Lynn McDougal, St. Andrew member, and Christy Boyle, Director of Children’s Ministries.

Women's Spiritual Growth Group An Invitation for Women - We gather again every Wednesday, 9:30–11:30am and welcome all women who would like to join us in growing in our relationship with God and one another. Books are available on the Literature Rack in the Foyer.

Special Events

A NEW KIND OF CHRISTIANITY

A Conference with Brian McLaren, international speaker, author and activist for the progressive movement in Christian circles today.  This is a two day event, co-sponsored by Montview Presbyterian Church and St. Andrew United Methodist Church on Friday, March 5, 2010  and Saturday, March 6, 2010.  Brian will be discussing the paradigm shift that postmodern churches face today and the questions we must ask ourselves to make our faith relevant in the world today. 

Three ticket options and a dinner and/or hotel registration are available:

            1) Friday lecture at Montview - $15
            2) Saturday lecture at St. Andrew - $15
            3) Friday and Saturday lectures (one lecture at each church) - $25
            4) Friday patron dinner and lecture at Montview plus Saturday lecture at St. Andrew - $50 
            5) Students: one day  - $5  or both days - $10
            6) Evening hotel registration at  Residence Inn.

Click here to Purchase Tickets    then scroll down to the date of the event.

Friday, March 5; 7-9pm
First lecture: The Narrative Question: What’s the arc of the Biblical Story?
Montview Presbyterian Church
1980 Dahlia Street
Denver, CO 80220

Saturday, March 6; 9am-Noon
Second lecture: The Bible Question: What can we learn from the past mistakes in using the Bible?
Third lecture: The What-Do-We-Do-Now-Question: How can we turn our questions into a quest?
St. Andrew United Methodist Church
3350 White Bay Drive
Highlands Ranch, CO 80126 

Contact information: Tam Curfman 303-794-2683

McLaren is an author, speaker, pastor, and networker among innovative Christian leaders, thinkers, and activists. He is a frequent guest on television, radio, and news media programs, including "Larry King Live" and "Nightline." His work has also been covered in Time (where he was listed as one of American’s 25 most influential evangelicals), Christianity Today, Christian Century, The Washington Post, and many other print media.

Rev. Dr. McLaren holds a BA and an MA degree in English from the University of Maryland with degrees in English and a Doctor of Divinity Degree from Carey Theological Seminary in Vancouver, BC, Canada. From 1978 to 1986, McLaren taught college English, and in 1982, he helped form Cedar Ridge Community Church, an innovative, nondenominational church in the Baltimore-Washington region. He left higher education in 1986 to serve as the church’s founding pastor and served in that capacity until 2006. During that time, Cedar Ridge earned a reputation as a leader among emerging missional congregations. His books include The Church on the Other Side: Doing Ministry in the Postmodern Matrix, Finding Faith, A New Kind of Christian, the Story We Find Ourselves In, and most recently, A New Kind of Christianity.

 The following study classes are offered as we prepare for this special event:

  • Sundays, Jan 17-Feb 7 at 9:15am with Joy Jamison. A NEW KIND OF CHRISTIAN 
  • Tuesdays, Feb 16-March 9 at 7am Harvey Martz’s class will focus on: Ten Questions That are Transforming the Faith

 

Other Opportunities

Disciple Bible Study - An in-depth, 9-month program beginning in the of September to help persons develop a biblically informed faith. Through individual study and weekly group discussion and reflection, Disciple is about transforming lives and equipping persons to faithfully live as disciples of Jesus Christ. We offer Disciple I, II, III & IV and Jesus in the Gospels.  Class groups enjoy stong bonds developed during this extended time of study in community.

PATHWAYS CLASS SIGN UP ONLINE  Classes are listed by date on the website registration page so click on class registrations, scroll down to find your class, click register and then 1) if you are a member, your user name is your email address and your password is the number assigned to you. If you have forgotten that password number, click on forgotten password and it will be sent to you via email. 2) If you do not receive snail mail from St. Andrew please sign in as a new user. You will be added to the database for future registrations. 

Quantum Faith   (Meets at AfterHours at 7562 S. University Blvd., Unit K in Centennial, 80122) following AfterHours. St. Andrew’s Quantum Faith group explores the intersection between science and spirituality through book studies and weekly discussion. If you enjoy the connection between your heart and your head as part of your Christian journey, you will find a group of fellow seekers in Quantum Faith. Leaders:  All who attend, facilitated by Bob Tipton.

Monday Noon Book Group, ongoing group beginning Sep 14, noon-1pm. Room 243. Weekly opportunity to be challenged and inspired in a welcoming, well-read community! Books are chosen by the group and cover a wide range of topics .You will find the discussions lively, insightful and spirit-filled. Our first book to read and discuss is: Run by Ann Patchett. Book is available at Pathways desk.

The Heart of Christianity Tuesdays, Jan 5 - Feb 9 at 7-9pm in Room 243. Are you one of the millions of people who are turned off or turned away by traditional beliefs about God, Jesus and the Bible? Do you long for a relevant nourishing faith? Author Marcus Borg shows why the Christian life can still offer a transforming relationship with God. This book study is led by Rev. Jerry Herships, Associate Pastor. Tuesdays, Jan 5-Feb 9, 7-8:30pm in Room 243. 

Financial Peace University Preview class Thursday, Jan 7, 6:30–8pm in Room 249. 13 week course begins Jan 21-Apr 8. Get control of your money; stop struggling to make ends meet; tell your money what to do; change your family’s future.  Susan Lewkow, Director of Finance, will facilitate this preview class using Dave Ramsey’s DVDs and course materials. It is never too late to face debt and restore financial well-being.

Jesus and the Coins of His Time Thursday, Jan 21 7-8:30pm in Room 250. Learn about coins mentioned in the Bible with collector and avid expert Alan Folkestad.

Discovery and Decipherment of the Dead Sea Scrolls Sundays, Jan 24 & 31; Chapel. Dr. Alison Schofield, University of Denver will talk about how they were discovered and what DNA analysis and digital imagery have concluded about these documents.

Dead Sea Scrolls class;- January 24 & 31 in the chapel at 10:40am.

Informational meeting for Pilgrimage to Philadelphia and the Amish country Monday, Jan 25, 7pm in Room 241. Trip will be June 25-30, 2010.

Estate Planning, the Basics Thursday, Jan 28; 7-9pm. Learn about living trusts, advance medical directives and more.  Don Kelley and Woody Herring, tax and estate attorneys.

You Don’t Mean Me!  Discernment for Ministry   Feb 3 7-8:30pm - Are you hearing a call? What exactly constitutes a call? Facing a transition in life and wondering what is next for you? Join Dr. Harvey Martz, Rev. Cindy Bates, Rev. Jerry Herships, and others for a panel discussion to get answers to these and other questions about ministry.  Rescheduled in the new year.

Everything Must Change with Kathy Meyers and Marylou Cate – Feb 3, 10, skip 17, 24 and Mar 3 room tbd

A New Kind of Christian with Joy Jamison now – Feb 7 at 9:15am in room 249

New Testament Archaeology of Rome with with Dr. Alison Schofield of the University of Denver on Feb 14 10:40am in the chapel

A New Kind of Christianity with Dr. Martz on Feb 16- Mar 9 at 7am in the chapel

Buddhism, a study with Jacob Kinnard of Iliff on Feb 18 – Mar 11 in room 251

The Story We Find Ourselves In with Joy Jamison – Feb 21 – Mar 7 in room 249

Raising Resilient Children 9:15-10:15am Feb 21 – Mar 14 with Kathy VanArsdale in room 243

John Philip Newell (Pathways on the Road) Feb 24 – St. John’s Cathedral 7-9pm

Motley Crew: A Day with the Disciples Feb 28, noon – 4pm (free lunch included) with Schawn Kellogg

Lenten series: The Last Week Feb 28 – March 28 with Mitch Hankins and Tom Kucera in room 252

Pilgrimage to Philadelphia and the Amish country June 25-30, 2010;

Beginnings

Learn more about this congregation, the Christian faith, the Methodist tradition, the Bible, and how or where you might connect with others. The following courses are designed to be foundational in your education/spiritual formation experience.

St. Andrew Orientation

You will learn what makes St. Andrew special and become acquainted with staff and fellow explorers. You can then determine you level of commitment and decide if you wish to become a member of St. Andrew. See Calendar page for scheduled times.

Breaking Ground

This class will help us get better acquainted with the basics of "our Book." We will learn where well know verses are found, what the numbers "4:11" mean, and how we might relate the Bible to real life.

Teach Me To Pray: An Introduction to Prayer

Prayer is vital to our relationship with God but sometimes we don't know how to pray. Come and discover what method nourishes your time with God. Classes will include lecture, discussion and experiences of prayer with Rev. Cindy Bates. We’re sorry, but due to a schedule conflict, this class needs to be postponed to a later date. Please watch this space, the bulletin or Messenger for rescheduling information.

Book Discussion Groups

Books are on the Literature Rack.

Monday Noon Book Group

Monday Noon Book Group Mon, ongoing, noon-1pm beginning Sep, 14, 2009; Weekly opportunity to be challenged and inspired in a welcoming, well-read community! Books are chosen by the group and cover a wide range of topics .You will find the discussions lively, insightful and spirit-filled. Our first book to read and discuss is: Run by Ann Patchett. Book is available at Pathways desk.Join Rev. Cindy Bates on Mondays, Sept - June, from Noon-1pm.

Travel With St Andrew

CRADLE OF FREEDOM PILGRIMAGE to Philadelphia and the Amish country – informational meeting Jan 25 at 7pm in Room 241.

PILGRIMAGE TO SCOTLAND, Sept 19-29, 2010. Veteran pilgrimage guides, Rev. Cindy Bates and Rev. Carolyn Waters, will lead this group to study Celtic spirituality and to visit sacred sites, Isles of Iona, Mull and Staffa, and legendary St. Andrews Golf Course. For more information contact Kathy Meyer (303-468-6857) or email kmeyers@st-andrew-umc.com

On Our Literature Rack

Check the Literature Rack in the Foyer. You’ll find Bibles, books Harvey has recommended, texts for classes, devotional material (free), books on spiritual topics, on grieving support, on social justice, on parenting and many other topics. Come and browse.

New on the Literature Rack

Homosexuality and a Journey of Faith by Rev. Paul Barnes.

The First Paul: Reclaiming the Radical Visionary Behind the Church’s Conservative Icon by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan

Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity by Adam Hamilton

Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Bishop Robert Schnase

And What Shall We Say of the St. Andrew Library?

  • NOT HARD TO FIND - It is conveniently located in the Adult Wing, just a few steps off the GATHERING SPACE in room B239.
  • NO MYSTERIOUS SHELVING SYSTEM - 3-ring alphabetized loose-leaf binders are available to help you find things by title, author, or subject.

  • NO LIBRARY CARD REQUIRED - Our 1800 plus books and many videos, CDs & DVDs are available to everyone who wants to use them.

    Books on devotion, inspiration, spirituality, biblical insights, moral problems, family life, psychology, church history, and other religions are available on our shelves.

    As you enter the library, a table covered with suggested reading will grab your attention and, hopefully, inspire your desire to curl up with a good book.

If you have any questions about using your Library, please contact our Librarians, Henry and Anne Rice, or Diane Smith in the church office.

Watch this space for additional suggestions of new books, DVDs and Magazines. You’ll also see reviews here.

Need a new perspective ? Check out these, and other new DVDs in the St. Andrew Library:

  1. From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians - PBS /Frontline explore the life of Jesus and the movement he started, challenging familiar assumptions and conventional notions about the origins of Christianity.
  2. Eclipsing Empire: Paul, Rome and the Kingdom of God from Living the Questions. Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, in Turkey, Greece and Italy, trace Paul’s footsteps and explore fresh insights into Paul’s message of the Kingdom of God, its challenge to Roman imperial theology and the apostle’s radical relevance for today.
  3. The Crusades: Crescent and the Cross by the History Channel, “the epic battle between Middle Age superpowers … which decided the fate of the Holy Land …”

New in Our Library

Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North (DVD) is now in the Library for anyone to check out. In this movie, Producer/Director Katrina Browne tells the story of her forefathers, the largest slave-trading family in US history. Viewers will be surprised to learn that Browne’s ancestors were Northerners. The film follows Browne and nine fellow family members on a remarkable journey which brings them face-to-face with the history and legacy of New England’s hidden enterprise.

Pathways Ministry Roles and Responsibilities

Ministry Team/Standing Committee:  Pathways at St. Andrew: A Center for Spiritual Growth

Mission/Purpose Statement:

The mission of the Pathways team is to provide St. Andrew and community members and affiliates with meaningful opportunities to grow in their Christian faith through adult education and spiritual formation classes and events.

Primary Responsibilities/Activities:

1. Learning: We seek to provide programming and events that are diverse in content and yet grounded in our faith tradition, equipping persons to understand and articulate what it means to be a thinking Christian with a heart that longs to follow Jesus.

2. Offering Diverse Opportunities:  We are all at different points in our faith journey, and differ in what we need in our quest to know God and experience the sacred.  Our team continually looks for new ways to provide opportunities for intellectual growth, inner reflection and spiritual growth, understanding of other faiths, and exploration of spirituality through creativity and the arts.

3.  Challenge:  Classes and events provide opportunities to incorporate new insights and ideas into our lives. We encourage individuals to face the challenge and be open to the transformation that can happen when we learn and grow.

4. Community Building:  In this large, growing congregation, Pathways classes, retreats, forums and special events are often the channel for individuals to feel known and begin building a sense of community.  Many people have also cited Pathways classes and events as the catalyst for becoming active in service, both within and outside the church.

5. Invitation:  We are an educational and spiritual resource for our community at large as well as our congregation.  We provide opportunities for persons who may not be affiliated with a community of faith, intentionally reflecting St. Andrew’s spirit of openness in mind, heart and doors.  From the diversity of offerings in the Pathways catalog to the types of books available on the Pathways bookshelves, we witness to a way of being Christian that welcomes questions and exploration on the faith journey.

Members on Ministry Team or Standing Committee:

Gwen Balk, Cindy Bates, Tam Curfman, Brant Dillon, Jeri Dwyer, Bill Fowles, Shelly Hall, Linda Harmon, Jerry Herships, Allison Holmes, Shani Jones, Schawn Kellogg, Sally Turk, Linda Zenner

 

August 2007

Ministries

Page Tools