Love Your Neighbor Walk: Widening the Table
Register now to participate by email beginning March 8
Discussion group will meet via Zoom on Sundays March 14, 28, April 11 at 7:00 pm.
The Love Your Neighbor Walk is a five week study by email designed to create dedicated time and space to delve into scripture and connect God's word to our social justice habits, particularly those dealing with issues of race, power, and leadership. Beginning March 1st, participants will receive an email on Monday/Wednesday/Friday for 5 weeks with opportunities to reflect on scripture and prayer then select from a variety of activities such as reading an article, listening to a podcast or music or watching a video. Bi-weekly meetings via Zoom will provide opportunities for discussion. To sign up contact one of the organizing team: Pam Gable, Pastor Jake jheskett@faithumchurch.org, Teresa Purses, Kathy Schmucker kschmucker@faithumchurch.org, or Tom Strauch or you can sign up directly on Realm in Find Groups.
The Faith of a Mockingbird: Connecting Christ and Culture
Alternating Wednesdays at 6:30pm beginning April 21
Facilitator: Kathy Schmucker
Discover your world, God’s world, and the world of Atticus Finch. In The Faith of a Mockingbird, based on Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, pastor and author Matt Rawle uses Lee’s beloved characters to explore Christian faith, theology, and ethics. Join Scout, Atticus Finch, Boo Radley, and Tom Robinson in this four-week study considering God’s world and what it all means.
I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness
Wednesdays at 6:30 pm via Zoom beginning May 5
Facilitator Pastor Jake
From a leading voice on racial justice, an eye-opening account of growing up Black, Christian, and female that exposes how white America's love affair with "diversity" so often falls short of its ideals. Austin Channing Brown's first encounter with a racialized America came at age seven, when she discovered her parents named her Austin to deceive future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and churches, Austin writes, "I had to learn what it means to love blackness," a journey that led to a lifetime spent navigating America's racial divide as a writer, speaker, and expert helping organizations practice genuine inclusion. In a time when nearly every institution (schools, churches, universities, businesses) claims to value diversity in its mission statement, Austin writes in breathtaking detail about her journey to self-worth and the pitfalls that kill our attempts at racial justice. Her stories bear witness to the complexity of America's social fabric--from Black Cleveland neighborhoods to private schools in the middle-class suburbs, from prison walls to the boardrooms at majority-white organizations. I'm Still Here is an illuminating look at how white, middle-class, Evangelicalism has participated in an era of rising racial hostility, inviting the reader to confront apathy, recognize God's ongoing work in the world, and discover how blackness--if we let it--can save us all.
Virtual lobby
Sundays at 9:00 am
A weekly virtual gathering! Grab your coffee and donuts (or whatever morning treats you prefer) and join us for conversation and fellowship via Zoom on Sunday mornings!
Friday Afternoon Study
Theology for the Times
Fridays at 1:00 pm by Zoom.
Contact Tom Strauch and Kathy Schmucker.
Theology for the Times"...with the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other." This is how a 20th century theologian calls for followers of Jesus to discern and empower faithful living. Join this effort by engaging in a 'Theology for our Times' conversation to inform faithful living.
Courage: Jesus and the Call to Brave Faith
Sundays at 9:30am via Zoom beginning April 18
Facilitator: Kim Reynolds
Unlock the courage that you already possess as a follower of Christ! As Christians, we do our best to live our lives as Jesus lived, following the examples of his many virtues—including honesty, faithfulness, and generosity. But one virtue that is often overlooked is courage. Throughout Jesus’ life, he was called upon to be brave: in the face of his enemies, when being tempted, and certainly at the time of his death. By examining the life of Christ, we can begin to understand what true courage is and how God works in our lives when we exhibit a brave faith. In Courage: Jesus and the Call to Brave Faith, pastor and author Tom Berlin challenges us to unlock the courage that we already possess as Christ followers, and in doing so, we can begin to find the remarkable life Jesus offers us.
Men’s Life Study
Barnstorming Ohio to Understand America
Two Saturdays per month at 7:00 am via Zoom – Facilitator: Kim Reynolds
David Giffels (award wining author) provides an account of a year he traveled on Ohio roads, visiting people and places that offer valuable reflections of the national questions and concerns. Many are seeking answers to America’s identity. This book will provide some insights for all of us to think about. The Men’s Life Study group will discuss via Zoom on Saturdays at 7:00 am February 6 & 20, March 6 & 20 and April 3 & 17.
Book Discussion Group
On April 29, 2021 at 7 pm plan to join us to discuss Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics.
While this book is really a “coffee table book,” we will discuss the life and work of Dolly Parton via Zoom on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 7 pm. There is also a great documentary on her career playing on Netflix. Dolly relates that songwriting is her way of expressing herself. “In a song, I can go anywhere and do anything,” she says. For serious writing, she explains, “I just go into my ‘God space.’ Most songwriters have a zone that they go into. I call it my spiritual zone. I feel like I’m closest to God when I write. I have to leave myself open for the songs to come in or go out. But God doesn’t hand you everything. You have to do the work. Still, every once in a while, something special happens. A great line will just come to me, and I’ll go, ‘Hey, thank You, Lord. I know I didn’t think of that.’”
Tuesday PM Women’s Study
Fierce: Women of the Bible Who Changed the World
Tuesdays at 6:30 pm via Zoom beginning April 6 – Facilitators: Sue Bell and Sue Schillings
It’s become trendy to use the word “fierce” when describing women at the top of their game, but women have been fiercely changing the world for thousands of years. In fact, the Bible tells of many fierce female characters who made hard decisions, offered hope, boldly repented, shared their faith, and blessed those around them. Although some are less well known than others, these women can teach us how we, too, can live into our callings, honor the Lord, and even change the world through our courage, faithfulness, and obedience.
Words of Life
Wednesday Women’s Group
Wednesdays at 9:00 am via Zoom beginning February 3, Facilitator: Linda Reynolds
Wednesday Women’s Study, Wednesdays at 9:00 am via Zoom beginning March 17, Facilitator: Linda Reynolds
Update Description: Nearly everyone has heard of the Ten Commandments, the list of "thou-shalt-nots" found in the Bible. Jesus saw these commandments not as onerous burdens, but as guideposts to help us experience a good and beautiful life. These ten ancient "words" were given to us by a loving God who longed to set safe boundaries, create order out of chaos, help communities live peacefully, and protect us--often from ourselves.
In this book of Scripture and inspiration, bestselling author Adam Hamilton brings modern eyes to the most important set of ethics in history. He considers the commandments in their historical context, considering the meaning of each commandment in Hebrew, unpacking how Jesus reinterpreted them, and showing how every thou-shalt-not was intended to point to a life-giving "thou shalt." He also explores how the latest research in science and psychology illuminates these commandments, rightly understood, as a way of ordering one's life beautifully in the present day. In a culture marked by workaholism, materialism, and social media-driven envy, God has given us a time-tested path that leads to gratitude, confidence, and peace. Words of Life is an inspiring, thought-provoking read for anyone seeking to live a meaningful and joyful life.
Sewing for Missions
Meets every other Wednesday at 6:30 pm via Zoom.
Coordinator is Sue Bell
God has called us to use our sewing abilities to help many people and be a bright spot in someone's dark day. Join us on Wednesday nights to help sew the various projects we complete. We are always looking for ways that God is calling us to bless people through our sewing.
The Minor Prophets Monday Night Bible Study
Mondays at 6:30 pm via Zoom beginning April 5,202
Facilitator Ron Luikart
The Minor Prophets are often overlooked. However, one commentator says this, “One theme that unifies the 12 prophets is Israel’s relationship with God. What does God demand of humans? How do historical events signify God’s word? These are questions that appear throughout Biblical prophecy. But nowhere in the Bible does a single book present as wide a variety of views on these subjects as does the collection of the Twelve Minor prophets. Even in a single time period, there is a remarkable diversity of views.” The Bible will be our primary text and we will use commentaries and online references to help us gain insight into these books.
Faith and the Environment
Coordinator: Brian Klink
Faith and the Environment” Ministry here at Faith United is an expression of our congregations' need to put into action the gratitude we feel for this magnificent earth. The divine nature of our Creator bestows on all that is created as a sacred legacy. Collectively we commit ourselves to the task of under-standing and preserving this legacy.
Visit our page more information
"People of Faith caring for our World"
Thursday Afternoon Group
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Check back soon for updates about group gatherings.
Coordinator: Mike Flechtner
Prayer Shawls are the most heartfelt of gifts. They wrap, enfold, comfort, mother, hug, cover, shelter, beautify and give solace to our recipients. Our knitters and crocheters laugh, cry, love, and pray over the shawls while we make them. The official Prayer Shawl Ministry meeting is from 1-3 on the first Thursday of the month. Because we have so much fun, we meet the other three Thursdays to knit, crochet, and have fellowship. Please join us. We provide the hooks, needles, patterns and yarn. The Prayer Shawl Group will be meeting outdoors at the church and will be limited to 10 people.
United Methodist Women
The United Methodist Women is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ: to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. Circle of Faith, Circle of Love and Lydia Circle welcome new members!
Learn more about discipleship at Faith United
Music Groups
Faith United offers a wide variety of music groups for all ages to use their gifts and passion for vocal or instrumental music in worship.
What is the Emmaus Ministry?
Learn about Emmaus Spiritual Renewal Weekends and accountability groups.