This winter, 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 making your way around the bases.

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 January 18, 2009. This is an extension of our original January 11 date.

New Members Class	Leader: Revs. Jimmy Cooper & Glen Lashley	Location: Parlor
(1st Base)	Dates: 1/18/09-2/8/09	Cost: Free
	Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.	Day: Sundays

Join Rev. Glen and Rev. Jimmy as they prepare you for membership at First U.M.C. This class will cover the basics of United Methodist history, doctrine and polity as well as membership expectations. All newcomers are invited. Everyone interested in joining our church is strongly encouraged to take this class.

A Life Worth Living	Leader: Mike Menefee
(1st Base)	Dates: 1/21/09-3/18/09	Cost: $5
	Time: 6:00-8:00 p.m.	Day: Wednesdays

This nine week course is based on Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Each week includes an engaging DVD talk, given by Nicky Gumbel, that explains how it is possible to live the Christian life positively, practically, and joyfully. Although all are welcome, this material is aimed specifically at those who are starting out in the Christian life. Dinner will be provided.

Mall Walking Bible Study	Leader: Rev. Debby Bartley	Location: Mid-Rivers Mall
(2nd Base)	Start Date: 1/22/09	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 30-40 minutes 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.

Parenting Small Group	Leaders: Rick and Karen Bahr
(2nd Base)	Dates: 1/18/09-3/8/09	Cost: $10
	Time: 4:30-6:00 p.m.	Day: Sundays

This class will be using Biblically based, practically driven curriculum geared for parents of all shapes and sizes. If you are looking for support and encouragement as you seek to faithfully parent your kids, then this is the class for you.

Living Fully, Dying Well	Leader: Rev. Robin Roderick
(3rd Base)	Dates: 1/22/09-3/26/09	Cost: $10
	Time: 10-11:30 a.m. or 6:30-8:00 p.m.	Day: Thursdays

Our best decisions about life’s important events are seldom made in a time of crisis. Living Fully, Dying Well is a class designed to assist us in making careful, wise and prayerful preparation for meeting life’s important moments. In this study, based on the curriculum from Rueben Job, participants will learn how to face openly and unafraid the benefits and limitations of aging and end of life decisions.

Invitation to the New Testament	Leader: Rev. Jimmy Cooper & Dan Hopmann
(3rd Base)	Dates: 1/20/09-3/10/09	Cost: $10
	Time: 10:00-11:30 a.m. or 6:30-8:00 p.m.	Day: Tues. a.m. or Wed. p.m.

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.

Book-A-Month Club	Leader: Stephanie Bearce	Location: Bearce Home
(Home Base)	Dates: 1/08/09-Ongoing	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 2nd Thursday of each month at the home of Stephanie Bearce. There are no fees, but participants will be responsible for the purchase price of a book each month. Past books include Mistaken Identity, Amish Grace, My Soul to Keep, and A Can of Peas. Our book discussion for January will be Two from Galilee by Marjorie Holmes.

A Generous Orthodoxy	Leader: Rev. Glen Lashley
(Home Base)	Start Date: Week of 1/19/09	Cost: $15
	Time: Mornings or afternoons - TBD	Day: Mon./ Tue./ Wed. - TBD

In a sweeping exploration of belief, author Brian McLaren takes us across the landscape of faith, envisioning an orthodoxy that aims for Jesus, is driven by love, and is defined by missional intent. A Generous Orthodoxy rediscovers the mysterious and compelling ways that Jesus can be embraced across the entire Christian horizon. Rather than establishing what is and is not “orthodox,” McLaren walks through the many traditions of faith, bringing to the center a way of life that draws us closer to Christ and each other. Whether you find yourself inside, outside, or somewhere on the fringe of Christianity, A Generous Orthodoxy draws you toward a way of living that looks beyond the “us/them” paradigm to the blessed and ancient paradox of “we.” By celebrating strengths of many traditions in the church, this book and study will seek to communicate “a generous orthodoxy.”