AN INVITATION TO  take up  AND  let go…

Lent can be a time in our church for “taking up” those spiritual practices that draw us closer to God and “letting go” of those things that separate us from the love of Christ. We hope that you take some time to ask God what this might mean for you in this season of your life.The Discipleship and Spiritual Formation group invites you to take some time to think about what might speak to your heart this Lent.  You are invited to find a way to walk your path in this season of Lent.

To sign up, please click this link to be taken to the online registration form (this will open up in a new window). If you are unable to sign-up online, registration forms are available in the back of the SEASONS booklet, which can be found in the fellowship hall or church office.  If you have any questions please contact the church office at 344-0343 and we will be glad to try to answer all of your questions. these events and studies will enrich your life!

Quiet spaces for a busy world

DATES:          Wednesdays, 2/22 through 3/28
TIME:              6:30 am—6:30 pm
WHERE:       Sanctuary
LEADER:      Lisa Frost

All are invited to set aside a time to dwell in the quiet and seek God in the space.  The Sanctuary will open at 6:30 am with a time of Centering Prayer from 7:00-7:45 am.  A word and  communion will take place from 12:15 pm until 12:45 pm and there will be short mid-morning and mid-afternoon prayer times.  The rhythm of the day will close with a Vespers Service from 6-6:30 pm.  Prayer stations for art, journaling, and contemplation will be open all day.  Come, let us live mindfully during the Lenten season, pausing to rest in the presence of the Holy One.

WEDNESDAY SCHEDULE:

6:30 am Sanctuary open all day
7-7:45 am Centering Prayer
10-10:15 am Morning Prayer
in Community
12:15-12:45 pm “Word and Communion”
3:30-3:45 pm Afternoon Prayer
in Community
6-6:30 pm Vespers Service

Greek 2.0: Jesus’ Journey to the Cross

DATES:  Wednesdays, 2/29 through 4/4
TIME: 6:30—7:30 pm
WHERE: Library
LEADER: Rev. Dr. Jay Hogewood

A study of the last week of Jesus’ life as portrayed in Mark 14-15. Special focus will be given to the Greek language of the Gospel, but most of our study will concentrate on theological issues presented in Mark’s narrative. No knowledge of New Testament Greek is needed! We’ll read various English versions and play with the Greek language as we desire.

Final Words from the Cross

DATES:  Tuesdays, 2/28 through 4/10
TIME: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
WHERE: Parlor
LEADER: Barbara Albright

This is a  seven week study by Adam Hamilton.  Please feel free to bring a lunch as we explore Jesus’ final words from the cross and the meaning His dying words have for our lives today.  After six weeks of Lenten Study, we will include one session to study words Jesus spoke following His Resurrection, including what truly were the final words Jesus spoke while walking this earth.  Please join us for these statements that have so much to teach us about Jesus, His Father, and ourselves.  The book is available
for $11.00 in the church office.

Getting to know your Bible

DATES:  Sunday,  March 11
TIME: 9:50—10:40 am
WHERE: Church Office
LEADER: Rev. Lee McKinzie

In this one-session only class, we will examine our Bible.  It is an ideal time for persons who feel they know little or nothing about the Bible to gain a better foundation.

How we got the Bible

DATES:  Sunday,  March 18
TIME: 9:50—10:40 am
WHERE: Church Office
LEADER: Rev. Lee McKinzie

This class will explore the challenge faced by the earliest persons of faith as they struggled to give us the Bible.

So you want to get married at UUMC!

DATES:  Sunday,  February 26
TIME: 9:50—10:40 am
WHERE: Church Office
LEADER: Kyle Wooldridge

In this one-session class, couples will learn about everything involved in getting married at University United Methodist Church.  Questions will be answered about florists, musicians, photographers, clergy, and more.

Preparing for Marriage

DATES:  Sunday,  March 4
TIME: 9:50—10:40 am
WHERE: Church Office
LEADER: Rev. Lee McKinzie

A one-session class helping the soon-t0-be married or newly married explore three items that bring stress in the early days of marriage.  Led by Lee McKinzie, the class also examines the rhythm of faith.  Every engaged couple should attend
this class!

A Few Things That Matter

DATES:  Saturday,  March 24
TIME: 10:00 am—12:30 pm
WHERE: Fellowship Hall
LEADER: Kent Kilbourne
COST: $20 per married couple

Join Kent Kilbourne in a morning couples will not soon forget.  Designed to help keep good marriages good, participants will explore how they relate to each other, reinforcing the idea that a few things are really important in marriage. Kent is up close and personal, and the morning will be fun.  The cost is $20.00 per couple. For more information contact Rev. Lee McKinzie in the church office or visit our website to register:
www. universitymethodist.org

Maybe We want to get Engaged!

DATES:  Sunday,  March 25
TIME: 9:50—10:40 am
WHERE: Church Office
LEADER: Rev. Lee McKinzie

We live in a time when serious dating couples often wonder if they love each other enough to marry.  In this one-session class we will explore the kinds of question these couples should be asking.

In support of the LA Skeeter 5k and the Imagine No Malaria campaign we are starting the Couch to 5k program (C25K) at UUMC .  The Couch to 5k program was designed to take anyone, including couch potatoes, and help them finish their first 5k.  It is a program that starts with walking then builds to a walk/run.  There is no emphasis on speed and you can go at your own pace.  To help support this we will have two weekly walk/runs from UUMC.  Wednesdays (starting Feb. 8th) at 4:30pm Martha Wright will lead a group and Sundays (starting Feb 11th) at 4:15pm Gary Merrifield will lead another group.  You can attend either or both, there is no charge for this. Contact Martha or Gary if you are interested but can’t make the times listed. Contact Info: Gary Merrifield  (225)354-6732 or Martha Wright (225) 933-3978.

Registration for the Skeeter Run will be available online February 1st at http://www.changetheworldla.org. Registration costs for the run/walk will be $20 for adults (includes t-shirt) and $10 for those under 18 until April 7th. After that date, the costs will rise to $25 and $12.  The run location in Baton Rouge is at the BREC park on Perkins across from Pennington. The 1 mile will begin at 7:30 am and the 5k will begin at 8 am. We hope that you will join us for this event and if you have any questions please contact Betty Backstrom at bettybackstrom@la-umc.org.

If you are a new visitor looking for more information, a long time visitor wanting to join the church, or just someone who would like to learn more about UUMC—make plans to attend our Coffee With the Pastors on Sunday, February 19,  from 2:00 – 3:30 pm in the church parlor. You will learn about our church, what we believe, and how to officially join the church. If you have any questions, please contact the church office at 344-0434.

Making a difference in the lives of people in our community is Christian mission and goal that our church strives to embrace and nurture. One of our members, Susan Pourciau, is doing just that! Susan, a member of our Made With Love Crafting Ministry, works weekly at the HOPE Ministries Food Pantry and sees the needs of those who are able to take advantage of this great program that they offer. One of the things she noticed is that many of them were not prepared for the winter weather. Over the last few months she has been diligently crocheting 30 hats to give to those that walk in the door of HOPE Ministries and may be in need of one! This past Wednesday during the weekly meeting of our Prayer Team, together with Rev. Lee McKinzie, they took time to say a blessing over these hats and for the future recipients who would wear them. What a blessing these will be for those who receive them! May they feel God’s hands upon them with the giving of this great gift.

We have a small selection of interesting devotional and bible study books available for purchase in the Church Office. Books are available for sale during normal church office hours. If you have any questions contact Kyle Wooldridge in the church office at 344-0343.

UPPER ROOM DISCIPLINES FOR 2012 – $11.00 each

PREPARE YOUR CHURCH FO THE FUTURE by Carl F. George – $10.00 each

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP by J. Oswald Sanders – $14.00 each

PRAYING FOR FRIENDS AND ENEMIES by Jane E. Vennard – $5.00 each

THE LOST ART OF DISCIPLE MAKING by Leroy Eims – $5.00 each

A PRAYING CONGREGATION by Jane E Vennard – $10.00 each

THE NEW OXFORD ANNOTATED BIBLE WITH APOCRYPHA – $45.00 each

UPPER ROOM DISCIPLINES FOR 2011 – $5.00 each

Mark your calendars now for March 24, 10:00-12:30!  UUMC is offering an amazing workshop for people who have good marriages and want to keep them that way.

The workshop will feature Kent Kilbourne.  Cost is $20.00 per couple, and a workbook is included.  More information will be available in February so check back or call the church office for more information.

Several room changes have occurred in Children’s Ministries to accommodate the growth we are having.  Please note that all new rooms are in effect.

Nursery I (new born to age 1)           Sweet Potato Room (Trice Building, 1st floor)
Nursery II (toddlers)                          Crawfish Room (Trice Building, 1st floor)
3 and 4 year old                                     Perch Room (Children’s Building 1st floor)
K-1                                                              Magnolia Room (Children’s Building 1st floor)
2-3                                                              204 (Children’s Building 2nd Floor)
4-5                                                              206 (Children’s Building 2nd Floor)

Plans for the fall (2012) include a computer lab and separate classes for Kindergarten and third grade.