Adult Education
St. Paul's strong Adult Education program offers a variety of short- and long-term classes throughout the year. We seek to feed those hungry to know more about God, the church, and the world. Our opportunities are developed by Meg Baker, Director of Christian Education, in close collaboration with the Adult Education Committee.
BIblical Storytelling Workshop
Saturday, November 23, 2024
10:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Octagon
Free with a suggested love offering.
Click the button for the registration form
Learning the sacred stories of Scripture by heart is a powerful spiritual practice. This workshop is for everyone who wishes to learn, to tell, and to connect with God through the spiritual discipline of telling the sacred stories of Scripture. Whether you work with children and youth or dream of bringing Scripture to life in your personal devotion, your spiritual life will be enriched by this art. Those interested in actively trying new skills and those interested in observing are equally welcome.
This two-hour interactive introduction to biblical storytelling will be facilitated by Debbie Weir, with Dr. Meg Baker assisting. Debbie holds a Master Storytelling certificate from the Network of Biblical Storytellers International's Academy of Biblical Storytelling and a Master of Theological Studies degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington DC.
There is no charge for this workshop, but please register in advance! Attendees are encouraged to contribute toward a love offering for our master biblical storyteller. Light refreshments will be offered.
Curious about biblical storytelling? For a taste of the biblical storytelling experience, you can view Tracy Radosevic’s presentation from Genesis at
Taste & Sing
Next up:
November 19, 2024
12:00 noon - 1:00 PM
Octagon Room
Our casual time of food and song is held at 12:00 noon in the Octagon, September-May, usually on the third Tuesday of the month. With Meg Baker on piano and Erin Steele leading the singing, we’ll sing some hymns suggested by the group. Feel free to request your favorites! Then we enjoy a short program on a featured composer, lyricist, or theme, offering a deeper dive into the stories behind our worship songs. No musical experience needed!
Our time together culminates with fellowship over a tasty lunch for a $5 donation. Each meal is lovingly prepared by Ginny Hagberg.
Advent Study 2024
The Christmas Letters
The Christmas Letters: Celebrating Advent with Those Who Told the Story First
12:00-1:30 PM
Sundays, December 1, 8, 15, and 22
Led by Rev. Sheridan Allmond
$15 - includes the book and a light lunch
Registration deadline: November 25, 2024
You may or may not know the story of your birth. If you do, there is something special about hearing your origin story again and remembering how it all began for you. That’s why we observe Advent: to celebrate how it all began for us.
In The Christmas Letters, author Magrey deVega invites you to hear about the miracle of Christ’s birth from those who first told the story. The letters in the New Testament, known as the Epistles, contain the first attempts by the church to understand and celebrate the mystery of the Incarnation. They point us to the origins of what we believe about Jesus, fully human and fully divine. By reading New Testament letters, Romans, 1 John, Philippians, and Colossians, you’ll come to know the meaning of Christ’s coming like never before.
Click the button for the secure online registration and payment form.
REGISTER for The Christmas Letters
To register by cash or check, please use the sign-up in the Narthex. Checks should be made payable to St. Paul's UMC with "Advent Study" in the memo line.
Book Club: Discipleship & Coffee
Nov. 3, 10, 24; Dec. 1
9:15-10:15 AM in Room 109.
Explore questions about what it means to be a disciple. This casual Sunday morning book club will read and discuss “Apprenticed to Jesus: Discipleship Practices for Growing Christians” by Thomas R. Hawkins.
Here is the discussion schedule:
Nov 3 - Ch 1
Nov 10 - Ch 2
Nov 24 - Ch 3, 4
Dec 1 - Ch 5
There is no sign-up – just come with your book and your coffee! Questions? Contact Travis Stalcup.
You can order your book here: https://store.upperroom.org/product/apprenticed-to-jesus
Virtual Study Groups
Drop-in ANytime or Join Now!
During most of the programming year, we offer some form of adult study opportunity each week. All of these studies are designed to no-prep, no-stress, and free-of-charge (some with optional study guides available for those who wish to dig deeper). Participants may attend on a regular, occasional, or a drop-in basis.
Each session is held through the Zoom meeting platform. If you have never zoomed before, have no fear. Zoom makes it easy to participate online from your computer, by cell phone, or by your home phone.
For more information, please contact the Minister of Spiritual Care and Formation, Dr. Meg Baker, at mbaker@stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933, ext. 104. If you are interested in setting up an independent small group for study, prayer, or support and would appreciate some guidance, Meg is also available to help you get started.
Wednesday Bible Study:
Sermon Safari (Ongoing)
Wednesday Bible Study: Sermon Safari
Wednesdays
4:00-5:00 PM by Zoom
Please join us for this weekly come-when-you-can Bible study on Wednesday afternoons.
The Sermon Safari drop-in Bible study returns April 10, in which we view and discuss a different sermon each week. Some of our previous sessions have featured sermons from Brian McLaren, Diana Butler Bass, and Barbara Brown Taylor.
For more information on the Wednesday gathering, or to receive the Zoom link, contact Dr. Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org.
Fall 2024 Study Classes
This Fall, we have two study classes meeeting regularly. Please find information and registration links below!
Questions Jesus Asked
Questions Jesus Asked: A Six-Week Study in the Gospels
Text by Magrey deVega
Co-led by Pastors Sheridan and Joey
Tuesdays, Sept 24 – Oct 29, 2024
6:30-7:30 PM
Room 109
$15 includes text
Register by September 15
Jesus was fond of asking questions, many of which cut right to the heart of what it means to be human. Why are you terrified? What do you live for? Who do you say that I am? Author Magrey deVega explores six of the most provocative questions Jesus posed to others and guides us in answering them for ourselves. Asking these questions takes courage. Not only do they reveal what Jesus really cares about, they open a window into our hearts. When we dare to raise them, these questions bring us a fuller appreciation for the wisdom, power, and presence of God in our lives.
Register by September 15. To register and pay online by credit card, click the button here:
Questions Jesus Asked Registration
To pay by cash or check, please use the paper sign-up sheet located in the church office. For more information, please contact Dr. Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org.
The Gift Of Empathy
The Gift of Empathy
Text by Joel Bretscher and Kenneth Haugk
Co-led by Meg Baker, Virginia Bickford, Martha Lipscomb, and Marie Muller
Sundays, Sept 22, Oct 27, and Nov 24
12:00 noon – 1:30 PM in Room 109
$20 includes text and a light lunch during each session
Registration extended to September 15!
Empathy is something we all need—and it’s something we all can give. The Gift of Empathy: Helping Others Feel Valued, Cared for, and Understood, a three-session book study, lays out principles and practices that empower people to better understand, connect with, and care for family, friends, coworkers, and others. This study presents a fresh approach to a familiar concept, providing practical insights and real-life examples that equip readers to relate in empathetic ways that make a difference in the lives of all those they encounter. While the class is being offered through St. Paul’s Stephen Ministry, all are welcome to participate.
Register by September 8. To register and pay online by credit card, click the button:
The Gift of Empathy Registration
To pay by cash or check, please use the paper sign-up sheet located in the church office. For more information, please contact Dr. Meg Baker at mbaker@stpaulsk.org.
The Upper Room
St. Paul's continues to receive our usual shipment of paper copies of The Upper Room daily devotional guide.
If you would like The Upper Room mailed to your home address, or know someone who would, please contact Erin Steele at stpaulsunited@stpaulsk.org and provide the name, mailing address, and whether you prefer the pocket-size or large print version.
To receive a single copy without being added to the on-going mailing list, please phone Meg Baker at 301-933-7933 ext 104.
Helpful Bible Guides and resources
The American Bible Society provides many free Bible resources to help you engage in God’s Word and encounter the God of the Bible.
Opportunities abound on their website, https://bibleresources.americanbible.org, where you can subscribe to the Daily Bible Reading and access topic-specific resources, such as Bible background and context, practical applications for daily life, and short studies on each book of the Bible. Helpful tools are also available, such as “Getting the Most Out of Your Bible Reading,” which offers tips and prompts to deepen your reading experience.
Allow the Scriptures to speak to you as you read the Bible each day. Engaging in regular “dialogue” with the biblical text reveals new understandings about God, and about yourself.
Click HERE to download the most recent Daily Bible Reading Guide. The two-page layout is designed to be printed and folded as an easy-to-carry pamphlet.
WE Gather Together: Virtual Small Groups
Now Forming!
In this time of isolation, we are working to organize opportunities for congregants to participate in “virtual” small group gatherings either by phone or online. Some of you may want to meet together just to be in community, others may wish to focus on prayer or Bible study, and still others may be interested in some sort of online adult study. We hope you will be a engage with our faith community in this way. To find out more, please contact Meg Baker at mbaker [at] stpaulsk.org or 301-933-7933 ext. 104.
