Education News
There is still a need for volunteers to teach the Sunday School classes. If interested, please contact Jeremiah Diegel.
West Ohio Conference Scholarship Programs
Based on available funds, the West Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church supervises three scholarship opportunities for undergraduates attending United Methodist institutions of higher learning. Please see Rev. McDaniel for additional information.
INTENTIONAL FAITH DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Book Club: Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick
Thursdays, 9-10:30 a.m., “Grounds for Thought” located at l174 S. Main Street, Bowling Green.
Award-winning journalist, Barbara Demick, follows the lives of six North Korean citizens over fifteen years—a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim II-sung, the rise to power of his son Kim Jong-il and a devasting famine that killed one-fifth of the population. Demick brings to life what it means to be living under the most repressive totalitarian regime today—an Orwellian world that is by choice not connected to the Internet, where displays of affection are punished, informants are rewarded, and an offhand remark can send a person to the gulag for life. Demick takes us deep inside the country, beyond the reach of government censors, and through meticulous and sensitive reporting we see her subjects fall in love, raise families, nurture ambitions, and struggle for survival. One by one, we witness their profound, life-altering disillusionment with the government and their realization that, rather than providing them with lives of abundance, their country has betrayed them.
Class Description for the Jr/Sr High Class, Conflict; Overcoming stress in your relationships.
Led by Jeremiah Diegel. Time: Sundays, 11:00a.m. (On-going)
Friends gossip, and betray. Parents are all about rules and lecturing. Teachers and coaches single out favorites. When life is unfair, even God seems to part of the conflict. Today's youth can start to feel like EVERYONE is against them. In four sessions we will examine closely how to deal with and resolve CONFLICT with Friends, Family, Authority, and with God. Within this multi media study we will use scripture, video, music and in class discussion to learn better communication tactics and together find new and improved ways of respecting all that God has placed in our lives..
Jacob & Rachel/Faith Class: Study of Ephesians, Led by Jack Diehl and Rev. Bob Hopkins
Time: Sundays, 11:00 a.m. (On-going)
Fellowship Class: The Power of Myth Led by Rev. Bruce McDaniel
Time: Sundays, 11:00 a.m. (On-going)
A DVD Series that is an exhilarating journey into the mind and spirit of Joseph Campbell, a remarkable man, a legendary teacher and a masterful storyteller conducted by TV journalist, Bill Moyers. The series includes these topics: “The Heroes’ Journey”, “The Message of a Myth”, The First Storytellers”, “Sacrifice and Bliss”,
“Love and the Goddess” and “Masks of Eternity.”
Elementary Class: Solid Rock, Led by Carla Rahrig and Jenny Myers
Time: Sundays, 11:00 a.m. (On-going)
A colorful storybook that teaches more than just a Bible story – it shows children how to live what they’re learning.
Benefits: Colorful and fun for children so they stay engaged during the session and take the Bible story to heart. Written with appropriate activities to help children understand the story. Uses a variety of learning styles and utilizes various skill sets to ensure each child can be preached in a way that’s meaningful to them.
Features: Thirteen colorful and fun Bible stories (8 pages each). Each storybook includes skill appropriate activities designed to engage children ages 5 -6. Includes a parent leaflet with information, helps, and learning ideas for families, bringing the faith experience into the home. Living as a Christian Kid section of each storybook makes a faith-in-life connection that is unique and real for each child.
Sermon Reflection and Shaping: Led by Reverend Bruce McDaniel
Time: Mondays, 9:00 a.m. Meeting @ this time at Christ Church, 301 W. Main St., Portage (On-going)
In this gathering we reflect on the scripture/sermon from the previous Sunday’s worship and discuss how it came across, was the message clear, helpful, relevant. Then we study together the scriptures chosen for the upcoming Sunday. We share the fruits of our study of them, our insights, how they connect with our lives, how we see them impacting the church and its mission. In this way we begin to “shape” the sermon to our context. It doesn’t matter how much you knew about the scriptures ahead of time. It doesn’t matter what version of scripture you use --- in fact, as many different perspectives as we can bring to our study the better. Come and help shape and mold the message, and see how it shapes and molds you.