Adult Faith Formation Sunday Sessions 
All sessions meet at 11 am in Calkins Hall, Downtown
The exception this month is Vital Conversations which will be going to Bethel AME Church. 

Centering Practices - First Sunday - January 5
"The Room of Requirement" -  (Harry Potter fans will recognize this room!)  Guided Imagery with Jennifer Niggemeier: Accessing Your Room of Requirement.  The Room of Requirement is a place where what you need is available to you when you need it.  What if we lived our lives as if we always had access to our own Room of Requirement?  Does our faith help us tap into the resources we need?  Whether you are familiar with Harry Potter or not, join us to explore the practice of guided imagery as a way to access what we most need.

Conversations About Science and Religion - Second Sunday - January 12
"On the Convergence of Spirituality and Science" -  All are welcome to join us for this  conversation with Rev. Ken Whitt, DMin, author and Executive Director of Traces of God Ministries. The conversation will include three parts: "God is Just Love," "Climate Science, Sustainability Science, and Where is this World Headed?," and "Ready, Our Children! to Find Hope and Be Love in a Future of Perils."

Vital Conversations - Third Sunday - January 19
Tentatively, we are planning to worship at Bethel AME Church here in Ann Arbor on January 19th, the Sunday of MLK weekend. Please watch the church bulletin for confirmed information about this visit to our friends at Bethel. If you would like more information, please contact Debbie Houghton at  debbie@fumc-a2.org

Disability Awareness Talks - Fourth Sunday - January 26
Ever wonder how to deal with addiction when it hits close to home? 
We'll have an Al-Anon sponsor here to talk about navigating how to take care of yourself and how to interact in a healthy way when a family member deals with addiction.

***Child care on Sunday Mornings*** 
Would you attend the Sunday adult faith formation offerings if we could provide child care?  We want to make it possible for all who wish to come to be able to participate!  If you have child care needs for the adult classes on Sunday, please contact Debbie Houghton at debbie@fumc-a2.org
Disciple 2 - Into the Word/Into the World -  begins January 7, 2020

Anyone who has completed the Disciple 1 course is welcome to join Carole DeHart and Debbie Houghton in Disciple 2, which will begin on Tuesday, January 7 th at 6:30 pm. In Disciple 2 we focus on two Old Testament books and two New Testament books -- for this course, this is Genesis and Exodus, and Luke and Acts. These are great books to read and discuss. Disciple 1 is a pre-requisite. Please let Debbie Houghton know a.s.a.p. if you are interested -   debbie@fumc-a2.org
 
Brown Bag Bible Study
Tuesdays, 12 - 1 pm, Beginning January 7, 2020
Downtown Chapel

Join us for a mid-day Bible study on Tuesdays in the Chapel; Brown Bag Bible is from 12-1 pm and is a drop-in study -  no advance reading is needed. January 7 th begins our study of Matthew. Bring your lunch!
Way Forward Learning Sessions :

Join us on  Sunday, January 26 at 4 pm in Calkins Hall  for the first in a monthly series to inform our way forward in the United Methodist Church as General Conference 2020 in May approaches. On January 26  we'll focus on " Navigating Difficult Conversations ." We'll discuss the Bible's "clobber passages" (scripture often used against the LGBTQ community) and ways to respond, as well as techniques for handling difficult conversations in general. We'll also review common LGBTQ terminology.  

Way Forward learning sessions will continue on the Fourth Sunday of the Month, January - April: January 26, February 23, March 22, and April 26.
Soul Centers and Rocking Chair Meditations

How goes it with your soul? Do you need a little space in your day? If you find yourself at the downtown church, check out our Soul Center corners; there is one in the chapel and one in the second floor nook. Enjoy recently donated crosses, and if you wish, read some of the meditations. Take a few minutes to breathe deeply and simply be! The Soul Centers are available when the church is open.

Also, rock your soul in the rocking chairs at both Green Wood and downtown in the Wesley Lounge - these are provided with meditations that you may choose for reflection while you rock, or simply use your rocking time to relax and breathe. It is truly a moving way to pray!

The Soul Centers and rocking chairs are available when the church is open. Questions? Contact Debbie Houghton in the office.
Earthkeepers
Meets on Third Mondays at 7:30 pm  Downtown Asbury Room

The  Earthkeepers Group typically meets on the third Monday of the month; but please note in January they will meet on January 13 (second Monday) because the third Monday is MLK Day. Then looking ahead they will meet on Mondays February 17 and March 16. All are welcome! We discuss issues of the environment and climate change, social justice related to those issues,  and what we can do to help.   
Contact person: Marilee Woodworth,  marileewoodworth@ameritech.net
Mind the Gap
Are you interested in helping people who are experiencing food insecurity? Everyone is welcome to join us at a planning meeting on Monday, January 27 at 6:30 pm Downtown (watch bulletin for room). We'll explore activities we might be involved in the next year. Mind the Gap is a group of people interested in learning about and solving food insecurity issues in our community and in Michigan. Contact person: Lynn Palacios, palaca2@aol.com
First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor | 734.662.4536 | www.fumc-a2.org
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