Small Groups
Connected. Known. Understood by people with your same concerns and hopes. That’s how you can feel by participating in one of the many small groups we offer at St. Paul.
Summer 2013
Each of these studies will meet one time for about an hour and a half.
The Hobbit: June 26 at 7pm
- Led by Mark Johnson.
- Book by J.R.R. Tolkein
- Come explore The Hobbit, the book (or should I say 'books') that inspired the new three part movie sensation. Come with any questions you like about the story, it's author, or the fictional world of Middle Earth.
Toy Story 3: July 1 at 6pm
- Led by Josiah Brock
- Love movies? Love discussing them? We will discuss the themes found in Toy Story 3 and how those themes relate to and inform on our lives as Christians, humans, and members of St Paul.
- There is no book for this class.
- There will be an opportunity to watch the move, June 30 at 6:30p in the Youth Center
Letters from Prison: Unbound Hope from Bound Hands: July 9 at 7pm
- Led by David Garvin
- Prison as holy ground? Letter writing as a sacred practice? Together we will explore letters written by influential Christians (Paul, Martin Luther King, Jr., Bonhoeffer) in precarious places (Roman prison cell, Birmingham jail, Tegel and Flossenbürg camps).
- Please pick up the packet of readings for this class at the Information Desk
Finland: Its High Performing Education System and the Society that Supports It: July 11 at 10am
- Led by Debbie Wesslund
Confronting the Controversies: Biblical Perspectives on Tough Issues: July 1 at 6:30pm
- Book by Adam Hamilton
- Led by Gary Gibson
- Explore the controversial and divisive issues of our time, seeking to understand the positions different sides hold using a biblical perspective. Includes topics such as separation of church & state, evolution, abortion, and others.
Gran Torino: July 22 at 6pm
- Gran Torino is a story about a bitter old man and the bond he forms with his Korean neighbor. Our discussion will revolve around how Eastwood presents violence (physical, emotional, and psychological) in the movie, and how his character fights gang violence with aggressive non-violence.
- This movie is rated R for violence and language, both of which will be integral for our discussion. Therefore, the movie may not be appropriate for all persons. For questions about the movie or discussion, contact Josiah, David Garvin, or Pam Greenwell.
- There is no book for this class
Biblical Lessons from Egypt: July 23 at 6:30pm
- Led by Brad Matthews
- Learn about the archaeological settings and historical events related to Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and Joseph, Mary, and Jesus' time spent in Egypt.
- There is no book for this class
Sabbath in the Suburbs: August 13 at 6:30pm
- Book by MaryAnn McKibben Dana
- Led by Katrina Paxson
- What does Sabbath look like? Join us as we discuss Holy time through the story of one family’s decision to spend a year exploring the meaning of keeping Sabbath.
Ongoing Opportunities
Highlands Reading Group: Meets in the evening for conversation on various books. Contact David Garvin (dgarvin@stpaulchurch.net) for more information
Downtown Reading Group: Meets downtown for lunch and conversation. Contact David Garvin (dgarvin@stpaulchurch.net) for more information
Saturday Morning Men’s Study: A weekly study of Romans. Next book TBD. Meets Saturday mornings at 7am. Led by Dean Harper (room 100)
*Does not meet during the summer
Wednesday Morning Bible Study: A weekly study of Philippians—Philemon starting at 10am on Wednesdays. Led by Sue Harper (room 113)
*Does not meet during the summer
Senior Adult Spirituality Group: Studies The Fruit of the Spirit and meets Tuesdays at 2pm (room 219, parlor)
*Does not meet during the summer
New Psalms Project: A group of writers and artists who seek to express aspects of their faith through poems, prayers, essays, short fiction, and the visual arts. The group meets on the last Monday of most months. Led by Mark Johnson
Business @ St. Paul: Business owners, self-employed contractors and sales representatives who meet for regular discussions on business issues and marketing. Led by Gretchen Mahaffey (coffee shop)
United Methodist Women: 2nd Tuesday of each month, 10am. Led by Genny Scheldorf (room 113)
Kaleidoscope Women’s Group: 1st Tuesday of each month, 7pm (room 100)