Welcome to St. Andrew's by the Sea United Methodist Church

Meets Sunday mornings at 8:45am in the RIO Center (next door to the church)

Join The Seekers Adult Sunday School Class. This quarter the authors shine the spotlight on individuals – some of them rather obscure – who model commitment to God’s will. They invite us into lives and circumstances of people who chose commitment over convenience, action over apathy, and risk over reward. Their lives and choices inspire our own as we continue to live out of the commitment God has made to us and we have made to God. We meet in the RIO Senior Center Sundays from 08:45 to 10:00am, so you can still fellowship with friends on the patio before the 10:30 am worship service. Come check us out! Contact Ann Small for more information or to get a book.

Ever wonder what your unique contribution to this world is? Curious about what God may be calling you to do next? Can’t quite balance your preferences with your talents? Explore these questions and more via the upcoming “Spiritual Gifts” seminar scheduled on Tuesday evenings, May 5^th, 12^th, 19^th, and 26^th, at 7 pm in Rm. SS1. Deb Donoghue and Sally Lee Howd will be facilitating.

Contact Ann Small at 369-5893 or at spiritform@sabts.org to enroll. Child care will be available upon request!

There are 2.1 billion Christians world-wide. How are you connected to them – and are YOU one? Not sure, then get down to the basics! This seminar explores the unique beliefs & behaviors of Christians worldwide, and grounds new and re-committed disciples in the core teachings of Jesus Christ and his church. Pastor Paula Ferris leads this offering. Wed., June 9^th,16^thand 23^rd at 7:30 pm.

Many things assault our sense of peace and balance —raising kids, stressful jobs, troubled marriages, and retirement worries. This four-week seminar will explore the underlying meaning of the famous "Serenity Prayer." Discover how to lean on the peace of Christ when life seems out of control. Led by Pastor Paula Ferris on Wed., July 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, and 28^th at 7:30 pm.

Want a fresh start? Looking to connect more deeply at St. Andrew’s? This lively 2-part seminar is an ideal way to meet new people, explore opportunities for spiritual growth, consider how you might fit in a contemporary Christian community & discover how our family of faith can support you in your faith walk. Wed., July 7^th and July 14th at 7:30 pm. Facilitated by the Staff.

“Connect Groups” for women meet for about one hour on Monday mornings for coffee at 8:30 am and Wednesdays at 4 pm. Utilizing the topical “Wired Word” on-line study as a framework, the groups provide a means for women to share and connect on a deeper level.

“Seekers,” an ongoing Sunday morning Bible study, meets Sundays at the Rio Senior Center from 8:45 – 10 am. Each lesson is self-contained so you can drop in on any one class. If you’d like to get better grounded in Scripture in a casual environment, this group will support you as you learn!

“Beyond Words” is a relaxed women’s group that uses guided prayer, poetry, quiet reflection, and music to listen more deeply to God’s word. The group meets monthly on the fourth Monday evening, from 7:30 – 8:30 pm. Lynn Mays and Sharon Sims facilitate.

Although transformation comes from questions not answers, we often look to the Bible as the book of answers. How often, though, do we consider the challenging questions God asks?

This eight week study, beginning in September, will challenge, engage, and inspire you to begin listening to the questions God is asking you every day. Each of 10 questions excerpted from the Old and New Testaments serve as a starting point for genuine conversation with our Creator.

A variety of study groups and times will be available for everyone! More info to follow!!

For more registration information or to request child care, contact Ann Small, 369-5893 or at spiritform@sabts.com

Mom to Mom is our caring ministry designed to help mothers of little ones from ages 0-5. Through creative expressions, topical discussions, and delicious snacks, moms grow to love and support each other. And the best part is, childcare is provided! For more information contact Emily Bredthauer.

Parents of children through first grade are invited to have supper together at 6:30pm. Then the children will go to their own program while the adults enjoy fellowship and hearing speakers on topics of family, marriage, and parenting. Contact Emily Bredthauer for more information or to RSVP.

Covenant Groups are a gathering of 6 to 8 people who wish to deepen their faith, grow spiritually, and who are willing to be accountable to one another along that journey. Each group writes its own covenant to cover the areas of essential discipleship:
   - acts of compassion
   - acts of worship
   - acts of justice
   - acts of devotion
with specific activities and suggestions listed for each area of discipleship.

Once the Covenant has been agreed upon, the group will meet regularly for
one hour, with the Leadership rotating among members. The agenda is simply to open with prayer, and in turn, allow each person to share where they have succeeded, struggled or grown in each of those areas, and where they have noticed the prompting of the Holy Spirit during the week. The meeting closes with prayers, and should be careful to be true to the time commitment.

Any one, of any age may join or begin a Covenant Group. The meeting times are entirely up to the group. Any one interested may contact Ann Small for more information, or to see if another group is starting up, as we hope to have new groups starting up all the time!

Weekly Meditation Group

Every Monday from 6-7 p.m. at St. Clement's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church's library, (202 Avenida Aragon in San Clemente) This group is part of The World Community for Christian Meditators which holds weekly meetings all over the world. There is no obligation to come every week and if you are new to meditation, there is a very simple method that will be shared with you. It is a simple, silent internal prayer guided by God's command in the book of Isaiah and in the words of the Psalmist: "Be still and know that I am God." If you have any questions, please contact Robert Puff.

Spritual Formation Ministries