Adult Ministry PDF  | Print |  E-mail

The Adult Ministries offered here at Epworth are as many and as varied as the people who worship here or live in our surrounding community.  We have many small groups of adults that meet during our weekly Sunday School hour (9:00 a.m.) and others that meet throughout the week.

  • The Homemakers’ Sunday School Class is composed of ladies in the age groups mostly of 70’s, 80’s and several 90’s.  Isn’t that wonderful?  Just think of the knowledge stored in those white and gray heads.  Our class was first called The Young Adult Class and is over 50 years old.  Our teacher is John Cady, who brings alive the Bible lessons each Sunday.  You are cordially invited to visit us where you will be most welcome.  Room #320

 

  • The Brotherhood Sunday School Class is made up of both couples and singles.  We study from the Adult Bible Studies quarterly.  Much of the class time is discussion, and all opinions are welcome.  The ages of the class are 50 and up.  We’ll be glad to welcome visitors and new members at any time!  Room #209

 

  • The Frances Asbury Class was formed in October 1963 for the purpose of creating a young married couples’ class.  The class adopted the name of Frances Asbury, the first Methodist bishop in America.  This class is now much wiser and a little older but very active in the life of Epworth UMC.  The class is made up of both married and single people ranging in age from 50 and up.  Unscheduled social events are planned throughout the year.  The class elects officers and contributes regularly to several mission projects:  Social Concerns, Missionary, Cynthia Carr, the Hospitality House, Christmas Charities Stocking Project, different projects at the church, members serve on several committees.  We presently have 14 on roll.  Several class members rotate teaching.  Room #214

 

  • Faith Journey is a new Sunday School class for the college age, young singles, and couples in their 20’s and 30’s being led by Chris Marshall.  If you are ready for “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” then this is the class for you.  Light breakfast, coffee, and juice is served each Sunday morning.  We welcome you to join us in a video series with group discussion each week. We are located on the 2nd floor in room #212.

 

  • The Friendship Class is a mission-oriented and very sociable class.  Made up primarily of retired or still working older adults, the Friendship Class meets each is a very sociable bunch.  In addition to their Sunday class meetings, they meet each Tuesday evening in different class members’ homes for a covered-dish dinner and games.  We meet on the second floor in room #216

  • The Searchers Class is probably the most diverse class in Epworth’s Sunday School, with members ages 35 to 85, Conservatives, liberals, couples, singles, who do not mind expressing thoughts in discussions.  We are opinionated and accepting individuals.  We choose various literatures quarterly with teaching duties rotating among several members.  Dr. Barbara Cady and Sarah and Tim Edwards are currently sharing teaching duties.  Our current curriculum is DVD format Bible studies and open class discussion.  Room #227

 

  • The Truthseekers Class represents ages from 35-55. The class is seeking the truth, as found in the Bible.  Contemporary Christian studies are the focus of the class. In the months with five Sundays, the class has a breakfast fellowship on the fifth Sunday.  Room #225

 

United Methodist Women

  • The organized unit of United Methodist Women is be a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative and supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.

 

Here at Epworth we offer two traditional "Circles of the United Methodist Women:

  • Lydia Circle is a day group that meets every third Tuesday in the first floor parlor of the church.  The ladies often meet for lunch, either a covered-dish dinner or a dutch-treat lunch out on the town.

 

  • The Rebecca Circle meets the second Thursday at every month at 6:00 p.m. in the home of one the group members.  Please call the church office (536-1559) for more details.  You will be welcomed warmly.

For more information about the United Methodist Women see: new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/

We also have a group of women called "The Circle of Grace" that meets the second Friday of every month at 6:00 p.m. for a shared dinner and Bible Study.  The meeting place rotates among the homes of those who attend.  The Circle of Grace also hosts both local and off-site retreats throughout the year.  You may call the church office (536-1559) for details about their next scheduled meeting.  The "Grace Girls" look forward to meeting you!

Men's Groups

We host open "Pick Up" Basketball" for men and youth every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in our church gym.  These pick up games are open to all men and male youth in our community.  Come join the fun.

Other Adult Groups

  • Kairos Prison Ministry:  Kairos is an organization of a body of ministries addressing the spiritual needs of incarcerated men, women and children, their families and to those who work in the prison environment. Kairos sprang from the Cursillo movement and is supported by volunteers from Cursillo and those other movements that consider Cursillo as their root. Although a separate ministry, Kairos has received the blessing and encouragement of 4th Day movements such as Cursillo, National Episcopal Cursillo, Presbyterian Cursillo, Lutheran Via de Cristo, The Upper Room's Walk To Emmaus, and independently ecumenical Tres Dias.  Kairos Prison Ministry is a ministry rather than a movement. Kairos is a ministry of the church ... a ministry of the apostles whom Jesus, the Christ, has called into community and sent forth into the environment of the correctional institution. Kairos has been called the best example of the early church in existence today.  The people of Epworth participate in the Kairos Ministry at Limestone Correctional Facility in Limestone County.  Please see www.kairos-al.org/ or more detailed information.
  • Emmaus Walk:  The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders. The Walk to Emmaus experience begins with a 72-hour short course in Christianity, comprised of fifteen talks by lay and clergy on the themes of God's grace, disciplines of Christian discipleship, and what it means to be the church. The course is wrapped in prayer and meditation, special times of worship and daily celebration of Holy Communion. The "Emmaus community," made up of those who have attended an Emmaus weekend, support the 72-hour experience with a prayer vigil, by preparing and serving meals, and other acts of love and self-giving. The Emmaus Walk usually begins Thursday evening and concludes Sunday evening. Men and women attend separate weekends. During and after the three days, Emmaus leaders encourage participants to meet regularly in small groups. The members of the small groups challenge and support one another in faithful living. Participants seek to Christianize their environments of family, job, and community through the ministry of their congregations.The Upper Room of The United Methodist Church sponsors the Walk to Emmaus and offers it through local Emmaus groups around the world. The three-day Emmaus experience and the follow-up groups strengthen and renew Christian people as disciples of Jesus Christ and as active members of the body of Christ in mission to the world.  The people of Epworth are active in sponsoring and working on the Emmaus Walks for men and women.  We also host active reunion groups.  For more information please see:  www.alaemmaus.org/ or call our church office (536-1559).
  • Stitchers, Etc.:  This group meets on the second and last Tuesday of every month.  Made up exclusively of women, Stitchers, Etc. is a craft-centered group.  Some women sew, quilt, or do crafts of all varieties.  We would love to have you join us.
  • Morning Adult Bible Study: This is a co-ed Bible Study group open to all adults in the community.  It is a lay-lead Bible Study that meets every Thursday morning at 9:45 a.m. in our church parlor.  We hope to see you there.