When: 

• Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00noon
  meeting Bi-Weekly on June 25, July 9, July 23, August 6, August 20
  in Rm 171
  OR

• Sundays, 2:30-4:00pm
  meeting Weekly: June 30, July 7, July 14, July 21, July 28
  in Rm 352

Join Deacon Troy and fellow disciples in this study using Brian McLaren's book, The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World’s Largest Religion Is Seeking a Better Way to Be Christian.

This book claims that – notwithstanding the dire headlines about the demise of faith and drop in church attendance – Christian faith is not dying. Rather, it is embarking on a once-in-an-era spiritual shift. For millions, the journey has already begun.

Drawing from his work as global activist, pastor, and public theologian, the author, Brian McLaren, challenges readers to stop worrying, waiting, and indulging in nostalgia and instead embrace the powerful new understandings that are reshaping the church. The book explores three profound shifts that define the change:

• Spiritually, growing numbers of Christians are moving away from defining themselves by lists of beliefs and toward a way of life defined by love;
• Theologically, believers are increasingly rejecting the image of God as a violent Supreme Being and embracing the image of God as the renewing Spirit at work in our world for the common good;
• Missionally, the faithful are identifying less with organized religion and more with organizing religion – spiritual activists dedicated to healing the planet, building peace, overcoming poverty and injustice, and collaborating with other faiths to ensure a better future for all of us.

We encourage you to purchase a copy of the book yourself. By registering, we'll send you an email with links to where you can purchase the book. If needed, however, the church can purchase the book for you for $15.

REGISTER NOW

When: Sundays at 9:30am beginning July 7
Where: Room 303

Join the Searchers Sunday School Class for this study of Taste and See that helps us consider that: 1) As we break bread, we find the satisfaction of our deepest hungers in the community our souls crave; 2) As we share our lives, we taste and see God's fruitfulness; 3) When we're tempted to lose heart, we find courage in learning from stories of God's ways; and 4) In the midst of a busy life, we can all create space to taste and see God's goodness. To get connected to the class leaders, contact Deacon Troy Sims ( ).

When: Sundays at 9:30am beginning July 14, 2024
Where: Room 174

Join the Marvin Willard Sunday School Class for this video-based study featuring author and civic leader, Eboo Patel. Together, over 5 weeks, you'll explore what it means to be “literate” about other faiths, how interfaith cooperation “works," and the skills needed for interfaith cooperation. To get connected to the class leaders, contact Deacon Troy Sims ( ).

Join pastors of Williamsburg UMC in Bible studies of various topics. The group is currently taking a break but will be returning soon for a Summer study! 

Each Fall, WUMC offers long-term, in-depth studies of the Bible that focus not only on studying Scripture but also on developing deeper covenant relationships with God and each other, which leads to more fruitful discipleship. Some examples of studies offered in the past (and that may be offered in the future include):

• Covenant Bible Study
  This 24-week in-depth group Bible Study invites participants to read and discuss the Bible together to learn how to love God and each other better. Participants will study the entire story of the Bible while considering the covenant God creates with us, inviting us to live into and trust that covenant as a community.
  Prerequisite: None
• Disciple I: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study
  This first in the Disciple series serves as the basis for all other studies in the Disciple family that follow. Over the course of 34 weeks, this covers some 80% of the Bible, following the biblical story from Creation to the New Jerusalem. We have started using the aforementioned Covenant Bible Study in place of Disciple I as the prerequisite for the following classes.
  Prerequisite: None
• Disciple II: Into the Word Into the World
  This 32-week study offers a deep examination of Genesis, Exodus, Luke, and Acts, emphasizing the rhythm of coming to God and going for God – approaching all experiences of life as opportunities for faithful witness and service.
  We recommend that you take Covenant or Disciple I before Disciple II.
• Disciple III: Remember Who You Are
  In the Old Testament Prophets and the Letters of Paul, this 32-week study examines the connection between memory and identity as the people of God. Participants will find common themes, including calls to remember, calls to repent, calls for renewal, and calls for community.
  We recommend that you take Covenant or Disciple I before Disciple III.
• Disciple IV: Under the Tree of Life
  The phrase, “under the tree of life,” conveys the promise of finding shelter, security, and rest in God’s love. In this 32-week study of Old Testament writings, the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John, James, and Jude, and finally Revelation, participants will see the entire process of living toward final completion of rest and reward.
  We recommend that you take Covenant or Disciple I before Disciple IV.
• Jesus in the Gospels
  Known as a “Second Generation Disciple Study,” this 30-week study looks at the four gospels side-by-side and asks the question, "Who is the Jesus that you see?” As a group, participants encounter Jesus who is both hard to ignore and hard to put in a box.
  We recommend that you take Covenant or Disciple I before Jesus in the Gospels.
• Christian Believer: Knowing God With Heart and Mind
  This 30-week study focuses on “orthodox” theology using the Bible along with the writings, symbols, and hymns of patriarchs and matriarchs of the Christian faith.
  We recommend that you take Covenant or Disciple I before Christian Believer.

For more information about long-term, in-depth studies of the Bible like the above, contact Deacon Troy Sims (  or 757-229-1771).