CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Pastor Mar Bruner, Associate Pastor mar.bruner@cox.net
The great American poet, Ralph Waldo Emerson, said, “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” We at Fields invite people of all ages and backgrounds, to our Christian gatherings listed below. You are welcome to get involved, explore, and learn or be reminded that Jesus is the source of nourishment for “what lies within us,” our spirits.
ADULT MINISTRY OPPORTUNITES
Sunday Morning Adult Book/Bible Study
Each season new Sunday morning adult gatherings form and meet for several weeks to study the Bible and other Christian books. Popular groups include Advent and Lenten studies. All persons high school graduate aged and up are welcome to join any gathering. Leaders often use a book that he/she will announce ahead of time and have available at the time of the class. As gatherings are planned they will be publicized in the church newsletter, weekly email blasts, on our social media sites, in our Sunday bulletins and on our announcement screens throughout the church.
Tuesday Brownbag Lunch Study
Bring your lunch every Tuesday at noon for lively Scripture-based conversations on a variety of contemporary issues and how God intersects our lives on a daily basis. All are welcome. No experience necessary.
Thursday AM
Every Thursday morning at 10, Thursday AM considers articles from the Upper Room. Come join us as we discover God in many new and exciting ways.
Thursday Pastor’s Bible Study
Pastor Tom leads Bible study every Thursday evening at 7 PM. The group studies the books of the Bible and through conversation we discern God’s revelation through the Holy Bible. You do not need to know the Bible, just a passion to want to know God more completely in your everyday life. All are welcome, whether you have never been to a study or have studied the Bible for decades.
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
Weekly Sunday Morning IGNITE Gatherings
In addition to the monthly Ignite youth activities, our 6th through 12th graders gather from 10 to 11 AM on Sundays in the Youth Room during the school year (September through May). Youth come and “chillax” in between services with their favorite snacks and drinks and often bring friends. With the guidance of adult volunteers, we dig deeper into scripture meanings, discuss how we feel about current events, and enjoy group building activities. Our Ignite youth are encouraged to be a part of our congregation during the Sunday worship service of their choice, and participate in the service as ushers, lay readers, musicians and AV techs.
Crib and Toddler Rooms
Our littlest of friends can take a break or spend the entire Sunday service in the Crib and Toddler rooms. We provide a safe, clean environment for infants and toddlers up to age 4. Childcare is provided during the 9, 10 and 11 AM Sunday worship times. The crib and toddler rooms allow parents/guardians to either drop their child off and attend worship, or to join their child in the room and help them feel comfortable. We broadcast the worship service in both rooms so adults don’t miss the service if they need to stay. The children get to play, have interaction with others, hear a Bible story, and do an art activity each week. Our childcare providers are background checked and CPR/First Aide trained.
Sunday Junior Church/Play-Time & Communion Sundays
We offer identical Junior Church programs during the 9 and 11 AM Sunday worship services for our 4 year olds through 5th
grade aged children. No matter which service one chooses, children will be learning the same thing making it easy for families to attend whichever service works best for their Sunday schedule. Junior Church begins after the Children’s Chat part of the worship service during the 9 and 11 AM hours. Children are dismissed from the worship service and attend age appropriate gatherings in the East wing of the church. Parents/Guardians pick-up their children in the East wing after they are done with worship.
During the 10 AM hour the children in this age group are welcome to join us in the same rooms for supervised play-time/crafts/ music while parents/guardians attend Adult Book/Bible study gatherings.
Once a month and on special holidays children return to the end of the worship service, from Junior Church, to participate in Holy Communion with their families. On these days our lesson revolves around the meaning of communion. Parents/guardians make the decision when their child is old enough to participate in communion.
Vacation Bible School
Every summer Fields UMC hosts a week long gathering for preschool and elementary aged children. This program is open to the public and is run by a great group of volunteers who love to share the word of God with children. Each year the VBS theme takes all the participants on an exciting adventure at our church for several hours each day. The Sunday following VBS week, the children get to share what they learned during our worship service! VBS Sunday is run by the VBS kids and volunteers, and is a special time for the kids to share what they learned about God and Jesus! As always this Sunday worship service is open to all our VBS families and friends!