Adult Learning

Beginning with Sunday mornings, AHUMC offers a number of different staff-led courses throughout the week. All of our courses are available for free to anyone who is interested. The only exception is that some courses do require the purchase of a book—and even that shouldn’t be an obstacle to participation as scholarship assistance is available. We hope you will consider joining at least one of the courses listed below.

If you have any questions or need any further information, please submit the form below

Common Space:
A Sunday Morning Dialogue

Join us for a weekly dialogue and exploration of the biblical stories—both the ones you know and love and the ones that seem to confound and confuse. This is not a lecture or a book study. There is no homework or assigned reading. Through active and participatory conversation, we will get to know each other and learn together as we wrestle with the questions that exist on the tips of our tongues and in the depths of our hearts.

Making Sense of the Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture

Pastor Donna Strieb will lead this journey into the nature of Scripture and how we should embrace and interpret it. Together, we will address many of the issues that face the church and fill our cultural debates. Our goal will be to address the often-misunderstood biblical themes and reveal a deeper appreciation of the life-giving and life-changing nature of the biblical texts.

Using Adam Hamilton's book, we will wrestle with questions like:

Did God really command Moses and the Israelites to kill people?
Did Jesus really teach that non-Christians will be assigned to hell?
Were Adam and Eve real people?

Women's Ministry:

Daring Greatly

Every day we experience the uncertainty, risks, and emotional exposure that define what it means to be vulnerable or to dare greatly. Daring Greatly is not about winning or losing. It’s about courage. Without question, putting ourselves out there means there’s a far greater risk of getting criticized or feeling hurt. But when we step back and examine our lives, we will find that nothing is as uncomfortable, dangerous, and hurtful as standing on the outside of our lives looking in and wondering what it would be like if we had the courage to step into the arena.

Using Brené Brown's book, we will explore how vulnerability is both the core of difficult emotions like fear, grief, and disappointment, and the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, empathy, innovation, and creativity.

Common Space:
A Lunchtime Dialogue

Lunch is available for purchase from Chefs Colin Bryant and Kaitlin Workman of Mission Bell.

Community

Yoga:

Whether you have practiced Yoga for years or are looking to try something new, join us for this free weekly hour with Black Swan-licensed instructor, Dave Williams. Check back soon for more details on this class that will meet in the CLC at AHUMC. The space is carpeted so please feel free to bring your own mat or towel and a water bottle.

Childcare is available by reservation and dinner is available for purchase from Chefs Colin Bryant and Kaitlin Workman of Mission Bell.

Community Dinner

Join us for this time of connection and, hopefully, convenience—as we share the table together on Wednesday evenings. Whether you are going to one of our Wednesday evening courses, Taizé Worship, choir practice, or you just want someone else to do the cooking and cleaning, we hope to see you!

Childcare is available by reservation during the meal and Wednesday evening courses and activities.

Each week, Chefs Colin Bryant and Kaitlin Workman will offer “specials” as well as the entire Mission Bell menu, featuring both vegan and gluten-free options just in case you need to change things up.

YOPD Support Group

Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease occurs in people age 50 or younger and affects less than ten percent of the one million people with Parkinson’s in the U.S. Our group meets the third Saturday of each month in room the Seminar Room W100/101. Guest speakers are invited to share information about how to live healthier and more active lives on our journey with Parkinson’s. If you are interested in learning more, please join us.

Grief Support Group for Men

Facilitated by Celeste Miller, Bereavement Coordinator at Porter Loring Mortuary, this group of men 65 and older, invite you to join them for support and fellowship as you grieve the loss of your wife. This ongoing group will focus on the different characteristics grieving men share, including, coping with loneliness. It is a place to honor your wife while moving towards a renewed and meaningful life. For more information, call 210-227-8221.

Grief Support Group for Women

Facilitated by Darwin Huartson M.Div., BCC., this group is open to women 60 and older who have lost a husband and would like to join with other women in a journey of sharing, comfort and healing. “Women in Grief” will provide you a safe place to explore the roots of your grief, learn ways to express and cope with it, and move on to a more refreshed and renewed life when you are ready. For more information, call 210-227-8221.

Solo Agers

Solo Agers is for anyone 65 and up who is aging on their own either by choice or circumstance. If you are living alone and have no family in town that you can count on, we invite you to join us. From meals together and local outings to day trips and service projects, we engage in a variety of activities to alleviate loneliness and foster connection and belonging. We also host conversations and guest speakers on topics especially relevant to our group. For more information, contact Rev. Linda Baumheckel.

Community Dinner

Join us for this time of connection and, hopefully, convenience—as we share the table together on Wednesday evenings.

Whether you are going to one of our Wednesday evening courses, Taizé Worship, choir practice, or you just want someone else to do the cooking and cleaning, we hope to see you!

Each week, Chefs Colin Bryant and Kaitlin Workman offer “specials” as well as the entire Mission Bell menu, featuring both vegan and gluten-free options just in case you need to change things up😬.

Childcare is available by reservation during both the meal and Wednesday evening courses and activities.

The Foundry

The Foundry is a ministry of young adults in their 20's and 30's creating belonging for one another to share their stories and lives with each other, grow in knowledge and love of God and neighbor, and follow their call to Kingdom work in our community and churches.

Join us for one of our bi-weekly Community Nights on Tuesdays, starting on September 12. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. and is followed by worship and conversation.

Various groups meet at our church to help those seeking sobriety and recovery from alcoholism.

GROUP	DAY	TIME	LOCATION
12-Step Study	Tuesdays	7:00 p.m.	W100/101
Men's Big Book	Wednesdays	6:30 p.m.	W104
Women's Big Book	Wednesdays	6:30 p.m.	W100/101

GROUP	DAY	TIME	LOCATION
ACADF	Thursdays	6:30 p.m.	W104

GROUP	DAY	TIME	LOCATION
Clarity Group	Sundays	5 p.m.	ZOOM

EDA is a Twelve-Step fellowship of individuals who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problems and help others to recover from their eating disorders.

GROUP	DAY	TIME	LOCATION
EDA	Sundays	5 p.m.	W105

The Pioneer Group is a fellowship of men and women in or interested in 12-Step Recovery. The format is an open discussion and study of the Bible and Recovery literature.

GROUP	DAY	TIME	LOCATION
Pioneer @ AHUMC	Fridays	7:15 p.m.	W100/101 & ZOOM

Helping people learn to identify and manage negative thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and behaviors that can lead to emotional distress and related physical symptoms.

GROUP	DAY	TIME	LOCATION
Mental Health Self-Help	Tuesdays	10 a.m.	ZOOM

Sexaholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope to solve their common problem and help others to recover from addiction to lust, pornography and sexual acting out. For more information about meetings, call or text at 210-570-6496.

GROUP	DAY	TIME	LOCATION
SA Group 1	Mondays	12 p.m.	W105
SA Group 2	Wednesdays	6:30 p.m.	W105
SA Group 3	Thursdays	12 p.m.	W105
SA Group 4	Fridays	12:30 p.m.	W105
SA Group 5	Fridays	7 p.m.	W105

GROUP	DAY	TIME	LOCATION
SLAA	Tuesdays	6:30 p.m.	W105

We think that the best thing we can do is have all of the answers.

But what would it look like if we were more interested in the questions?

Try using one of these phrases to tap into the curiousity and humility of the beginner's mind:

"I don't know. What do you think?"
"I value your insight and knowledge. Can you share more about that with me?"
"How are you feeling about this, right now?"
"I was thinking about [topic] and remembered it's something in which you are interested. Will you tell me a bit about it?"
"Do you have any suggestions for how I can learn more about that?"
"How would you approach this?"
"What was it like when [event] happened for you?"
"How can I help you?"

LEADERS:	Chris Estus, Ryan Jacobson, Darrell Smith
DAY:	Sundays - resuming Jan. 21
TIME:	11 a.m.
LOCATION:	W100 / 101

LEADER:	Donna Strieb
DAY:	Tuesdays - start date TBD
TIME:	10 a.m.
LOCATION:	W100 / 101

LEADER:	Ryan Jacobson
DAY:	Check back soon!
TIME:	Check back soon!
LOCATION:	AHUMC Parlor

LEADERS:	Priscilla MacDougall, Lynn Juel
DAY:	Tuesdays - beginning Jan. 9
TIME:	6 p.m.
LOCATION:	AHUMC Parlor

LEADERS:	Chris Estus, Ryan Jacobson, Darrell Smith
DAY:	Wednesdays - resuming Jan. 24
TIME:	12 p.m.
LOCATION:	AHUMC Parlor

LEADER:	Dave Williams
DAY:	Check back soon!
TIME:	Check back soon!
LOCATION:	CLC

WEEKLY SPECIAL:	View Menu
DAY:	Wednesdays - resuming Jan. 24
TIME:	5 - 7 p.m.
LOCATION:	AHUMC Atrium

LEADER:	Jim Beach
DAY:	Thursdays
TIME:	10:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	S107 & W100/101

LEADER:	Ed Dickey
DAY:	3rd Thursdays
TIME:	9 a.m. & 7 p.m.
LOCATION:	W105

LEADER:	Diane Renz
DAY:	3rd Saturdays
TIME:	10 a.m.
LOCATION:	W100 / 101

LEADER:	Molly O’Phelan
DAY:	Mondays
TIME:	1 - 2:30 p.m.
LOCATION:	W100 / 101

LEADER:	Darwin Huartson
DAY:	Mondays
TIME:	10 - 11:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	W100 / 101

LEADER:	Lynn Juel
DAY:	Sundays
TIME:	12 p.m.
LOCATION:	AHUMC Parlor

DAY:	Saturdays
TIME:	7:00-8:30 p.m.
LOCATION:	Northern Hills UMC

LEADERS:	Martha Krenz, Barbara Steed
DAY:	Wednesdays
TIME:	9:30-11:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	W105

LEADER:	Dale Clark
TIME:	9:45 a.m.
LOCATION:	E126

LEADER:	Darryl Richards
TIME:	9:45 a.m.
LOCATION:	E224

LEADERS:	Calvin Reynolds, Jim Summit
DAY:	Thursdays
TIME:	10 a.m.
LOCATION:	W104

LEADER:	Suzy Brysacz
DAY:	Thursdays
TIME:	9:30-11:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	E223

LEADER:	Rev. Bob Price
TIME:	9:45 a.m.
LOCATION:	E223

LEADERS:	Carolyn Lay & Jim Kleypas
TIME:	9:30 a.m.
LOCATION:	W100 / 101