This summer, First United Methodist Church (FUMC) is offering a wide variety of exciting classes designed to help you grow in Christ. No matter where you are at in your faith journey, we are committed to assisting you in helping you on your path.

Costs below cover the cost of materials for classes (generally a text). If you are interested in enrolling in any of these courses, you may sign up by e-mailing your name, phone number, whether you need child care, and the courses you are interested in to Rev. Jimmy Cooper at jcooper@fumcstcharles.org. Alternatively, you can fill out and turn in the form in your Church bulletin on Sundays. Please submit your information by May 24, 2009.

Prayer Shawl Group	Leader: Nancy Cooper	Location: TBD
[Basic]	Dates: 6/10/09-ongoing	Cost: Needles
	Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.	Day: Wednesdays

Do you knit or crochet? Ever wanted to learn? Well, here’s your opportunity to put those skills to great use. Join Nancy Cooper as she begins a prayer shawl group, meeting on Wednesday nights beginning June 10th. You will need to bring your own needles but we will supply the yarn for the first shawls. Prayer shawls are given to people who are in need. Someone who is in the hospital or experiencing grief will find comfort in a shawl that was made in prayer. The group will meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and the focus will simply be prayer and creation of shawls to be given away. Each week we will pray over and bless the completed shawls which Pastor Debby will keep to be given out as needed. For more information, please call or email Nancy at 636-947-0066 or nancybcooper@sbcglobal.net.

Hanging with the Coopers	Leader: Rev. Jimmy Cooper and Nancy Cooper	Location: TBD
[Intermediate]	Dates: 6/9/09-7/28/09	Cost: $10
	Time: 12:00-1:30 p.m.	Day: Tuesdays

Just to set the record straight, “No, we are not twins, husband and wife, or mother and son.” Nevertheless, we would love for you to spend your summer “hanging with the Coopers.” Nancy and Pastor Jimmy will be leading this small group that will meet on Tuesdays at noon for lunch and Bible study. We will be doing an eight week introduction to the New Testament. Using Matthew’s Gospel as a starting point, this study explores how the New Testament writers and the early Christian community wrestled with the coming of Jesus—his life, actions, mission, death, and resurrection—and the implications of his arrival for their lives and their communities of faith. Who is Jesus and what is His significance for our lives? Participants are invited to join this conversation, to study afresh this story of Jesus, and to learn more about their calling to discipleship and to community.

Mall Walking Bible Study	Leader: Rev. Debby Bartley	Location: Mid-Rivers Mall
[Basic]	Dates: 6/11/09-ongoing	Cost: $20
	Time: 8:30 a.m.	Day: Thursdays

Mall walking anyone? Join Rev. Debby at Mid Rivers Mall on Thursday mornings and spend some time walking for your physical AND spiritual health as we “walk” through the Bible in 2009. We’ll meet in the food court at 8:30 a.m. for an hour of Bible study. You are free to walk at your own pace either before or after our study time. All ages and “speeds” are welcome—power walkers, window-shopping walkers, parents pushing babies in strollers, older adults with walkers—we can all benefit from spending some time walking with God! The $20 cost covers your Daily Walk Bible.

Themes of Grace	Leaders: Rev. Robin Roderick	Location: TBD
[Basic]	Dates: 6/25/09 for six weeks	Cost: $10
	Time: 10-11:30 a.m. or 6:30-8 p.m.	Day: Thursdays

Pastor Robin will be leading this women’s group that will explore The Shack by William P. Young. This small group will begin meeting the week of June 22nd and will meet for 6 weeks. Pastor Robin is open to doing this class on either Wednesday or Thursday, depending upon who is interested and when the best time is for the folks involved.

Grief Support Small Group Study	Leader: Rev. Debby Bartley	Location: Church Parlor
[Basic]	Dates: 6/15/09-8/31/09	Cost: $15
	Time: 9:30-11:30 a.m.	Day: Mondays

This study is based on Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt’s book entitled “Understanding Your Grief.” Whether you are grieving someone who died recently or died a while ago, please join us. Hopefully through this study and fellowship with others that are also journeying through their grief, you will find comfort and support. The cost of the class is $15. It will meet on Mondays from 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the Parlor. It will be facilitated by Rev. Debby. This group will run from 6/15/2009-8/31/2009.

Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman	Leader: Kate Katzer & Denise Carmichael	Location: TBD
[Intermediate]	Dates: 6/3/09-8/5/09	Cost: $15
	Time: 9:00-11:30 a.m.	Day: Tues. a.m. or Wed. p.m.

You will not want to miss this upcoming summer study for women—Beth Moore’s brand new study on Esther. Esther, though a queen, lived as an outsider in a hostile environment. Her life offers an example for today’s woman who finds it difficult to live in someone’s else shadow, to see physical beauty take precedence over character, to face life-altering decisions, to move from self-preservation to brave determination, and to see mean-spirited people prevail. You will learn strong lessons of faith that will equip you to live a courageous life. This group will be led by Kate Katzer and Denise Carmichael. Childcare will be available and the children will study the book of Esther as well. This group will meet on Wednesdays from 9-11:30 a.m. starting June 3rd. The study will last until August 5. The cost of the class is $15, which covers the workbook materials.

Book-A-Month Club	Leader: Stephanie Bearce	Location: Bearce Home
[Basic]	Dates: 2nd Thursday each month	Cost: Price of the Books
	Time: 7:00 p.m.	Day: Thursdays

Are you a bookworm? Do you enjoy desserts? If so, this is the class for you. This book discussion group will read one popular Christian book each month, and meet over dessert to discuss the book. Meetings will be held the second Thursday of each month at the home of Stephanie Bearce. There are no fees, but participants will be responsible for the purchase of a book each month. Past books include Mistaken Identity, Amish Grace, My Soul to Keep, A Can of Peas, and Two from Galilee.