A new summer Bible study entitled “The Story of the Bible” will be led by Pete Fleming starting Tuesday, July 12th.  This six-week course will be offered on Tuesday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in room F-147, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. The study begins July 12th and will conclude on August 16th.  Discussion will focus on the impact of the Bible on Western Civilization and in daily living.

Participants are should bring their favorite Bible. Pete will provide written guidance for upcoming discussions prior to each class, and will introduce many books on the subject. Discussions will be augmented by video presentations from Luke Timothy Johnson, Amy-Jill Levine, and Bart Ehrman, all recognized Biblical scholars.

Register by June 30th for this course by contacting Tracy Brinker by e-mail at tbrinker@duluthumc.org, or calling 770-476-3776.

The Bible and a Book, a weekly course which combines reading the book Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People with a study of 1 John, will be led by Rev. Beth Brown Shugart. The class will be offered in-person on Sunday afternoons in rooms F-147, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center, from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. beginning August 7th and continuing through September 11th. Bring your lunch and stay for this class after worship.

Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People is one of the most eye-opening and most helpful books I have ever read. I am grateful to Rev. Beth Brown Shugart for introducing me to it.

Our world is rife with questions about race, gender, and other classifications. God calls us to do our part to make our world more just and free for all of us.  I cannot think of a better response to God's call than educating ourselves with this book and joining this discussion together.

Rev. Terry Tippens

Please register with Tracy Brinker by e-mail at tbrinker@duluthumc.org or by calling the church at 770-476-3776.  To participate you will need to purchase the book Blind Spot: Hidden Biases of Good People by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald.  It is highly recommended that you purchase a hard copy, rather than an e-book. Registration closes on Sunday, July 31st.

Happiness - how can we study that when it is often so elusive and evasive? At times, our culture has happiness for sale. If I don’t buy it, then how do I have happiness? What is the difference between joy and happiness?  Does God really have a plan for our happiness? There are lots of questions to discuss!

Join us for a “Happiness” Bible Study on Thursday mornings, 10:00 to 11:30 a.m., beginning April 21st and continuing through May 27th. The class will meet in rooms F-145/146, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center.

There is no book to purchase and study materials will be provided. About half of the material will come from an out-of-print book, Created for Happiness, published by United Methodist Women and used by permission. There will be other sources and lots of Bible passages.

Jenny Masterson will lead the study. Please register by contacting Jenny by e-mail at jennybobm@comcast.net or calling 678-591-0800. Come, bring your Bible and contribute your questions, thoughts and progress of life with God and happiness.