This fall there will be several opportunities for you to join a small group. The kids start school in September, and October brings the opportunity for adults at First to learn something new too. These 2 new groups, Bible 101 and Half Truths, will start in October and be finished by Thanksgiving.  

Bible 101

This is for you if you are afraid to be in a study because you don’t know the Bible, haven’t spent time reading it, or it’s been awhile. OK, honestly it’s been a really long time, and you didn’t really understand it then, either. Bible 101 will give you a background in where the books of the Bible come from. You will get an overview of the Bible, and you will begin reading the Bible with the group. Come and be with others as you learn the basics.

Half Truths

God helps those who help themselves and other things the Bible doesn’t say. They are simple phrases. They sound Christian—like something you might find in the Bible. We’ve all heard these words. Maybe we’ve said them. They capture some element of truth, yet they miss the point in important ways. This book- and DVD-based study will help you search for the whole truth by comparing common Christian cliches with the wisdom found in scripture. You don’t have to be an expert with the Bible to explore the truth in these popular sayings. The cliches include: Everything happens for a reason. God helps those who help themselves. God won’t give you more than you can handle. God said it, I believe it, that settles it. Love the sinner, hate the sin. Are you surprised that the Bible doesn’t really say these things? Join in to understand the whole truth.

A new once a month group will start in October, too, and will run for 6 months.

Healing Democracy Action Circles

During this time when media does a good job of creating polarity, opt instead to join Healing Democracy Action Circles and develop new habits of the heart. Explore the habits of the heart that Parker Palmer describes in his book, Healing the Heart of Democracy: The Courage to Create a Politics Worthy of the Human Spirit. The five habits of the heart are: 1) We are all in this together, 2) An appreciation of otherness, 30 A capacity to hold tension creatively, 4) A sense of voice and agency, 5) A capacity to create community.

Weekly year round groups are also open for new participants:

• Parent Share meets every Sunday at 9:30–10:15 to share what’s happening in your life as a parent. It’s a tough job. Don’t do it alone.
• Courageous Men meets Wednesday mornings at 6:00 at the house and studies a variety of topics, generally DVD based.
• Coffee with Pastor Karyn meets Wednesday mornings at 6:30 at Panera and is open to all adults. Study topics vary. Will be starting a study of Martin Luther this fall.
• The Story meets Sunday mornings between worship services in the Mary room, and is open to all adults. They will start a new study of the Bible this fall.

If you have questions about what group would be right for you or are interested in a different topic, let me know.