Ongoing Opportunities
FaithLink
Sundays, 10:30-11:30 am – Room 216
Facilitators: Tom Riese,
Gary Stevens, JoAnn Wright and Tony Linz
In this study, a different topic covering a recent event
or current issue is discussed. The class looks at the
issue, studies how the Bible informs our beliefs and
actions, and discusses how we relate and respond to
the issue as individuals and as a church.
Online Opportunities
The United Methodist Communications Online
Training Center offers classes including:
 Communicating Faith in the 21st Century
 Turning Connectional Living into
Connectional Giving
 United Methodism 101
 Welcoming Ministry 100
These classes are free or cost under $30. Go to
www.umctraining.org to register. Please contact
Pastor Greta Hietpas if you would like to have a
scholarship to take a class. Also, please give her your
feedback about classes!
Monday Morning Bible Study
9:30-11:00 am – Room 209
Beginning September 12
Facilitator: Betty Moore
This is a focused Bible Study that concentrates on one
book of scripture at a time.
Thursday Morning Discussion Group
7:00-8:00 am – Room 101
Beginning September 8
This study is led by a variety of people.
Study topics are short-term and
of interest to the group.
Discussion is accompanied by breakfast.
Men’s Breakfast Study
Second Sunday of each month
7:00-8:30am – Dining Room
This ongoing group offers fellowship with other men
of the church, good food and good discussions about
being a man of faith in today’s society. Each month a
different discussion leader brings
a topic for the group to discuss.
Spiritual Formation
Fall 2016
What is Spiritual Formation?
Spiritual Formation is focused on growing our souls
on an ongoing basis. We also refer to it as
“breathing in” or “inhaling” at FUMC. Our hope is
that spiritual growth doesn’t end with the last day of
children’s Sunday School, but continues into our
youth and through all of our adult lives.
All classes are open to everyone. You do not have to
be a member of this church to participate in a group
and people of all ages are welcome in any class.
Childcare is available upon request.
The Spiritual Formation Team seeks to offer classes
in five areas: Bible Study, Spiritual Practices, Social
Justice, Theology/Christian Thought and
Movie and Book Studies.
We always value your input, so please let us know
what other classes you would like to see offered. You
can give your ideas to any of the Spiritual Formation
team members: Pastor Greta Hietpas, Jan Arreola,
Shirley Chilson, Jim Hewitt, Kathy Johnson,
Patty Meilicke, Betty Mulloy, John Sheaffer,
Gary Stevens, or Amy Thornton.
First United Methodist Church
121 Wisconsin Avenue
Waukesha, WI 53186
262-542-4256
www.fumcwaukesha.org
Fall 2016 Opportunities
* Sign-up sheets in the Asbury Room prior to events.
# Participants pay for books if it is not a hardship.
# Covenant Bible Study
Tuesdays, 7:00-8:30 pm, beginning September 20
OR
Wednesdays, 2:00-3:30 pm, beginning September 21
Facilitator: Pastor Greta
In-depth Bible study can be transformative as we
reflect on the messages in scripture, who God is, and
how we make sense of our own lives in relationship
to God and others. Pray and consider another step in
your own growth, Covenant Bible Study. This
involves a greater commitment than our usual
classes at FUMC so please pick up a Covenant Bible
Study Information Sheet on the table just outside the
Asbury Room for additional information. Not only
will you be making a 24-week commitment (spread
over approximately 9 months) to your own study
and attendance, you will be covenanting with a
group of 8-12 people to journey together. Let Greta
know if you have questions or want to sign up
([email protected]).
* Dwelling in the Word
Last Sunday of the Month, 10:30-11:30 am
September 25, October 30, and November 27
Facilitator: Nina Kohl
In contrast to the more scholarly, intellectual
approaches to Bible Study, this is an opportunity to
engage in soulful, contemplative Bible reading that
prayerfully opens up a conversation with God. As we
listen to the Lord speak, through God’s Word, to the
specific life issues we have, we open ourselves to the
transforming spirit of the living God in our midst.
Dwelling in the Word is also known as Lectio Divina.
No experience necessary.
*# Circle of Sisters
Fourth Monday of the Month, September to June
(Begins September 26)
7:00-8:30 pm
Facilitators: Pastor Greta Hietpas and others
This is a monthly women’s ministry designed to
provide a small group experience to meet the unique
needs women have to connect and share. Each
meeting will include worship, prayer,
book study and fellowship. This year’s book is
Seven Spiritual Gifts of Waiting by Holly W. Whitcomb
Civility in our Politics – Open Tuesdays
Tuesdays, 6:30 - 8:00 am
As a statement of our Open Hearts, Open Minds,
Open Door policy, FUMC will open its sanctuary
each Tuesday from 6:30 to 8:00 am for prayer and
meditation. It will run through the elections in 2016.
In doing so, we covenant to hold our differences
respectfully and to act with civility towards one
another, thus strengthening our community. We
hope you’ll stop by often.
Basic Membership Class or BASICS
Sundays, October 2, 9, 16, 23
10:30-11:30 am
We invite everyone who wants to explore more about
faith and/or is thinking about joining our church to
participate in BASICS. If you have small children,
nursery care is staffed by two trained adults. You
will be given a pager so if there is an issue, the
nursery staff will page you. This class will cover
basic Christian theology, the United Methodist
Church, and FUMC’s discipleship process. This class
runs once in fall and once in spring.
If you have any questions, please call Cheryl Printz at
262-542-4256 or e-mail [email protected].
* Christian Principles in an Election Year
There will be multiple opportunities to engage this study:
At the Waukesha Public Library’s Community Room
Tuesday, October 4, 7:00-8:30 pm
At FUMC
Tuesday, October 11, 7:00-8:30 pm
Thursday, October 13, 9:30-11:00 am
Sunday, October 16 and 23, 9:00-10:00 am
Sunday, October 16 and 23, 10:30-11:30 am
Facilitator: JoAnn Wright
Election cycles present us with lots of choices. Who is
the best choice for president? What about senators
or even our local school board? Candidates often
raise as many questions as the answers they propose.
How do these fit with what we believe as Christians
and as United Methodists? This study will be an
opportunity to look at 10 principles God calls all of us
to pay attention to and to think about what they
mean to us as we prepare to go to the polls in
November. We will NOT be talking about specific
candidates, issues or parties in these sessions.
Faith Alive!
Become a part of this active and involved study to
discover and use your spiritual gifts, define your
ministry and service, explore scripture, and integrate
your faith into the workplace and everyday living.
Take part in this journey of believers from across the
state of Wisconsin. In our first weekend, we will
explore the question “Who is the God who Calls Us?”
Over 225 laity and clergy have attended Faith Alive!
over the past fifteen years. The study consists of six
weekend sessions from September 2016 - April
2018. All sessions are held at the Mt. Morris Camp
and Conference Center in Wautoma, WI. Your first
session will be Sept 16-18. For more information
contact Denise Retzleff at [email protected] or
920-539-0336.