Welcome ­to Midweek @ Buncombe Street! Wednesday nights at BSUMC are a weekly family reunion. The food is great, the fellowship is outstanding, and the classes are informative and relevant. There is an offering for everyone, so check it out! Inside you’ll find lists of monthly offerings, class dates and times, who the leaders are, and what the costs are. (Some classes are free and some require the purchase of a book. Click to email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or give him a call at 371-6088 for more information. Click this link to download a PDF of this year's brochure.

Adults will find five categories of classes offered this year:

• Bible includes classes on the Holy Scriptures. If you want to know more about the Bible, check out this category.

• Spirituality helps everyone achieve a closer, daily relationship with Christ. If you want to make God a part of your life, this is the category for you.

• Family is the nuts and bolts, an everyday lab for families. Look into this category for parenting, practical advice, and enrichment.

• Christ and Culture helps us to improve our lives as our faith relates to the world around us. Look here if you would like to know more about our denomination, and also if you would like to connect your denomination to current publications.

• Life is a system of small groups that helps you to cope with life. Look for groups that relate to where you are right now in life.

Church Dinners Are Great! Dinner is served beginning at 5:15 PM and lasts until 6:15 PM. The cost for an adult dinner entrée, salad bar, and a beverage is only $5. The cost for children under the age of 12 is $3. The cost for the salad bar and a beverage is only $3.

Excellent childcare is provided for infants through 2 year-olds. Parents, there are activities available for children above the age of 2 years.

Classes Offered All Year

Women at the Well Presents: A Cool Cup of Water! | September 1-April 13
Life is often crazy for BSUMC women. It can be a challenge just to make it to church for Wednesday night dinners, much less prepare for a class. Wouldn’t it be nice to gain encouragement to make it through the rest of the week? Women at the Well have the answer. Grab a girlfriend and join us for “A Cool Cup of Water.” This fall we’ll gather each Wednesday night for “girlfriend” time and a short devotional talk presented by a talented BSUMC woman or guest speaker. The goal will be to provide wisdom and encouragement for busy women. Topics and speakers will be announced several weeks in advance in the EMBRACE and on the church website. No preparation or sign-up will be required. Women will be encouraged to come as you are and be refreshed!

Book Exploration | September 1-November 17 and January 5-April 6
Beginning with the book, “Why I Believe” by D. James Kennedy, the class will tackle the classics, new releases, and everything in between. Purchase a copy of the book, and then come to the class for great discussion! New books, chosen by the group, will be studied every few weeks. This popular group even meets during the summer!
Category: Christ and Culture
Cost: Book cost
Leader: Pat Patton

Mature Singles (all year beginning September 1)
Do you have questions about being a single Christian in today’s world? Bring an open mind, a willingness to share, and ideas of topics, books to read, and a mindfulness of bettering your relationship with God.
Category: Life
Cost: None
Leader: Denise Mason

Worship-Related Offerings

A healing service is offered the first Wednesday of each month (except December) at 6:15 PM in Memorial Chapel.

Appetizers: BSUMC’s Wednesday Early Class
The Intergenerational Council sponsors this class every Wednesday at 3:30 PM for anyone who would prefer an early class followed by dinner. This option is good for any who stay at home, are retired, or work shifts; however, the class is open to anyone who would like to come. The class schedule with details will be published in the bulletin and EMBRACE.

Classes That Begin In September

Disciple I Bible Study (34 weeks) | September 1-May 11 from 5:30-7:30 PM
Read 70% of the Bible in the mother of all Bible studies. If you want to know what’s in there, take Disciple and you’ll know.
Category: Bible Study
Cost: $35
Leaders: To be announced

Alpha (10 weeks) | September 1-November 10 from 6:00-7:15 PM
If you don’t ask the questions, you’ll never get the answers. This is the perfect study to bring friends who are searching, or for anyone who would like a refresher. The meal cost is defrayed for this class, so bring your friends, and enjoy dinner for free!
Category: Bible Study
Cost: None
Leaders: Jack McDonald and Brock Bauknight

Building U 1 (10 weeks: only offered in the fall) | September 1-November 10
This class explains how we can be in relationship with Christ through the teaching of Spiritual Disciplines. Learn what’s in it for you when you commit even more to Christ.
Category: Spirituality
Cost: $10
Leader: Rev. Jerry Temple

Side-by-Side (6 weeks) | September 1-October 6
Attention, parents of teens. This study is geared towards parents with students participating in BSUMC’s Student Ministry. The class will explore how to make Jesus Christ the foundation of your family. The importance of journeying side-by-side will be discussed as will developing a Christ-centered life in which the home becomes the central place for spiritual growth. There is no cost; however, the book, “A Million Miles in a Thousand Years” by Donald Miller, is recommended as supplemental reading.
Category: Family
Cost: None*
Leaders: Carey and David Hudson

The Hole in Our Gospel (8 weeks) | September 1-October 20
Why are churches buying this book, and why did Willow Creek Church in Chicago give this book to every one of its members? The book, written by a former CEO, tells how he learned to set his own faith on fire. Find out where your “holes” are.
Category: Christ and Culture
Cost: None*
Leader: Rev. Jerry Hill

Crown Ministry Biblical Financial Study (10 weeks) | September 1-November 10 from 5:30-7:15 PM
Crown Ministries brings to light what the Bible says about money. Class participants will be encouraged to honor God with the use of the money that really belongs to Him. This class is a great follow-up to Financial Peace.
Category: Life
Cost: $55 per couple; $45 for single
Leader: Scott Davis

Prayer: Does It Make a Difference? (6 weeks) | September 8-October 13
Is God listening? Why should God care about me? Why do my prayers go unanswered? Does prayer change God or change me? This study is of Philip Yancey’s best-seller book.
Category: Life/Spirituality
Cost: $10
Leader: Jann McLane

How Children Develop Faith (6 weeks) | September 29-November 10
Christian Education is the heart of the church, where faith development begins at birth and is a life-long process. This class will explore the different ways children develop faith and how parents, and the faith community, are involved in the growth process. Come learn the why, what, and how we teach children in the church.
Category: Family
Cost: None
Leader: Rev. Gayle Quay

Classes That Begin In October

The Book of Ephesians (6 weeks) | October 6-November 10
BSUMC’s congregational specialist leads a popular study using the Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) method of study, including: Silence: Quieting oneself before reading the word; Preparation: Focusing the mind on the central theme of the text; Reading: Carefully reading a passage of Scripture; Meditation: Exploring the meaning of the Bible passage (head, knowledge); Contemplation: Yielding oneself to God’s will (what the Scripture says to me); Prayer: Listening for God’s voice through the Scripture; and, Incarnation: Resolving to act on the passage of Scripture (what my response is to the scripture).
Category: Bible Study
Cost: $5
Leader: Rev. Cathy Joens

Special Events In December

There will be special events held during December. Two events will be held on December 1: the Annual Advent Wreath workshop, and Rev. Susan Leonard-Ray who returns to BSUMC and will speak to the adults. On December 8, the St. Nicholas Dinner and Christmas Festival of Music will be held.

Classes That Begin In January

Building U 2 (10 weeks: only offered in the winter) | January 5-March 23
Explore the Bible and learn why you are here and what you need to do about it.
Category: Spirituality
Cost: $10
Leader: Rev. Jerry Hill

Alpha (10 weeks) | January 5-March 16 from 6:00-7:15 PM
If you don’t ask the questions, you’ll never get the answers. This is the perfect study to bring friends who are searching, or for anyone who would like a refresher. The meal cost is defrayed for this class, so bring your friends, and enjoy dinner for free!
Category: Bible Study
Cost: None
Leaders: To be determined

Have a New Kid by Friday (6 weeks) | January 5-February 9
This class explores how to change or develop your child’s attitude, behavior, and character. Dr. Kevin Leman, world-renowned Christian lecturer on family issues, is the author of this study.
Category: Family
Cost: $8
Leader: David Stubbs

Our God is Awesome: Encountering the Greatness of Our God (13 weeks) | January 5-April 6
Grounded in biblical truth and packed with captivating illustrations from everyday life, this study details fourteen key characteristics of God and examines how they can enhance and cultivate your relationship with Him. The more you know about God, the more awestruck you become, and the more you will worship Him.
Category: Spirituality
Cost: $12
Leader: Rev. Jerry Temple

Prayer: Does It Make a Difference? (6 weeks) | January 5-February 9
The study explores the compelling themes developed by Philip Yancey in his book, “Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?” The curriculum probes prayer—the very heartbeat, fundamental, challenging, perplexing, and deeply rewarding aspect of our relationship with God. What is prayer, and how does it work? More importantly, does it work?
Category: Life/Spirituality
Cost: $10
Leader: Jann McLane

“Buncombe Street’s Biggest Loser” | Begins January 5
Just in time for resolution season, BSUMC will offer our own “Biggest Loser” competition where we will use the power of a group and professional training to make a difference in that dwelling place of God called “your body.” Details will be available in the monthly EMBRACE newsletter and on the website.
Category: Life
Cost: To be announced
Leader: Deb Bucci

Classes That Begin In February

This We Believe: The Core of Wesleyan Beliefs (8 weeks) | February 9-April 6
For John Wesley, the Bible was the joyfully consistent testimony of God’s never-ending grace and ever-seeking love. For us, studying the Bible is more than merely knowing what Scripture says; it is also about living every day as a child of God. Author and BSUMC son, Bishop William H. Willimon, systematically lays out key Wesleyan tenets of faith so that you will have a fresh way to hear God’s voice.
Category: Christ and Culture
Cost: $12
Leader: Rev. John Miller

The “I Am” Sayings of Jesus (6 weeks) | February 16-March 30
BSUMC’s congregational specialist leads another popular study using the Lectio Divina (Divine Reading) method of study. This study will explore the “I Am” sayings of Jesus, which offer great insight into his nature, his mission, and his unique connection to God and to us.
Category: Bible Study
Cost: $5
Leader: Rev. Cathy Joens

The Care and Feeding of Middle Schoolers | (3 weeks)
February 16-March 2
Do you have one of “those” people? Are you going to be sending your precious child to Middle School next year, and could you be worried about what is going to come home that only looks like your child? Gain all kinds of practical tips from a veteran middle school teacher and guidance counselor.
Category: Family
Cost: None
Leader: Ginny Doolittle

Classes That Begin In March

Defending Your Faith (4 weeks) | March 16-April 6
This is a study of Josh McDowell’s short book, “More Than a Carpenter.” With more than 10,000,000 copies of the book in print worldwide, the book is a fact-filled logical look at helping to provide a foundation of our faith in Christ when meeting those who are skeptical about Jesus’ deity, his resurrection, and his claims on our lives. This class is especially good for new college students entering new realms of influence. It’s also an excellent study for those who are in the workplace or anywhere else where skepticism abounds.
Category: Family/Christ and Culture
Cost: $5
Leader: Dr. Mickey Smith