When: Sundays, Sept 15, 22, 27, and Oct 6, 12:15pm
Where: Rm 303

Care to get to know the busy life of WUMC better? Are you perhaps curious about joining your story with that of our historic church? We invite you to attend this "get connected" discussion of ways to engage with one another and in the life and ministry at Williamsburg UMC.

Questions? Contact Deacon Troy Sims ( ), Pastor Meghan Roth Clayton ( ), or Pastor Dave Rochford ( ) or call at 757-229-1771.

LET US KNOW YOU’RE COMING!

When: Sundays at 9:30am beginning Sept 15
Where: Room 102

The gospel according to John offered its first hearers a new language – of being born from above, of living water, of wind and spirit – insights that enhance how we understand the divine, how we experience the world, and how we participate in the mystery of faith. The Bishop McKendree Sunday School Class invites you to participate in the study of this important book led by Rev. Charles Swadley using the new book written by Amy-Jill Levine. To get connected to the class leaders, contact Deacon Troy Sims ( ).

Set Free to Live Free! - a Thoughtful Consideration of Paul’s Letter to the Galatians

When & Where

• Wednesdays, beginning September 18 from 7:00-8:30pm in Rm 103 &
• Thursdays, beginning September 19 from 10:30-12:00pm via Zoom

Join Pastor Dave and a cheery band of travelers for a journey back to the time when the Christian faith was strange, challenging, and radically new! We will spend six weeks on an intensive study of Galatians, one of the very earliest writings of the New Testament (dating to about the year 49 AD). We will also pause to consider fundamentally-relevant questions that all us humans face:

• What does it mean to be free?
• How do you enjoy freedom?
• How can a person be good…and how good do you have to be to avoid trouble and still be "free?"

Concerned with essential, shaping realities of the Christian life, Paul’s Letter to the Galatians is full of wisdom, encouragement - and some rather sharp cautionary notes!

As our nation wrestles with notions of personal and political freedom this Fall, consider joining us for an in-person Wednesday night study at 7pm in Rm 103 (downstairs in our Education wing) or on-line Thursday mornings (on Zoom, from 10:30am). No book is needed except your Bible! Expect to enjoy the trip, be challenged, and discover that the Christian faith is still strange, challenging, and radically new!

With any questions, contact Pastor Dave Rochford ( ) or Deacon Troy Sims ( ).

THIS CLASS IS FULL, but contact Deacon Troy Sims to be put on a waiting list in case anyone drops.

When: 4 Thursdays, 6:30-7:30pm beginning Sept 19
Where: Room 206 (Resource Rm)

Think about your prayer life. Do you struggle with a short attention span, a restless body, or a tendency to live in your head? Are you bored with the same old prayers? This may be a way to invigorate your prayer life and approach God in a new and meaningful way, bringing a sense of fun and delight into your prayer time. Join Gwen Hinton & Linda Upshaw to learn about and practice Praying in Color. All you need is a copy of the book, Praying in Color by Sybil MacBeth, paper, and colored pencils (you can also augment with gel pens or markers). Space is limited, so register soon! To get connected to the class leaders, contact Deacon Troy Sims ( ).

FOR MORE INFO or TO REGISTER

Biblical Conversations About Race/Ethnicity (BCARE) groups are designed to facilitate meaningful, Biblically-based conversations about race and ethnicity among individuals of different ethnic backgrounds and skin colors. The book, One Blood: Parting Words to the Church on Race and Love by Dr. John M. Perkins is used as the foundation for the conversations in a focus on God’s call for unity in God's Kingdom and what the Bible actually says about race, ethnicity, and justice.

The BCARE experience involves 8 weeks of group meetings for discussion, and groups are limited to 12 people with the intention of keeping them balanced in terms of age, race, and ethnicity. The greater your flexibility in terms of days / times of group meetings increases the opportunity of being placed in one of the upcoming groups scheduled for September 2024.

If interested, please complete the form below to have your contact information added to the database, and your request will be shared with the BCARE leadership. You will receive an email invitation to our next round of BCARE groups and notification.

Although this group is not led by WUMC, we support this important work of breaking down the walls of racism and are grateful for the WUMC folks who have take part in previous groups.

REGISTER NOW

When: Sundays, 2:00-3:30pm beginning Oct 20
Where: Room 352

This is a 24-week, in-depth study of the entire story of the Bible based around the theme of “covenant.” Together, we’ll learn from our biblical ancestors how to create, live, and trust God's covenant with us, finding ways to live more fully into that Covenant. But more than a Bible study, it's also a time to learn how to do Bible study. No previous study background required. Space is limited, though! Each participant will need a Study Guide. We encourage you to purchase the guide for yourself (we'll email you links to where it is available), or the church can order you a copy for $45. For more info, contact Deacon Troy Sims (757-229-1771, x258 or ) who will be leading the study.

SIGN UP NOW!

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).