Women Studying Together, the Thursday morning Bible study group at the church for women, have begun a new series on the New Testament Book of Galatians. This is a six-week study, ending on May 29th. 
 
Galatians reads much like a defense of the gospel with Paul as the attorney. Why is he so concerned that the Galatians (and us) understand the purpose of the law; that we are all one in Christ; that we live by the Spirit? All the images that Paul uses portray life, abundant life, a life of freedom. With both reasoning and emotional pleading, Paul urges us to not get side-tracked by a different gospel.  But what is that different gospel that we should avoid?
 
Women Studying Together meets from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in room F207, located on the 2nd floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. Discussion is led by Jenny Masterson, and there is no book to buy for this study, just bring your Bible and join us. As we study, we ask questions, search for answers, share our stories, laugh and pray together. Sometimes, we even sing! We welcome all women.
 
If you would like more information, please contact Jenny Masterson by e-mail at jennybobm@comcast.net or call 678-591-0800.

The Men Studying Together group meets for Bible/book studies on Thursday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in room F145, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center. This study is led by Rev. Terry Tippens.

All are invited to join us, and every class time will allow for individual input and group discussion. Please contact Tracy Brinker by e-mail at tbrinker@duluthumc.org or at 770-476-3776 for more information.

Rev. Beth Brown Shugart invites you to read Say Yes to What’s Next by Duluth First UMC member Lori Allen, and then join Beth and Lori on Monday, June 2nd, for a discussion of the book. Women today are facing so much uncertainty—about life and the future. For Lori Allen, business owner, breast cancer survivor, and star of TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta, her advice stems from the ups and downs of her personal life: from building one of the biggest and busiest bridal mega-salons in the country to navigating her position in the sandwich generation and caring for a husband battling cancer during her own breast cancer diagnosis and treatment.

We will meet from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in room F145, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center to discuss the book. Please contact Beth by e-mail at bshugart@duluthumc.org, or call 770-476-3776, ext. 128, if you have any questions.

A new 24-week study on the Old Testament led by Pete Fleming began on Tuesday, January 7, and Wednesday, January 8, 2025. This study will examine the literary and historical dimensions of the Old Testament (the Hebrew Bible), probing deeply into the inner meanings of the biblical texts, especially in their Hebrew translations. It will also look in depth at the history, dating, and writing of the texts themselves, and will examine the texts’ literary and linguistic features, noting how they achieve their impact on the reader.

The Understanding the Old Testament study will utilize the Great Courses video “Understanding the Old Testament” by the late Robert Donald Miller II, who received his PhD in Biblical and Near Eastern Studies from the University of Michigan. He taught at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., rising to Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies in the School of Theology, and was a scholar of the history, literature, religion, and archaeology of Ancient Israel in the First Temple Period.

This study will be offered on:

• Tuesday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in room F154, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center.
• Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7:15 p.m. in room F151, located on the 1st floor of the Sheldon Family Life Center.

The same class will be offered on Tuesday mornings and Wednesday evenings, so attend whatever day works best for your schedule.

Anyone interested in participating in these classes should contact Pete Fleming by e-mail at lfleming3832@att.net, call 678-575-3761, or in person.