Spiritual Life Offerings

Something for every stage of your journey and every day of the week!
(Registration information at bottom of page)

Mondays
God's Politics with Pastor Mark
9:30am, 1st & 3rd Mondays, September 15 – May 25
Pastor Mark will be looking at the book, God's Politics: Why the Right Gets it Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get it, by Jim Wallis. You can count on interesting discussion and a great snack. This is a drop-in Bible study, all are welcome! Meets in the Garden Room.


Tuesdays
Tuesday Morning Bible Study:
• Comparative Religions
      8:30am, July 8 – September 30
Compare our own faith traditions with the great religions of history. (This class meets bi-weekly during the summer.) Facilitator: Harriet Palmer. Meets in the Garden Room.
• Living the Questions – Courses 1, 2 and 3
      8:30am, October 7 – May 26  (More information)
Explore beyond traditions and rote theologies to discover what a meaningful faith can look like in today's world. What does it mean to be a "thinking" Christian? Does Christianity need to be "reclaimed?" Bring those questions you've always wanted to ask but have been afraid to voice. Facilitator: Harriet Palmer. Meets in the Garden Room.

JustFaith
7:00pm, September 23 – June 16  (More information)
A ecumenical and life changing experience which examines the themes of common good; shared rights and responsibilities; value of human dignity, solidarity, respect for creation; grassroots wisdom and energy; and the call to stand with the poor. Facilitator: Harriet Palmer. Meets in the Redwood Room.

Tuesday Night Bible Study
7:00pm, September 9 – May 26
Meets in the Live Oak Room.

Invitation to the Old Testament
7:00pm, September 9 – October 28
This study approaches the study of Hebrew Scriptures by inviting participants to hear the story of God and God's calling of the people of Israel through the many "voices" of the biblical text. Facilitator: John Lehman. Meets in the Garden Room.

Invitation to the New Testament
7:00pm, November 4 – January 27
Explore how the early Christian community wrestled with the coming of Jesus--his life, actions, mission, death, and resurrection--and the implications of his arrival for their lives and their communities of faith. Facilitator: John Lehman. Meets in the Garden Room.

Invitation to the Psalms
7:00pm, February 3 – April 7
The human emotions in the Book of Psalms rise to peaks of joy and descend into valleys of despair. This study offers greater understanding of how these ancient texts of praise, lament, worship, and prayer can still speak to us and for us. Facilitator: John Lehman. Meets in the Garden Room.


Wednesdays
Living the Questions (7 Session Courses)
6:30pm, October 1 – April 23  (More information)
• Course 1: Invitation to Journey
      October 1 – November 12 (weekly)
      Facilitator: Chuck Dunker. Meets in Room 7.
• Course 2: Reclaiming the World
      September 17 – December 17 (1st and 3rd Wednesdays)
      Facilitator: Stan Barkey. Meets in the Youth Room.
• Course 2: Reclaiming the World
      January 7 to February 18 (weekly)
      Facilitator: Chuck Dunker. Meets in the Youth Room.
• Course 3: Call to Covenant
      March 11 – April 23 (weekly)
      Facilitator: Chuck Dunker. Meets in the Youth Room.
Explore beyond traditions and rote theologies to discover what a meaningful faith can look like in today's world. What does it mean to be a "thinking" Christian? Does Christianity need to be "reclaimed?" Bring those questions you've always wanted to ask but have been afraid to voice. (If meeting every other week works best, please let us know.)

Eclipsing Empire (a Living the Questions series class)
6:30pm, September 17 – December 10  (More information)
This study traces the Apostle Paul's footsteps throughout the Roman Empire. Facilitator: Jan McDaniel. Meets in the Garden Room.

Saving Jesus (a Living the Questions series class)
6:30pm, Starting January 2009  (More information)
An exploration of the relevance of Jesus Christ for the third millennium. Facilitator: Chuck Dunker. Meets in the Garden Room.

Spiritual Gifts with Pastor Debbie
6:30pm, October 8 – October 29  (More information)
** Note the time & date change **
Pastor Debbie will guide you in the discovery of your own unique spiritual gifts and talents. Meets in the Chapel.

I believe in Jesus
7:30pm, February 4 – April 8
Join Pastor Debbie and discuss probing questions such as, "Whose faith counts?" and, "What is it to exercise one's faith in Jesus in a postmodern world?"


Thursdays
JustFaith
10:00am, September 25 – June 18  (More information)
A ecumenical and life changing experience which examines the themes of common good; shared rights and responsibilities; value of human dignity, solidarity, respect for creation; grassroots wisdom and energy; and the call to stand with the poor. Facilitator: Pastor Debbie. Meets in the Garden Room.

Community Bible Study with Pastor Rick — The Book of Revelation
10:00am, September 18 to May 28  (More information)
A work of hope and encouragement or a scary fortune-telling timetable? Join this class to find out... Meets in the Live Oak Room.

Living the Questions — Course 1
7:00pm, 1st & 3rd Thursdays, September 18 – December 18
7:00pm, 1st & 3rd Thursdays, January 21 – March 18
Explore beyond traditions and rote theologies to discover what a meaningful faith can look like in today's world. What does it mean to be a "thinking" Christian? Does Christianity need to be "reclaimed?" Bring those questions you've always wanted to ask but have been afraid to voice. Facilitator: Stan Barkey. Meets in the Live Oak Room.  (More information)

A Short History of the Christian Church with Pastor Dirk
7:30pm, September 18 – November 6 (No class on October 2 or 23)
This class will be an overview of Christian history from Jesus to now, with an emphasis on the early church. Meets in the Garden Room. (More information)

Jesus and the Gospels
7:00pm, November 13 – June 4
This Bible study focuses on the portraits of Jesus found in the four Gospels. Facilitator: Ron Grace. Meets in the Garden Room.


Fridays
10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage
7:00pm, September 12 – February 13 (Every other week)  (More information)
Spark romance with memory-making evenings built on key, marriage-enriching themes. After a short video that sets the stage for discussion, couples are sent out for their own private dates. Facilitator: Sandra Montoya. Meets in the Garden Room.


Saturdays
Starting the Journey with Pastor Debbie
9:00am–2:00pm, November 1 (One day session)
New member class explores what it means to be a member of Los Altos UMC. Class joins the church on Sunday, November 16. Meets in the Garden Room.  (More information)

Mastering the Mysteries of Love
8:30am–5:00pm, November 8 & November 15
This is an interactive, hands-on program that spotlights 10 essential relationship skills that work together to change how people listen, talk, solve problems and relate to one another. Reservations required. Facilitator: Sandra Montoya. Meets in the Children's Center.


Sundays
Adult Sunday School
9:30am, September 14 – May 24
Discuss books on various religious themes and history. Currently reading and discussing Desire of the Everlasting Hills, by Thomas Cahill. Facilitator: Ramsey Melugin. Meets in the Live Oak Room.

Starting the Journey with Pastor Debbie
9:30am, October 12 –November 16 (Six one-hour sessions)
New member class explores what it means to be a member of Los Altos UMC. Class joins the church on Sunday, November 16. Meets in the Garden Room.  (More information)

Parenting the School-Age Child
11:15am, September 14 – May 24
Various topics of interest are discussed in this drop-in class. Facilitators: Larry & Gaye Nell Heck. Meets in the Live Oak Room.


To register...
To register for any of our spiritual life (adult education) offerings for this upcoming year, please complete the Spiritual Life Registration Form (click here) and return to Patricia Parfett, Adult Ministry Coordinator, at patriciaparfett@laumc.org or Los Altos UMC, 655 Magdalena Avenue, Los Altos, CA 94024, Attention Patricia Parfett.  

While a few of our classes, including "JustFaith" and "Mastering the Mysteries of Love", require registration fees to cover the cost of course materials, etc., this should not preclude anyone from participating in any of our offerings. Please contact Patricia Parfett or Pastor Debbie Weatherspoon at 650-948-1083 to discuss scholarships.