Most of us want to experience intimacy with God and to have a deeper relationship with Christ. One of the clearest paths to experiencing God is in a sharing and caring small group that values prayer and that listens for the movement of the Holy Spirit.
Companions in Christ provides paths for each of us to grow closer to God. It involves approximately 20-30 minutes of daily reading and reflecting, plus a small group meeting with fellow companions once a week for approximately 11/2 - 2 hours. These elements help create the space for God to draw near and abide with each person. Companions in Christ is open to anyone, including non-members of UCUMC.
This program is truly an inspiring spiritual growth program. We believe it will make a difference in your life as it has in the lives of those who have participated, and it will encourage renewal in the life of our congregation.
Please read the following excerpts from testimonials of some of our former participants:
"Perhaps you have come to this time and place with questions and feet dragging as I did, thinking, "Just one more meeting." I can guarantee you will feel completely the opposite and not want to miss by the time you have met a few weeks. The presence of the Lord will be felt in and through each meeting. I felt very close to God each week as lessons "spoke" to me in new and meaningful ways. New ways of praying and connecting with God's spirit in me have helped to deepen my love for Him and that spirit flowed over the whole group." Marilyn Birmingham
"Companions in Christ is a class that will demystify spiritual formation and put you on a path of continued
growth. You can begin wherever you presently are ...there are no prerequisite classes. You will find ways to nurture your soul and make it your center from which all of your thoughts and actions resonate. You will find yourself growing spiritually through God's gentle graces and you will contribute to the growth of others also. God will not do it all for you, but as you seek Him through your weekly readings you will find
his hand more and more present in all that you are. It is not a self-help class or one of problem solving. It is not a class of right and wrong answers, but a sharing of thoughts and experiences. As you participate you find clarity and vision. You will sing together, pray together, and find joy together as you discover that God resides gracefully in your soul." Joyce Glessner
"The presence of the Lord will be felt in and through each meeting. I felt very close to God each week as lessons 'spoke' to me in new and meaningful ways. New ways of praying and connecting with God's Spirit in me have helped to deepen my love for Him and that spirit flowed over the whole group."
Companions in Christ
A poem by: Diana Brown
Companions in Christ,
what has it meant to me?
A spiritual exploration
of who God wants me to be.
It's helped me to remember
each and every day,
how very important
it is to pray.
It's been a time of introspection
and a time of relating to others.
Sharing insights
with our sisters and brother.
I'm glad the Lord has lead me
to this time and to this place,
for with my Companions in Christ,
again I've experienced God's grace.
We have had a live Nativity Story depicting the story of Jesus’ birth for the last three years and it just keeps growing. It is held on the church grounds on several different evenings each December. Groups are led by villagers who guide them through a set of five scenes, including the crèche scene and the flight to Egypt. Live animals, costumed characters, and realistic re-enactments make The Nativity Story a very special event during the Christmas season! Hot apple cider and cookies are served and admission is always free.
Come enjoy a free Dinner and a Movie in Fellowship Hall once a month on the last Friday of the month at 6 p.m.
Anniversary Picnic and Spring Festival
A community outreach held on a Sunday in April after church under the trees. It includes homemade dishes by the church members, music, carnival booths, balloon animals, and other fun things for the kids. Often includes an Easter egg hunt.
Happy Birthday, Jesus, Party held during the Christmas season as a community outreach in the Fellowship Hall. The evening includes a meal, a visit from Santa for the little ones, and a story hour. The party is scheduled for mid-December.
Other church wide and family events are held periodically such as musical sing-a-longs, carnivals, and ice cream socials.
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Ignite Your Life class for young adults 18-25 led by Dave & Vivian Wagoner - Sundays 7 at 11 a.m. in Room 14. |
Sojourners (Young Couples) Sojourners is for young couples with or without children. We WILL NOT meet this summer; however, we have a tentative meeting date of August 18 at 7:30pm in the Church Library to read, study and discuss God's Word as well as share parenting skills and ideas. We do occasionally go on Sojourners weekend camping trips. Please feel free to join us anytime - we'd love to have you! |
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First Place Weight Loss Group - Biblically based weight loss program for men and women. Study, mutual support, and help. Ongoing; no end date. –meets Tuesdays, 7 - 8:30 p.m. Led by Kathy Tisdale. |
Recycled Card Ministry - Make used cards new again with Corrinne Berkland and others on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, 9-11 a.m. Cards sold in Fellowship Hall and the Narthex; proceeds benefit Missions. |
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Wednesday Morning Women's Bible Study - Weekly class, led by Meem Baumgartner, 9-11 a.m. New Testament class on Paul's Letter to the Romans. Led by Rev. Gene Thompson. Tuesdays, 7-8 p.m., Rooms 16-17. Start anytime. |
Ignite into the Word companion Bible study for young adults led by Lenny Dagg & Bob MacMillan. Includes discipleship opportunities outside the church. Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Room 14. |
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Prayer Meeting Pray for the needs of the church and this community of faith each Wed. in the sanctuary from 6-6:30 p.m. |
Non-Emmaus Reunion Group - Group of women led by Sally Cook study and share each Wed. from 6:30-7:30 p.m. |
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The Ageless Group (T.A.G.) - Those age 50+ meet the 1st Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m. for food, fellowship, speakers, and fun. |
Women of UCUMC/United Methodist Women - Third Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. for food, fellowship, planning, and a message. |
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Free Dinner & A Movie - last Friday of the month at 6 p.m. Great meal and movie for all ages. All are welcome. |
Brand new small group has started for singles, widows, and divorcees. Food, fun, Discussion, and information. Group meets the second Friday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Library. |
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Write Your Family History - Idea sharing on how to research, organize, and start writing our personal history for our family. Led by Martha Thorpe; meets second Friday of the month at 9 a.m. in the Church Library. |
United Methodist Men - third Sat. at 8 a.m. for breakfast, fellowship, and meeting. Many fun activities for the church and outreach ministries. |
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Running/Walking for Christ Group has begun. First Sat. of the month at 8 a.m. for a fun run or walk and fellowship. Contact Shelley Moseley through the Church Office or call her number in the directory if you are interested. This group has its own website: www.runningforchrist.com |
Christian Car Club - Breakfast at the Los Arcos Restaurant in the Randolph Plaza Shopping Center (behind the UC Post Office) the second Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. For those interested in repairing, maintaining, refurbishing, racing, or taking about cars. Open to everyone interested. Periodically we enter parades and "adopt" a car for cleaning. Led by Ed Thorpe. |
| New Opportunities |
Alpha at UCUMC! Stay tuned for Fall 2010 dates. |
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Sojourners class Sojourners is for young couples with or without children. We WILL NOT meet this summer; however, we have a tentative meeting date of August 18 at 7:30pm in the Church Library to read, study and discuss God's Word as well as share parenting skills and ideas. We do occasionally go on Sojourners weekend camping trips. Please feel free to join us anytime - we'd love to have you! |
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Ignite Your Life class for young adults 18-25 led by Dave & Vivian Wagoner - Sundays at 11 a.m. in Room 14. |
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Financial Peace University |
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Wed. Morning Bible Study for Women- 9 .am. - Led by Meem Baumgartner. |
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New Testament class on Paul's Letter to the Romans. Led by Rev. Gene Thompson. Tuesdays, 7-8 p.m., Rooms 16-17. Start anytime. |
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Ignite in the Word companion Bible study for young adults led by Lenny Dagg & Bob MacMillan. Includes discipleship opportunities outside the church. Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. in Room 14. |
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Wednesday night supper and fellowship are available on Wednesdays during the school year (except close to holidays). The cost is $3 person or $10 for a family of 4 or more. The meal includes a main course, salad or vegetable, dessert and drink from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a meal each week before your class, group, or music practice. It’s a great time to experience mid-week fellowship with those in the community of faith.
After supper there is time to attend the church wide Prayer Meeting before your class or group. We meet in the Sanctuary from 6:00-6:30 to pray for the ministries of UCUMC and our community of faith.
Duties include and are not limited to:
Did you know Universal City United Methodist Church has a Library? It is located in Rm.1, the room nearest to the parking lot. Hours of operation are Sundays 8:30 to 12:00 (except for the 9:30 hour when a Sunday School class meets in there) and Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00 pm.. Any other time you may get a key from the church office. The library has over 4000 secular and non-secular items consisting of videos, books on tape, reference material, non-fiction, biographies, books for youth, and children's books. Check-out information is posted in the library.
The purpose of the library is to enrich and encourage growth through Christian based material. Volunteers are always needed and donations are accepted.
Giving a book is always a true gift in memory or honor of someone. I hope that you will stop by and CHECK IT OUT! Any questions please contact Darlene Durham at the church 659-5555 ext. 18. She is in the library on Thursday from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. Any other time, please leave a voice mail
Last Updated Saturday, June 12 2010 @ 06:13 PM CDT|290 Hits 
