Classes
Tuesday Night Bible Study
Online Only
Using N.T. Wright’s book Into the Heart of Romans, participants will take a deep dive into Romans Chapter 8 over the course of 9 sessions. The book may be purchased from Cokesbury or Amazon (ISBN: 978-0310157748). Participants will need to read Chapter 1 for the first session on April 9. Contact Bill Wilkin, wcwilkin@yahoo.com to sign up.
Wednesday Night Book Study
Location: Community Room 121
Wednesday, April 10, we begin a video-based study of Wrestling with Doubt? Finding Faith by Adam Hamilton. This study, facilitated by Judy Wooldridge, focuses on doubts/questions that each of us faces. And most importantly, the book helps us to see that everyone has doubts. Contact Judy Wooldridge, judith.a.wooldridge@gmail.com, to sign up.
Wednesday Night Parenting Class
Location: Room 218
Parents and caregivers are invited to join us on Wednesdays, April 10, April 17 and May 1 from 6:00-7:00 PM for a 3 week study as we discover together how to create lasting faith in children and teens. Email Pastor Gracie Dugan, gracie@bellemeadeumc.org, if you plan to join us or would like to purchase the book (optional) for $10.
Wednesday Nights in Lent
Join us on Wednesday nights from 6:15-6:50 PM in the Sanctuary or online. Five lay speakers will share their thoughts on the I AM statements of Jesus. We will sing a hymn or song, hear a reflection, and have an extended period of music for prayer and contemplation.
March 20: I AM the way, truth, and the life - John 14:1-7
Speaker: Lindsay Bridges
Musicians: The Belle Meade Dulcimers - Marsha Arnold, Carol Cartwright, Georgia Hobb
Belle Meade 101
Are you new to Belle Meade and interested in learning more? Belle Meade 101 is a 4 week course offered by Rev. Sam McGlothlin and Rev. Mary Jane Pierce Norton. We explore United Methodist theology, history, and polity, as well as our local church’s history, vision, values, and ways for you and/or your family to get engaged! This is a great way to meet other newcomers to the church. We will gather every Sunday in February from 9:30-10:15 AM in the Chapel. Please RSVP to Pastor Sam, sam@bellemeadeumc.org.
Wednesday Night Study: On Purpose
6-7 pm in the Community Room 121
Our next Wednesday night study begins January 10 with a gathering time to get acquainted, and the actual study of On Purpose begins on January. The class will be co-led by Rev. Sam McGlothlin, Brian Sigmon, Rachael Jorstad, and Judy Wooldridge. Pastor Sam joined with other UMC pastors to write On Purpose: Finding God’s Voice in Your Passion in 2023. This book helps us see God’s purpose for our lives, points us to how we can open ourselves to God’s voice, and directs us in how to take the first or next step in following God’s call. Email Pastor Sam, sam@bellemeadeumc.org to register. Books can be purchased on Amazon or Cokesbury, or there is 1 available for checkout in our Church Library.
Advent Sacred Space
Join us on Wednesdays in Advent to contemplate and celebrate this sacred season. On November 29 and December 6, we'll have stations set up in the Chapel. These meditative stations will be self-guided and are intended to provide a quiet respite in the midst of an otherwise chaotic season.
Parenting: Body Positivity, Nutrition, and Wellness
Nov 1, 8, 15 from 6:00-7:00 PM, Community Room 121
The Bible teaches that our bodies are wonderfully made and are temples of God’s Holy Spirit. Each week will focus on different aspects of nutritional wellness and offer practical tips for parents to implement at home. Teacher: Kara Miller, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, email kara.jae.miller@gmail.com to register
Living Joy-Full: Spirituality for Both Halves of our Lives
Nov 1, 8, 15 from 6:00-7:00 PM, Lounge
As we move from our October theme of “Wisdom” and into our November theme of “Joy-Full”, a study based on the writings of Richard Rohr is particularly fitting. Through the sessions we will take time to grow our souls and share with one another what helps us experience the light of God. Teacher: Rev. Mary Jane Pierce-Norton, email mnorton@nccumc.org to register
Digital Media and the Wellness of Our Will
In this two-week conversation, Brian Sigmon will lead a discussion of the book Stand Out of Our Light, by Google strategist turned Oxford-trained philosopher James Williams. Learn what you can do to reclaim your attention and willpower so you can want "what you want to want” and learn why freeing our attention may be nothing less than “the defining moral and political task of the information age.” Purchase the book at Amazon or read for free via the publisher’s open-access PDF here.
Wednesday Night Reading Class
You are invited to join members of the UWF for our “literary society” discussions based on what we are reading through our national Reading Program. This year we have pledged to read books in the following categories: Spiritual Growth, Mission, Leadership Development, Social Action, and Community. We want to include any congregation members interested in book discussions to join us! Reading on your own? Come and recommend what books are opening new worlds for you. Not a reader but enjoy discussions? Come and participate for the fellowship! We will meet Wednesday nights May 3 to 17 from 6:15 to 6:50 in the Lounge. Please contact MaryJane Pierce Norton at mnorton@nccumc.org with any questions.
Parenting Series
Parents, grandparents, and all who love children are invited to join Rev. Gracie Dugan on Wednesday Nights after Easter for a 3 week series on navigating challenging topics with kids ages birth-5th Grade. Each week we will focus on a different topic through the lens of child and faith development. These sessions will also offer practical tools for how we can navigate these topics with children and allow space for parents to bring their questions. We will meet in the church fellowship hall each week from 6pm-7pm for conversation and learning. The schedule is: April 12th: Talking with Kids About Death, Apr 19th: Parenting in the Digital Age, and Apr 26: Kids and Human Sexuality.
Wednesday Nights in Lent
Dinner is 5:00-6:00 in the Fellowship Hall. $12 for adults, $5 for kids, $30 cap for families. Programming is 6:15-6:50 in the Sanctuary or online. Five lay speakers will share their thoughts on each of the miracles we are examining. We will sing a hymn or song, hear a miracle reflection, and have an extended period of music for prayer and contemplation.
Virtual Small Group
Join us in Lent for a 6 week small group! We’ll be studying A.J. Levine’s book Signs and Wonders: A Beginner’s Guide to the Miracles of Jesus. Email Rachael, our online pastor, for the Zoom link! rachael@bellemeadeumc.org
Wednesday Night Class: Bible Study on Luke
Join us for a six-week study Luke: Jesus and the Outsiders, Outcasts, and Outlaws, by Adam Hamilton. Taught by Amy Sigmon and Kara Miller, this study will explore the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus as told in the Gospel of Luke. Meets in the Lounge on Wednesday nights, from 6:00-7:00, January 11 through February 15.
Tuesday Night Bible Study: Invitation to Romans
Topic: Invitation to Romans: A Short-Term DISCIPLE Bible Study Dates: Tuesdays beginning January 10, 2023
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Location: Zoom only
Participants will need to purchase the Participant Book, Invitation to Romans by Pamela M. Eisenbaum from Cokesbury or Amazon.
To sign up or ask questions, please contact Dr. Kinny Cosner at charlescosner123@gmail.com or Bill Wilkin at wcwilkin@yahoo.com.
The Big Picture: Seeing God’s Dream For Your Life
Wednesday Night and Sunday Morning Class
Dates: Wednesdays on November 2, 9 & 16 from 6:00-7:00 in-person
Sundays on November 6, 13, 20 from 9:30-10:15 on Zoom
Book information: “The Big Picture” by Jevon Caldwell-Gross and Nicole Caldwell-Gross, available from Cokesbury.com or amazon.com.
Sign up for the class at the front desk, at Wed Dinner, or by emailing Pastor Sam, sam@bellemeadeumc.org.
Apocalyptic Literature in the Bible and Beyond
Wednesday Night Class
Dates: Wednesdays from November 2-16 from 6:00-7:00 in Room 217
Sign up for the class at the front desk, at Wed Dinner, or by emailing Brian Sigmon, bosigman@gmail.com.