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SHORT-TERM Disciple Bible Study

Invitation to John is the fifth in a new series of short-term Disciple Bible studies.  This eleven-week, video-based Bible study builds on the highly successful Disciple Bible study series, incorporating the same focus on in-depth study of the Biblical text (this time, the Gospel of John), preparation, accountability in a small-group setting, and a call to more faithful discipleship.

   Like all Disciple studies, Invitation to John presents the Bible as the text, calls for daily preparation on the part of all participants, and a weekly meeting based on small-group discussions. While the study is eleven weeks, instead of the longer 34 weeks series, it assumes participants will read assigned Scripture and come prepared to share and learn together. Prior participation in Disciple studies is not required of this study.

   Invitation to John will begin at 7:30 pm on Sunday, September 12, 2010 with an Orientation to purchase the study guide and confirm understanding of the necessary course requirements and expectations.  We will come together to discuss our readings for Session One of the series on Sunday, September 26^th.  All sessions will take place in the Walker Room.

   If you are interested in participating in Invitation to John please leave a message at (707) 678-4291 or speak with Rev. Janet Mueller.

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12 Steps to Serenity
Saturdays beginning July 10th
6:30-8:30 pm in the Walker Room

When I was a child, I often tried to hide and avoid emotional pain. As a teenager, I sought escape in addictive behaviors, from athletics to academics, in relationships, and finally - alcohol. Nothing seemed to help and I felt like a failure. I was unhappy and insecure but always acted as if everything was fine. I became a Christian after a tragic car accident. However, I felt people in my new church would not accept me if they knew I had such deep self-doubt and depression. I was afraid they would say my faith wasn’t strong enough and tell me to “‘just pray harder.” Eventually, I felt like a failure at church and just stopped going.

    Many of us go to church and feel the need to put on a happy face along with our Sunday Best. But we all feel hurt and angry at some point in life. I learned that with God’s grace we can find healing through Him and through each other. In 1995, I reconnected with God through 12 step recovery programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-anon. In these rooms I found acceptance and understanding from people who openly shared their daily struggles. I found I was not the only one who experienced “incomprehensible demoralization.” Recovery groups helped me to realize that I was not alone, but I still felt like something was missing. At that time, I yearned for a place where I could pray openly to the “God of My Understanding” - Jesus.

    I wanted to share the hope of eternal life that I had found in the Bible. I missed the deeply personal relationship with a loving and forgiving God who I called by name...not just a Higher Power. God led me to a church where there was a worship service led by a pastor who had experience in recovery. I finally felt accepted and forgiven. I learned that church can be a place where we may express our deepest pain and get support. The pastor and his wife also led a remarkable program of recovery that combined the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous with their original scriptural foundations. This group was a tremendous support to me when my husband died in November of 2004.

    In 2007,I moved to Davis to be closer to my family and found a church home full of living grace at UMC. As life would have it, however, there are still habits and hang-ups I struggle with on a daily basis. I love church worship services, but know I need to work a little bit harder and share with others to nurture my relationship with God. I met my fiancée, John McClure, in recovery many years ago. He also appreciates the church family at UMC and values the support that both recovery and Bible study provide. Our experiences in both church and recovery led us to propose a 12-step Bible based support group at UMC. This group will combine what we learned in AA and Al-anon with a curriculum that uses the Bible as a tool for recovery. 12 Steps to Serenity will meet on a weekly basis at Davis UMC. All are welcome. If you wish to be with others who are working to overcome daily struggles with addictive behavior and/or relationships, please join us in our journey through the 12 steps and the Bible. This is a safe place, free of judgment and criticism. We want to share God’s love, grace, and the tools we have found that help us forgive ourselves and others.

The first meeting will be held Saturday, July 10^th from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Walker Room. We plan to meet every Saturday thereafter.

 ***Childcare will be available if needed. ****

If you are interested in attending and would like more information please contact Shanti (510)691-9938 or John (530) 312-2498. 

SMALL GROUPS
Fall 2009

Places to grow in friendship and faith

Sunday AM Bible Study (open)
Sundays 9:45-10:45 a.m., Walker Room
Contact: Rosa Washington Olson (GOlson 7373@aol.com)

Wednesday PM Bible Study (open)
Wednesdays, 1:30 p.m., Walker Room
Contact: Lois Misfeldt (loism@macnexus.org)

Disciples Bible Study (full)
Thursdays, 7:00 p.m.
Contact: Rev. Janet Mueller (diacchap@onramp113.org)

Companions in Christ (full)
Tuesdays, 7:15 p.m.
Contact: Janice Morand (jxmorand@ucdavis.edu)

Aging in Community
Contact: Alex Achimore (alexachimore@yahoo.com)

Low Carbon Footprint
Contact: Jim Cramer (jcramer@ucdavis.edu) or Helen Roland (hroland@earthlink.net)

Progressive Theology,
a book discussion group, begins its winter season with The Case for God, by Karen Armstrong. Come and check us out at 7p.m. December 7, in the New Hope room. For further information, call Patti Nelson or Andy Burke, or email us at patricianelson@sbcglobal.net or afburke@ucdavis.edu .

United Methodist Men (open)
2nd Wednesday of the month, 7-8 a.m., Stone’s Cafe
Contact: Jerry Beaman (jlbeaman@sbcglobal.net)

United Methodist Women (open)
3rd Thursday of the month, 1:30 p.m.
Contact: Rosa Washington Olson (GOlson7373@aol.com)

Sunset Diners (for mature singles)
Contact: Joyce de la Martre (joycedelamartre@yahoo.com)

Hilltoppers (50+)
Contact: Rosa Washington Olson (GOlson7373@aol.com)

Prayer Shawl (open)
Contact: Zora Fowler  davisumc@davisumc.org

Emmaus Men’s Group (open)
Meets Wednesdays, 7 a.m., Stone’s Cafe
Contact: Dick Dowell (dick@judyndick.com)

Monday Emmaus Women’s Group (open)
Meets Mondays, 11 a.m., Grace Cafe
Contact: Judy Dowell (judy@dicknjudy.com)

Thursday Emmaus Women’s Group (open)
Meets Thursdays, 6:30 a.m., Stone’s Cafe
Contact: Rosa Washington Olson (GOlson7373@aol.com)

Saturday Emmaus Women’s Group (open)
Meets 1st & 3rd Saturdays, 10 a.m.
Contact: davisumc@davisumc.org

All groups meet at church unless otherwise noted.
 

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