Food for the Hungry Soul

Restless? Searching? Hungry?

Looking for nourishment for your soul? At Saint Mark we offer a variety of short-term classes each quarter and several long-term studies beginning each Fall. Find a course that is right for you ... then come to the table and be fed.

Other Classes We Offer

Over the course of a few years Saint Mark church provides a wide variety of both long and short term classes.

Here s a listing of some that we offer on a regular basis:

Long Term

Companions in Christ:
An Experience in Spiritual Formation

• Last offered Fall 2006, 28 weeks

Are you hungry for a deeper experience of God? Are you searching for a safe space, that circle of friends, where you can express your questions & concerns about God & the Christian life, about the Bible & prayer? Would you like to develop your spiritual life but don’t know how? Companions is a small-group experience that builds spiritual practices into our daily & weekly rhythms, helping participants open more fully to God & to one another. Not your typical Bible study, this spiritual journey will invite you into daily time with God through individual reading, reflection, & journaling, & will gather you weekly with others for deeper exploration. You will learn & practice different ways to pray, to read scripture, to discern God’s will, & to give/receive spiritual guidance. As you come to understand you life as a spiritual journey, you will find invaluable practices & faithful companions to enrich your life along the way. Participants of Companions describe the experience as powerfully life-transforming. Come & see for yourself!

Disciple I: Becoming Disciples through Bible Study

• Last offered Fall 2006, 34 weeks

Disciple I is divided between Old and New Testaments and takes participants from Genesis through Revelation prompting them along the way to consider their human condition and become disciples.

Disciple I is the first study in the Disciple program & is prepared for those who want to know more about God’s word. Disciple I gives the Old & New Testaments equal time emphasizing the wholeness of the Bible as the revelation of God. Disciple calls on persons to submit themselves to examination by Scripture, to put themselves under the power of God’s word & to be transformed by it. Disciple features group discussion of Scripture based on careful study & preparation. Participants are invited to bring their individual experiences & struggles to the group environment. This encourages people to open themselves to hearing what God has to say to them through the Bible & to be guided into their particular calling. Matthew 10: 25-31. Former students laud the Disciple program as it broadens their understanding of the Scripture, strengthens their faith, & connects the Scripture to their lives in a real & significant way.

Disciple II: Into the Word, Into the World

• Last offered Fall 2004, 32 weeks

Disciple 2 is the second study in the Disciple program & is prepared for graduates of Disciple 1. Disciple 2 emphasizes specific portions of Scripture & goes deeper into them through advance study & group participation over 32 weeks. It encourages people to open themselves to hearing what God has to say to them through the Bible & to be guided into their particular calling. The course concentrates on 4 books of the Bible – Genesis, Exodus, Luke & Acts, with 8 lessons for each book. The Old Testament selections surround the Torah & Old Testament traditions. The New Testament selections surround the teachings, sermons, & life of Jesus Christ & the strong movement of the Holy Spirit. Former students laud the Disciple program as it broadens their understanding of the Scripture, strengthens their faith, & connects the Scripture to their lives in a real & significant way. James 1:22-25.

Disciple III: Remember Who you Are

• Last offered Fall 2009, 32 weeks

Remember your roots, consider your past, and renew your vision for the future. This study confronts persistent questions like "What are my priorities?" and "How can I be a part of the obedient community?" Come and study with Paul and the Prophets.

From the very title, you are made aware of the connection between memory and identity as the people of God. The word You in the title is meant to be heard both in its singular form (the individual) and in its plural form (the community). We are a community of memory. Participants in this thirty-two-week study will read the major and minor Old Testament prophets, with the exception of Daniel, and will read the thirteen letters traditionally attributed to Paul. To establish the historical context in which the prophets spoke for God, daily reading assignments also draw on the books of Deuteronomy through Chronicles. Study of the prophets will follow their historical sequence rather than their biblical sequence. The dating of Paul’s letters influences the sequence of their study.

Disciple IV:
Under the Tree of Life

• Last offered Fall 2005, 32 weeks

Have you studied the Bible but still have a growing need to know more? Are you ready to discuss the Bible more in detail with others in your community? In Disciple IV, we look further at the Scriptures, paying particular attention to the Writings in the Old Testament (books not part of the Torah or the Prophets) and the Gospel of John, 1,2, and 3 John, James, Jude and Revelation in the New Testament. We will take an experiential journey through these often misunderstood books. Our study will focus on daily readings and weekly group discussions and will be complemented by the printed study manual and recorded video presentations over the course of 32 weeks. Come and find out more of what God is saying to you.

Jesus in the Gospels

• Last offered Fall 2004, 30 weeks

This course focuses on the portrayals of Jesus found in the four Gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John. This study is not the traditional approach where the life & teachings of Jesus are explored, but rather the focus is on the way each Gospel writer presents events & teachings & at the picture of Jesus that emerges in each Gospel. The promise of the Gospels is to have us grasp enough of what they tell us about Jesus that we can be grasped & formed by Him. The class involves daily reading of scripture & the study manual as well as a weekly meeting for sharing. Expect to be surprised, comforted, & stretched.

Christian Believer: Knowing God with Heart & Mind

• Last offered Fall 2009, 30 weeks

Have you ever sung a hymn or recited a creed and asked, "Why do we say that?" Discover the church's answer to questions that grow out of human life and Christian experience as you study church history and doctrine in this in-depth look at the classical doctrines.

This course is an opportunity to explore how the church was established, how different faiths evolved, how the church defines sacraments, sin, salvation, the Trinity and grace, how the “foul lines” of doctrine are/were established. It gives class members an opportunity to read from significant theological and historical writings, scripture and encourages members’ own thoughts and belief. Members will discuss how God reveals God’s self to us and how the Holy Spirit works in and through the believer. The course is set up in a discussion setting and offers a short weekly video of current theological professors to start that discussion. This is a course that relies on members’ participation, and between whom spiritual ties will be woven over the course of 30 weeks.

Short Term

NOOMA: A Video Series

• Last offered Winter 2008, 6 weeks
• Facilitated by Meg Edmondson

NOOMA are series of short films promoting spiritual perspectives on individual life experiences. The first series feature storyteller Rob Bell. The name NOOMA comes from a phonetic spelling of the Greek word pneuma (πνευμα) meaning 'wind,' 'spirit,' or 'breath.' Each film is about 10 to 14 minutes of teaching related to real-life situations. Each short story covering a specific topic - usually by relating various experiences from a Christian perspective.

Thomas Merton: Bridges to Contemplative Living, Book 2: Becoming Who You Already Are

• Last offered Winter 2008, 8 weeks
• Facilitated by: Bill Rencher

Bridges to Contemplative Living uses passages from the works of Thomas Merton and other spiritual masters to lead participants toward a more contemplative life.

Participants will learn, and use, the technique of contemplative dialogue to further their own spiritual transformation. A majority of class time will be spent in small group discussion, using a series of questions to guide discussion. In this second part of an eight part series, Becoming Who You Already Are, participants will learn to utilize their own life experiences as the primary tool for spiritual growth.

There is no prerequisite for this class, as each segment of the eight part series stands on its own.

Women of the Bible

• Last offered Winter 2008, 6 weeks
• Facilitated by Rev. Mandy Flemming

Take a closer look at the women of the Bible, many who are discussed, but their names never mentioned. Course will cover Eve, Jephtha’s Daughter, Esther and Queen Vashti, Ruth, Mary, and Mary Magdalene. The course will address the attributes of courage, faith, love, wisdom, nerve, and humility in diverse biblical women.

Theology on Tap: An Exploration of Contemporary Writers as Theologians

• Last offered Winter 2008, 6 weeks
• Facilitated by Rev. Mandy Flemming & Presian Burroughs
• Meeting location: Gordon Biersch, 848 Peachtree Street

Theology on Tap is a speaker series that takes place in the fun, relaxed setting of your favorite local pub. "ToT" focuses on different theologians from a variety of times, places, and influence, so as to provide fodder for conversation on topics of faith. The goal is to provide a forum for young adults to learn about and discuss their faith in a relaxing social setting. Readings will include Flannery O’ Connor, Frederick Buechner, Anne Lamott, A.J. Jacobs, and others.

Grace Abounding:
Two Spiritual Journeys

• Last offered Winter 2008, 6 weeks
• Facilitated by Mary Abbott Waite

One of the promises that Jesus makes to his followers is that God is with us always; he will not leave us comfortless. God’s grace and love are free to all, no strings attached. Yet coming to know the manifold ways in which God is with us is a lifelong spiritual journey. Over six weeks of study, we’ll use two powerful and personal records of the presence of God in real life to explore ways in which God is with us. The two books are by Kathleen Norris, Dakota: A Spiritual Geography (a sophisticated NY editor/poet goes to rural Dakota, her grandmother’s home, to teach) and Henri Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son (a personal discovery of what it means to be open to being found by God).

Invitation to the Old Testament

• Last offered Fall 2005, 8 weeks
• Facilitated by Rev. Jimmy Moor

Part of the Disciple Bible Study family, this eight week introduction to the Old Testament is designed for persons who cannot commit to a 34 week Disciple class. It will include daily readings and a group meeting featuring video presentations and group discussions. There’s a place for you!

Serving from the Heart

• Last offered Fall 2005, 8 weeks
• Facilitated by Deborah Born

When and how do you feel most alive, most involved, spiritually touched, or most excited about your involvement? What do you want to accomplish with your life? In Serving From The Heart, discover your own personal uniqueness—your spiritual gifts, your talents, your personality traits, your resources and experiences. Through various assessments, this 8-week study helps ignite your passion and inspire effective service that brings personal fulfillment. Learn how to translate your dreams and desires into real life opportunities to impact your world and the Body of Christ.

Desert Living: Praying with the Early Church

• Last offered Fall 2005, 6 weeks
• Facilitated by Adam Ployd

Come! Journey to the Desert to Pray. Together we will explore the meaning and nature of a Christian life of prayer. Why do we pray? How should we pray? While asking these questions of ourselves and each other, we will listen to the voices of our spiritual ancestors in the early Church, those who abandoned the cities to live and pray in the desert. We will discuss what it means to cultivate ‘the virtues’ and fight against ‘the passions,’ discovering a refreshingly new (yet soberingly old) notion of ‘spiritual warfare’.

Writing Your Life: 
A Creating Writing Experience

• Last offered Fall 2005, 7 weeks
• Facilitated by Rev. Kimberly Broerman

Would you like to discover or unleash your inner writer? Whether it’s long, descriptive e-mails to family and friends, clarifying journal entries, poetry about the view outside your window, or witty pieces about your everyday experiences, writing can be an important window into your own soul and form of self-expression. Join other hopeful or budding writers to find your ‘voice’, develop a writing practice, and share your creative works. Using Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life as a guide, we will explore our own hopes and struggles with writing and ways we might help one another bring out the best of our inner writer. No experience necessary, just a desire to explore and play with words.

Companions in Christ:
The Way of Transforming Discipleship

• Last offered Winter 2006, 6 weeks
• Facilitated by Robert Gilleo

This new six-week Companions in Christ study challenges Christians from a viewpoint of a white South African pastor who has lived through the political changes in that country and experienced with rare vulnerability the spiritual struggles inherent in the process of truth-telling, reconciliation, deep pain, and poverty. This course brings a message of vital, transforming spirituality through knowing who we are, changing from the inside out, listening to the groans of others, and discovering the deep spirituality of belonging. Previous Companions in Christ experience not necessary, but welcome.

Worship Matters

• Last offered Winter 2006, 4 weeks
• Facilitated by Rev. Kimberly Broerman

What exactly are we doing when we worship? What are the parts of a worship service and how are they ordered? What is the meaning of the different liturgical seasons and colors? What’s “liturgical” mean in the first place? What’s the lectionary? How is United Methodist worship different from other traditions? How do we understand the sacraments of baptism and communion? What do folks mean when they talk about “contemporary” versus “traditional” worship? What kind of worship style do we have at Saint Mark? What goes into planning a worship service? If you’ve ever had these questions or others about worship, join me for this interactive, informative class. I hope understanding more about why we do what we do in worship will do no less than transform the way you experience worship each Sunday morning.

Discovering the Book: Basics of the Bible

• Last offered Winter 2006, 6 weeks
• Facilitated by Rev. Jimmy Moor & Adam Ployd

What is the Bible? How do you find anything in there? Is it one book or many? Does the first part really matter? How did we get it? Is it true? How do we use it? Bring these questions and all others you might have to this introductory look at the Book. We will explore the content, history, and use of the Bible. This course is especially intended for those of us with little to no familiarity with our rich, yet often confusing, scriptures.

Our Reconciling Journey

• Last offered Winter 2006, 9 weeks
• Facilitated by Rev. Phillip Thomason

Many gay and lesbian Christians come to a crossroads: we can either embrace our sexuality, or we can embrace our Christian discipleship. For many this seems impossible. During this study, we will deepen our Christian discipleship by hopefully integrating our sexuality and our faith in Christ

Judas and the Da Vinci Code:
What's Left for Jesus and the Church?

• Last offered Summer 2006, 3 weeks
• Facilitated by Rev. Jimmy Moor

With the recent publication of Gospel of Judas and the release of The Da Vinci Code movie- following the phenomenal success of the book - many thoughtful people are raising questions about Jesus, the authority of the Bible, and the origins of the Christian faith. This class will explore those questions, using the books and the movie as a jumping-off point. Questioners welcome.

Let Your Life Speak:
A Course on Vocation for Young Adults

• Last offered Summer 2006, 5 weeks
• Facilitated by Rev. Kimberly Broerman

What do you want to do with your life?  Ever been asked that question?  Ever been haunted by it? There are lots of voices telling us to be and do all kinds of things. How do we know which to trust and to heed? How do we live and work in ways that are purposeful and life-giving? As people of faith, we may sense that God has created and called us to certain work in this world, but how do we know what it is? If you are twenty/ thirty something and exploring questions of vocation, this class if for you! Come learn how to let your life speak and to listen to others who are doing the same. We’ll be talking about Parker Palmer’s illuminating work Let Your Life Speak, as well as writings of other spiritual thinkers on the topic of vocation.

Soul Survivor:
How My Faith Survived the Church

• Last offered Summer 2006, 6 weeks
• Facilitated by Bentley Ponder & Dana Rickman

Have you ever been abused or turned off by the institutional church?  Do you question if the Christian faith is really “good” news? Do you want to meet companions who witness to and model a life-enhancing rather than life-restricting Christian faith? In this in-depth book study we will read, discuss, and explore Phillip Yancey’s book Soul Survivor: How My Faith Survived the Church. Yancey will introduce us to thirteen other remarkable people from Martin Luther King, Jr. and Leo Tolstoy to Annie Dillard and Henri Nouwen. We will discuss how these wise spiritual companions and their writings and life’s witness impact our own faith journey as well as Yancey’s.

The Gospel According to the Simpsons

• Last offered Summer 2006, 5 weeks
• Facilitated by Adam Ployd

The Gospel According to the Simpsons will be a fun class focusing on aspects of faith found in everyone's favorite pop culture family, the Simpsons. As the program and its characters have matured, many viewers have seen a fundamental affirmation of spirituality, family and community life that emerges in spite of the sarcasm and exaggerated situations. Sessions are devoted to important characters Homer, Lisa, Ned Flanders, Reverend Lovejoy, Krusty and Apu and the faiths they represent, as well as to issues such as images of God, the Bible, prayer and ethics. We will gather, watch an episode or two, and discuss what it has to say about prayer, sin, death, holiness, and everything in between!

Getting Real:
Thoughts on Faith with Anne Lamott

• Last offered Summer 2006, 4 weeks
• Facilitated by Tamie Cook & Bob Wood

Anne Lamott does not claim to have all the answers like many spiritual leaders today; in fact she asks way more questions than she answers. From stories of free hams to the 'debacle' of the Bush re-election, in Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith, Anne finds hope and despair in it all.  Join us for a month of asking the questions and exploring Anne’s quirky and unorthodox walk of faith. If traditional church and approaches to spirituality have led you to abandon your search, discover with us why asking the question is not only ok, but often leads us to answers we never thought we’d find.

Living the Questions

• Last offered Fall 2006, 13 weeks
• Facilitated by Jim Easton & Gregory Hendricks

Living the Questions is a 12-week group study that explores beyond the traditions and rote theologies in which many people and local churches seem stuck. According to Tex Sample, the program “comes as a breath of fresh air” for mainstream Christians who have grown weary of the far-right’s tendency to politicize the faith and reduce it to two or three issues. Designed for moderate to liberal Christians, the course strives to create an open environment where participant’s learn to understand faith as a journey into the rich mystery of God. Topics include: Thinking Theologically, Evil and a God of Love: The Place of Suffering, Social Justice and the Prophets, and Challenges Facing Progressive Christianity. The DVD’s and group study structure are designed to stimulate discussion among participants, leading them to rediscover the relevance of Christianity in the 21st century and consider what a meaningful faith can look like in today’s world.

Click here for video information on YouTube.

Theology on Tap

• Last offered Fall 2006, 9 weeks
• facilitated by Rev. Kimberly Broerman,
  Brad Gibson & Bentley Ponder, met at Park Tavern

Need a refreshing break in middle of the week? Are you thirsty for lively conversation? Hungry to know more about the great theological minds of the past 2000 years? Eager to have a more theologically enlightened mind yourself? Then join us for Theology on Tap this fall. Each week, we will serve up a different influential Christian thinker: Deitrich Bonhoeffer, Thomas Merton, Julian of Norwich, Thomas More, Paul Tillich, Georgia Harkness, Howard Thurman, Phillip Yancey and Barbara Brown Taylor. We will read brief excepts from their writings, learn about their lives, and discuss how their views of God challenge, broaden and deepen our own. Our hope is to come away with a fuller, richer understanding of God, and an appreciation for lively theological conversation. So join us on Hump Day at the Park Tavern for the time-honored tradition of talking theology around the tavern table.

Honest to God:
Finding Your Way in Prayer

• Last offered Fall 2006, 7 weeks
• Facilitated by Rev. Kimberly Broerman

As children, many of us learned the prayers “Now I lay me down to sleep” and “God is great, God is good.” As adults, we may not be so clear on what or how to pray. We may desire a deeper connection with God, but find the prayer practices we know empty or formulaic. How can we create a prayer life that is vital and life-giving, that fits us as uniquely created by God? In this class, we will explore different ways to pray, involving words and silence, mind and imagination, body and creativity, scripture and community. Each week we will discuss and then “try on” a different prayer practice: lectio divina (sacred reading of scripture), the Jesus prayer, breath prayer, body prayer, walking the labyrinth, praying with the psalms, the examen, and centering prayer. These are prayer practices that have sustained people of faith for thousands of years. Come find out how these approaches can broaden and deepen your own prayer life. No knowledge or experience necessary. Come as you are!

Beginnings:
An Introduction to the Christian Faith

• Last offered Fall 2006, 9 weeks
• Facilitated by Pastor Jimmy Moor

Beginnings is a small-group experience where folks can ask questions about the Christian faith, explore their relationship with God, and form or deepen their commitment to Christ and Christian community. The twelve sessions explore some of life’s deepest questions: So Is This All there is? Who is Jesus and Why Should I Care? What Happens When I Die? Can I Trust God? If I Don’t Feel Lost, Why Do I Need to Be Found? Can I Start Again? How Can I Make a Life and Not Just a Living? and more. If you would like to learn more about the basics of the Christian faith, Begninnings is a great place to begin!

Companions in Christ:
The Way of Forgiveness

• Last offered Fall 2006, 9 weeks
• Facilitated by Jackie Watson

It takes a lot of willingness and practice to see life from God's perspective. Perhaps nothing goes more against the grain of human nature than the ideas of forgiving those who wound us and accepting forgiveness from others. Explore how to deal with these issues to preserve "the beauty of our souls" and to fulfill the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount. We will break down the transformational process by first examining shame, guilt, and anger before turning to forgiveness and reconciliation. The weekly themes include Living in God's Blessing, Releasing Shame & Guilt, Facing Our Anger, Transforming Anger, Receiving God's Forgiveness, Forgiving Others, Seeking Reconciliation, and Becoming the Beloved Community. If you are touched by any of these topics, then this is the class for you!

More Music Matters

• Last offered Summer 2007, 3 weeks
• Facilitated by Rev. Jimmy Moor

Meet for a chance to share music that speaks to our hearts and tells a story. All you need to participate is a love of music - any kind - and a CD or two to share.

Listening for God

• Last offered Summer 2007, 6 weeks
• Facilitated by Bentley Ponder & Dana Rickman

Join friends from Saint Mark and meet new ones from First Presbyterian to discuss how we can listen for God in contemporary literature and in the world around us. This collection of short stories and essays by eight contemporary American authors challenges adults to investigate how life and faith merge in surprising ways and places. Representing widely diverse backgrounds, this class will feature works by John Updike, Anne Tyler, Louis Gates, Jr., Tobias Wolff, Gail Godwin and others.

Picnic in the Park

• Last offered Summer 2007, 4 weeks
• Facilitated by Kris Holbrook

At Picnic in the Park we’ll feed our souls with some “lighter” fare. Bring a blanket/chair, a picnic, your favorite beverage, and your own insights and experiences on topics such as joy, happiness, beauty, grace, peace, and gratitude. We’ll have a gathering time from 6:30 to 7:00 and then enjoy our picnics and conversation guided by a facilitator. Specific topics and questions for reflection will be provided in advance by email to those who register. Directions on how to find our gathering place at Piedmont Park will also be made available before the first meeting. Come enjoy the outdoors, good company, and good conversation at Picnic in the Park!

Thomas Merton:
Bridges to Contemplative Living

• Last offered Fall 2007, 7 weeks
• Facilitated by Bill Top

The Bridges to Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton series invites users to personal spiritual transformation for the sake of a more just and peaceful world. Each eight-session booklet offers an introduction to Merton and contemplative living, prayers, readings from Merton and other spiritual writers, and questions for dialogue. Book One: Entering the School of Your Experience helps readers explore what contemplative living and contemplative dialogue means while moving them forward in their journey toward spiritual transformation. While the series uses Merton as a starting point, it seeks most of all to mine the spiritual depths of those who use it.

Theology on Tap: Round Two

• Last offered Fall 2007, 9 weeks
• Facilitated by Rev. Mandy Flemming & friends

Theology on Tap is a speaker series that takes place in the fun, relaxed setting of your favorite local pub. "ToT" focuses on different theologians from a variety of times, places, and influence, so as to provide fodder for conversation on topics of faith. The goal is to provide a forum for young adults to learn about and discuss their faith in a relaxing social setting.

Earth Trek: Celebrating and Sustaining God's Creation

• Last offered Fall 2007, 7 weeks
• Facilitated by Shane Totten & Rev. Mandy Flemming

Based on Genesis 1 story of creation, Joanne Moyer uses the seven days of creation as a basis for exploring the aspects of our created world, how it is threatened, what is being done to protect it, and further actions that individuals, households, and congregations can take to live more sustainably. Moyer also explores how ecological concern and justice relate to Christian faith, delving into the Bible and a broad range of thinkers and writers to discover and celebrate the ecological imperative of our faith tradition.

Discover Class Series

Our Discover Class series is intended to help you learn more - about your church and yourself! Whether you are brand new to Saint Mark or have been a member for many years, come discover the answers to some of your questions. Join us for one or more classes in our Discover Saint Mark Series.

September 7 – Discover United Methodism! (Jimmy/Josh)
Want to find out more about the United Methodist Church? Join our Senior Pastor, Rev. Jimmy Moor for a look back at the history of the UMC, its practices and its principles.

September 14 – Discover Saint Mark! (Phillip/Archives)
Want to know more about the history of our church? Join the Archives Committee for a walking tour of Saint Mark. Learn your way around the church and hear the “Saint Mark story.”

September 21 – Discover Your Community! (Phillip/Josh)
Join us for an informal discussion about the Saint Mark community of faith and our various missions and ministries.

September 28 - Discover Your Gifts! (Mandy)
Romans 12:6 reminds us that we have different gifts, according to the grace given to us. Come discover where at Saint Mark you can share the gifts that God has given you.

• Sundays, 10:10-11 am,
• September 7-28 (4 weeks)
• Facilitators: Revs. Jimmy Moor, Phillip Thomason, Mandy Flemming, Josh Noblitt
• Meeting Location: the Parlor
• Cost: No charge
• Register now! Please include course name, your name, email addresses, & phone numbers.

Theology on Tap: 2-Part Series

Come for a spirited and non-partisan discussion about the intersection of our faith and politics. Part 1 will be a book study of God’s Politics by Jim Wallace. Part 2 will be a discussion-based format examining the speeches and writings of Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr, Barak Obama, & John McCain. How does faith operate in the public sphere, even in a society with "separation of church and state"? How can Christians faithfully engage in the political system? Do we (should we) care about our President's religious beliefs?

Part 1: God’s Politics, by Jim Wallis

• Wednesdays, 7:45-9:15 pm,
• September 17-October 8 (4 weeks)
• Facilitators: Rev. Mandy Flemming and Katie Olliff
• Meeting Location: Cypress Street Pint and Plate
• Cost: your bar tab!
• Register now! Please include course name, your name, email addresses, & phone numbers.

Part 2: Faith and Politics

• Wednesdays, 7:45-9:15 pm
• October 15-November 5 (4 weeks)
• Facilitators: Katie Olliff and Rev. Mandy Flemming
• Meeting Location: Cypress Street Pint and Plate
• Cost: your bar tab!
• Register now! Please include course name, your name, email addresses, & phone numbers.

Ten Prayers God Always Says Yes To

There have been thousands of books written about prayer and millions of sermons preach about it, yet people continue to wonder: Why doesn’t God answer me when I cry out to him? In light of all the problems we face in life, we want to know why God is often so “silent” when we pray to him. Author Anthony DeStefano set out on a quest to find prayers that God says yes to ALL THE TIME. The result is an extraordinary book that has the ability to dramatically change the lives of reader of all faiths.

Each short, powerful prayer in this book addresses a particular problem people commonly face in life—from accepting the existence of God to trying to make ends meet; from getting through terrible suffering to coping with everyday stress; from overcoming fear to finding your God-given destiny. These prayers will help readers find solutions to life’s most difficult situations and provide meaningful and inspiring answers to the vexing questions we have about the purpose of our time on earth.

• Tuesdays, 7-8:30 pm
• 5 weeks beginning September 23
• Facilitators: Matthew Malok & Terry Davis
• Cost: $15 for book
• Meeting Location: Room 205

Living the United Methodist Way

Join Rev. Jimmy Moor as he presents how we can be faithful Christians, living in the Wesleyan tradition. Based on principles found in Bishop Reuben Job’s book, Three Simple Rules, Rev. Moor will be discussing what it means to live out our faith in our denomination.

• Sundays, 4:30-6 pm
• 4 weeks beginning October 5
• Facilitator: Rev. Jimmy Moor
• Cost: $15 for book
• Meeting Location: Room 111

Low Carbon Diet

This “30 Day Program to Lose 5000 Pounds” is a fun, accessible, easy to use guide that will show you, step-by-step, how to dramatically reduce your CO2 output in just a month’s time. Grounded in over two decades of environmental behavior change research, this illustrated workbook offers much more than a list of eco-friendly actions. It walks you through every step of the process, from calculating your current CO2 “footprint” to tracking your progress.

By making simple changes to actions you take every day, you’ll learn how to reduce your annual household CO2 output by at least 15%. And, for those who are more ambitious, you’ll discover how you can help your workplace, local schools, and community do the same.

• Sundays, 10:10-11:10 am
• October 5-26 (4 weeks)
• Facilitators: Shane Totten & Shannon Bergstrom
• Cost: $15 for book

Women of the Bible

All are welcome! Bring a Bible (and snacks!) for this lively discussion of some of the lost characters in our Bible’s narrative. This course will discuss Eve, Miriam, Jezebel, Bathsheba, Job’s Wife, the Hemorrhaging woman, and the Woman at the Well.

• Sundays, 10:10-11:10 am
• October 5 – November 23 (8 weeks)
• Facilitators: Rhiannon O’Connor and Katie Olliff
• Meeting Location: Room 204
• Cost: no charge
• Register now! Please include course name, your name, email addresses, & phone numbers.
• Meeting Location: Room 204

Living the Questions

Living the Questions is a 12-week DVD and web-based small group study exploring beyond the traditions and rote theologies in which so many people and local churches seem to be stuck. Ideal for Christian invitation, initiation and spiritual formation, Living the Questions will help seekers and "church alumni/ae" alike in discovering the significance of Christianity in the 21st Century and what a meaningful faith can look like in today's world.

The format of each 1½ hour session includes a shared meal, video, guided discussion, spiritual exercises and Bible study. Ongoing themes will include:

• Biblical authority
• Metaphor and how it shapes us
• The Jesus/Christ dichotomy
• What does faith look like in the 21st Century?

The 30 minute videos for each session will include conversation, sermon clips, lecture excerpts, and spiritual exercises for practical applications. Since the overall theme is that of faith as a journey, not a destination, the Living the Questions web site will offer resources for continued exploration, including downloadable expanded study guides, extra video resources, and links.

Click here for video information on YouTube.

• Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 pm
• 13 weeks beginning October 8
• Facilitator: Laura Arnold
• Cost: $25 for book

Parenting with Love and Logic and Faith

A guide for parents with children of any age on how to approach your child with love, kindness, compassion and sympathy. We’ll take this popular book and discuss its intersection with our life of faith. Purchasing the book is optional, but suggested.

• Sundays, 10:10-11:10 am
• November 9 & 16 (2 weeks)
• Facilitators: Rev. Mandy Flemming & Ashley Johnson
• Cost: $15 for book

Theology on Tap:
My Year of Living Biblically, A.J. Jacobs

• 4 weeks, Wednesdays, 7:45-9:15 pm
• February 4—February 25
• Gordon Biersch
• Facilitated by Rev. Mandy Flemming

Join us for casual but serious conversation about what the Good Book tells us to do and not do. How much do we take literally? How much is up for interpretation? What happens when we decide to take the Bible seriously and *actually* do what it says. We’ll use A.J. Jacob’s lively book as a springboard for conversation on what the Bible means for us today.

Discover Saint Mark! Class

• 4 weeks, Sundays, 10:10 am
• February 1—22
• The Parlor

Our Discover Class series is intended to help you learn more - about your church and yourself. Whether you are brand new to Saint Mark or have been a member for many years, come discover the answers to some of your questions. Join us for one or more classes in our Discover Saint Mark Series. These four-week classes are held on a regular basis every few months. All classes will be held in the Parlor during the Christian Growth hour (10:10 am).

Discover United Methodism (February 1 with Revs. Jimmy Moor & Josh Noblitt): Want to find out more about the United Methodist Church? Join Rev. Jimmy Moor for a look back at the history of the United Methodist Church, its practices and its principles.

Discover Saint Mark (February 8 with Rev. Phillip Thomason & an Archives Committee representative): Want to know more about the history of our church? Join the Archives Committee for a campus walking tour

Discover Your Community (February 15 with Revs. Phillip Thomason & Josh Noblitt): Join us for an informal discussion about the Saint Mark community of faith and our various missions and ministries.

Discover Your Gifts (February 22 with Rev. Mandy Flemming): Romans 12:6 reminds us that we have different gifts, according to the grace given Come discover where at Saint Mark you can share the gifts that God has given you.

Reading Scripture As Scripture

• 4 weeks, Thursdays, 7 pm
• February 26—March 19
• Facilitated by Adam Ployd

The Bible is strange, unsettling, and sometimes offensive. The Bible is also the life-giving scripture that has been read and wrestled with by the Church for two thousand years. During these four weeks, we will journey together with each other and the text, exploring different ways to read and hear the Word of God, encouraging one another to not let go until we have received a word of blessing, a glimpse into the love of God that calls to us through these strange and difficult pages. Our reading will focus on the Gospel of John, a text we often view with suspicion today but which has proved particularly enlightening and fruitful for the theological heart and imagination of Christians for many centuries.

A Lenten Journey Through the Psalms

• 6 weeks, Sundays, 10:10 am
• March 1—April 12
• Facilitated by Katie Olliff

The Psalms have been called a school of prayer--they are not simply a collection of prayers but lessons in how to pray. Through reading the Psalms (all 150!) as a daily Lenten spiritual discipline, we can approach God as whole persons and find in the Psalms different kinds of prayers to God that leave no emotion behind-- fear, anger, joy, despair, thanksgiving, bewilderment, grief, and hope. In this 7 week course (starting the first Sunday after Ash Wednesday and concluding on Easter Sunday) we will gather weekly to share our Lenten journey together in community and discover new ways to read and understand the Psalms as we learn more about their history, structure, theology, purpose, and creative artistry.

Knitting for the Hungry Soul: The Divine Knitter

• 6 weeks, Sundays, 10:10 am
• March 1—April 5
• The Parlor
• Facilitated by Maggie Byrne & Mandy Flemming

For the beginner or advanced knitter (crochet is welcome, too!), we invite you to gather for some basic instruction and encouragement as we build fellowship and community through creating with your hands and learning from each other. We’ll begin with projects to develop basic knitting and purling skills, and work towards the creation of gifts that can be shared and blessed into ministry. Each session will begin with prayer over our projects and those who will receive the items we create. We will work to donate items to a prayer shawl ministry, or to those in need of comfort and care as we work on creating chemo caps, baby blankets, or prayer shawls. All are welcome, and we encourage you to bring some yarn for inspiration (and the corresponding needles) to our first meeting.

Miracles in the Vegetable Garden

• 5 weeks, Sundays, 10:10 am
• March 15—April 5 and April 19
• Facilitated by Julie Moor

Beginning vegetable gardening ideas from picking a garden location and soil preparation to seed and plant selection to harvest.

	Theology on Tap 7 weeks, Wednesdays February 10 - March 24 Facilitated by Rev. Mandy Flemming Location: Vickery's on Crescent Cost: price of book AND your bar tab Join us for a good book, good fellowship, and good conversation around where we see God in our lives. Check back for more details.
	Knitting for the Hungry Soul: The Divine Knitter Beginning Monday, March 1, on alternating Monday nights and Sunday mornings Facilitated by Maggie Byrne and Rev. Mandy Flemming Gather with us for some basic instruction and encouragement as we build fellowship and community through creating and learning from each other. Knitters of all levels are welcome. Bring some yarn for inspiration (and the corresponding needles) to our first meeting. Monday, March 1, 7 pm, at Mandy Flemming’s home Sunday, March 7, 10:10 am, in the Parlor Monday, March 15, 7 pm, Location TBD Sunday, March 21, 10:10 am, in the Parlor Monday, March 29 7 pm, Location TBD
	Worship Matters 4 weeks Want to learn more about worship and why we do it? Check back for more details.

Come to the table & be fed.