Seaside United Methodist Church

Fall Classes for 2017

Posted on August 17, 2017 by Stefanie Riley Posted in Classes Leave a comment

Click here for a downloadable class information schedule!

Read about all of our great Fall Classes, and Register using the form at the bottom of the page

Ezra: Inductive Bible Study

Category: Bible Study
Facilitator: Lorraine Meehan
Level of Difficulty: Beginner to Medium
Begins: Wednesday, September 20, 5:30-7:00 p.m. (5 weeks)
Room: 222

This in-depth look at the Old Testament chronicles the lives and conflicts of ordinary men and women who faced overwhelming situations charged with fear and fraught with discouragement. This study will take you directly to the Word of God, where you will learn precepts of life that will enable you to conquer fear and overcome discouragement. Class format is a blend of teaching and group discussion.

Disciple I Fast Track: Old Testament

Category: Bible Study
Facilitator: Scott Wilson-Parsons
Level of Difficulty: Beginner to Medium
Begins: Monday, September 25, 1:30-3:00 p.m.
Room: 210
***Informational meeting for those wanting more details and for those who plan to take the course will be held on Monday, September 11 at 1:30 p.m.****
This 12-week study immerses the participant in the Old Testament. Fast Track groups meet for a total of 24 weeks, devoting 12 weeks each to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Participants read a manageable 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings. Participants have the opportunity to take a spiritual gifts assessment and determine meaningful ways they can serve and live out their discipleship commitment. They also have opportunities for celebrations marking their completion of the Old and New Testament components of Disciple Fast Track. Class format is a blend of teaching, DVD and group discussion.

The Lies We Believe About God

Category: Theology
Facilitator: Stefanie Riley
Level of Difficulty: Medium to Advanced
Begins: Monday, September 25, 1:30—3:00 p.m. (8 weeks)
Room: Choir Room

From the author of the twenty million plus copy bestselling novel The Shack comes a compelling, conversational exploration of the wrong-headed ideas we sometimes have and share about God. With personal anecdotes Paul Young encourages readers to think anew about important issues including sin, religion, hell, politics, identity, creation, human rights, and helping us discover God’s deep and abiding love. Explore 28 “lies we believe about God” such as… God loves us, but doesn’t like us; God is a prude; God blesses my politics; God is disappointed in me; And more! Class format is group discussion.

God of the Possible

Category: Theology
Facilitator: Stefanie Riley
Level of Difficulty: Advanced
Begins: Monday, September 25, 10:00-11:30 a.m. (9 weeks)
Room: Choir Room

Is God’s mind ever changed? Does God know everything about the future? Are we really allowed to choose our future, or has it been predetermined for us? We will tackle these questions and more as we study a theological perspective on God’s nature as it relates to free will. This class will challenge you to think differently both about Scripture and your own life as we study a different view on God’s nature and character. Class format is a blend of lecture and group discussion. Please note: This course is also a pre-requisite for other Advanced Theology courses.

Klesis: God’s Call and the Journey of Faith

Category: Discipleship Development
Facilitator: Doug Allen
Level of Difficulty: Beginner
Begins: Wednesday, September 27, 1:30-3:00 p.m. (8 weeks)
Room: 207

The call of God is extended to every person; first to become a believer in Jesus, then to become his presence in the world. This course was written to help Christians more carefully consider how God might be calling them to be the presence of Christ in their world. More than a spiritual gifts study, Klesis leads participants to a more holistic consideration of their unique call: by exploring the call stories of biblical characters; by
considering the relationship between call and discipleship; through self-assessed identity and personality instruments; by exploring a biblical view of ministry. Class format is a blend of teaching and group discussion.

Discovering God’s Vision For Your Life: You and Your Spiritual Gifts

Category: Discipleship Development
Facilitator: Meg Good
Level of Difficulty: Beginner
Begins: Wednesday, September 27, 1:30-3:00 p.m. (8 weeks)
Room: 222

The Holy Spirit has given each of us unique gifts to carry out God’s work in the world. It is not necessarily easy, however, to discover our gifts or to develop and use them effectively. In this class you will discover the unique gifts God has given you. You will find renewed understanding of who God created you to be and God’s design for your Christian community. You will also explore opportunities to develop and use your gifts in the congregation and community. Class format is a blend of teaching and group discussion.

Fresh Air: The Holy Spirit for an Inspired Life

Category: Christian Living
Facilitator: Len Bernauer
Level of Difficulty: Beginner
Begins: Thursday, September 28, 10:00—11:30 a.m. (8 weeks)
Room: 222

Lively, wise, profound, and winsome, this refreshing new book takes the Holy Spirit from the mountaintop to the grit of everyday life by showing us that the Holy Spirit is not just about speaking in tongues, spiritual gifts or “fruits”–but also about our deepest breath and our highest aspirations. Provocative and life-changing, Fresh Air blends moving personal stories, rich biblical studies, and practical strategies for experiencing the daily presence of the Holy Spirit where we least expect it–in human breathing, in social transformation, in community, in hostile situations, and in serious learning. Class format is group discussion.

The Frazzled Female

Category: Christian Living
Facilitators: Pat Nutter & Martha Eaton
Level of Difficulty: Beginner
Begins: Wednesday, October 4, 9:30—11:00 a.m. (6 weeks)
Room: 222

By sitting at the feet of Jesus and absorbing his teaching, women will be able to deal with essential issues like managing their time, getting along with difficult people, taking time for themselves, and even
organizing their lives. This thought-provoking, yet light-hearted, study helps women discover practical, biblical help to confront issues that otherwise leave them discouraged. It helps participants develop biblical skills to handle stressful situations; grow in their relationship with Jesus; and ultimately experience peace, joy, and a saner lifestyle. Class format is DVD and group discussion.

Praying Our Goodbyes (by Joyce Rupp)

Category: Christian Living
Facilitator: Mary Jane Wilson-Parsons
Level of Difficulty: Beginner
Begins: Friday, October 6, 10:00—11:30 a.m. (6 weeks)
Room: 222

Everyone experiences losses. It might be the death of a loved one, a job change, a divorce, the end of a friendship, an extended health problem, financial instability, or a mid-life crisis. In Praying Our Goodbyes, Joyce Rupp helps readers reflect, ritualize, and reorient themselves – to help heal the hurts and anxieties caused by saying goodbye to one season of life and hello to another. Class format is group discussion.

Register For Any Classes Using The Form Below:

Holy Land Christians Visit Seaside on August 20

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Scott Wilson-Parsons Posted in Events, News Leave a comment

On August 20, 2017, Dr. George Ghanem, a native of Bethlehem, will visit Seaside to give us an update on the plight of Christians living in the Holy Land. George works with the Holy Land Christian Solidarity Cooperative. While here, the church will be hosting a nice display of handmade olivewood religious articles from Bethlehem and Jerusalem available for purchase in the Church Fellowship Hall. These carvings include olivewood Nativity sets, crosses, Christmas ornaments, candle holders, angles and many other religious crafts that make nice wedding, baptism, confirmation, Easter, and especially Christmas gifts.

These carvings are handmade by our Christian families in Bethlehem who rely on it for their daily bread. For more than ten years those Christians have been enduring many hardships as tourism in Bethlehem has plummeted and access to other sources of income has been sharply restricted due to the ongoing conflict. The Christian population of the Holy Land went down from 30% in the last century to almost 1% today.

Please help support our Christian brothers and sisters in the town where Christ was born by purchasing their carvings. George Ghanem, an indigenous Christian from Bethlehem will be sharing the story of the Christians of the Holy Land and he will be presenting these carvings after each service. Proceeds go to support Christian families in Bethlehem. It is never too late to help! Please, help us defeat ISIS by supporting the Holy Land Christians.

The website showing the olivewood religious carvings is www.holylandcsc.com

Download a copy of their flyer

Disciple II 2017-2018

Posted on July 25, 2017 by meg Posted in Classes Leave a comment

Disciple II “Into the Word Into the World”

Leader: Scott Wilson-Parsons

Begins Wednesday, August 30, 2017; 9:00-11:30 a.m. – (32 Weeks), Rm. 210

LIMITED ENROLLMENT: 15 (Must have completed DISCIPLE I or FastTrack before taking this class.)

The Disciple: Into the Word Into the World Study retains the familiar DISCIPLE format with its theme word, theme verse, statement of the human condition, daily and weekly assignments, and prayer for daily use. At some point in your study of every lesson, you make decisions about how you will respond to Scripture in terms of ministry in the world. Each week you will be guided in experiencing the gift of Sabbath rest and renewal.

Each member of the group needs a study manual and a Bible. The Bible is the text for the study and the study manual will guide group members in their study and preparation for the weekly group session. The study manual also includes suggestions for individual research and study-related activities. Space is provided for taking notes while reading Scripture, for recording thoughts and questions arising out of daily study, and for notes during the weekly group session.

The titles of the sessions along with theme words and theme verses, and major persons, events, and topics will set the sequence of the biblical story in the minds of the participants. The principal Scripture for each session follows the chronological movement of the biblical story.

Commitment and Time Involved

32 week study
Three and one-half to four hours of independent study each week (40 minutes daily for leaders and 30 minutes daily for group members) in preparation for weekly group meetings.
Attendance at weekly 2.5 hour meetings

Disciple: Into the Word Into the World is the second study in the four-phase Disciple program and is prepared for those who are graduates of Disciple: Becoming Disciples Through Bible Study. This study proclaims the transforming power of Scripture while teaching Bible study skills that take participants deeper into the Scripture. The importance of keeping Bible study related to witness is reinforced while participants are encouraged to practice spiritual disciplines arising out of Scripture for the purpose of changing habits and transforming lives. The study also emphasizes the rhythm of coming to God and going for God, of being in the Word and in the world individually and corporately. This study understands the growing Christian as under discipline in community and in ministry to the world. Disciple: Into the Word Into the World approaches all experiences of life as opportunities for faithful witness and service.

STARS Congregational Survey

Posted on July 17, 2017 by Scott Wilson-Parsons Posted in News, STARS Leave a comment

Your Feedback is Important

As many are aware, STARS, our summer literacy and enrichment camp, is heavily funded by the Duke Endowment. STARS is one of two model programs funded by the endowment in the state of North Carolina with an eye to replicating such programs in other communities. As a result, we have been asked to participate in research projects around our program that might be useful for other churches who would like to attempt a similar program that might also receive endowment funding. As a part of fulfilling our grant requirement, The Duke Endowment has requested that we conduct a congregational survey. Your feedback is important. The survey is a short 7 questions and should takes no more than a few minutes to complete. You may complete the survey on line or you may pick up a paper copy will be available at the Welcome Desk on Sunday or Fellowship Hall area during the week. You may also download a survey to print and complete at home and return to the church office by downloading a printable copy and returning it to the church by August 1. Thank you for your assistance.

Complete the Survey online

Download a printable copy

Please remember to return printable copy by August 1

What Is “Proper Matter” for the Bread in United Methodist Celebrations of Holy Communion?

Posted on July 13, 2017 by Scott Wilson-Parsons Posted in News, Pastors' Blog, Uncategorized Leave a comment

July 12, 2017

By Taylor Burton-Edwards

Used by permission under GNU 1.2 License. appears at https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EucharistELCA.JPG — Used by permission under GNU 1.2 License.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EucharistELCA.JPG

On July 8, 2017, the Vatican issued a letter to all bishops in the Roman Catholic Church, worldwide, reminding them of their responsibilities under Canon Law to ensure that “proper matter” is being used for the Eucharist (the celebration of the Lord’s Supper) in the dioceses under their supervision. Proper matter for the bread to be used in the Eucharist, per centuries of Roman Catholic sacramental doctrine, is unleavened wheaten bread with no other grains or adulterants present. The letter clarified that while low-gluten wheat wafers may be used, gluten-free wafers, which are made with no wheat at all (because wheat contains gluten!) were not.

click below to read more…

Source: What Is “Proper Matter” for the Bread in United Methodist Celebrations of Holy Communion?

Office Staff Changes

Posted on July 10, 2017 by Scott Wilson-Parsons Posted in News Leave a comment

We are pleased to announce that Kathleen Thompson, formerly our Church Secretary, assumed the duties of Office Manager on July 3, 2017. Mary Ellen Good, our Director of Communications continues in this role with expanded duties and hours. We anticipate full coverage of our office hours and duties with this new arrangement. Our pastors and members of the Staff Parish Relations Committee are grateful that we are able to rely upon such a competent staff.

STARS 2017 Has Begun

Posted on June 28, 2017 by Scott Wilson-Parsons Posted in Children, Feature, News, STARS Leave a comment

For the fourth year, Seaside United Methodist Church is hosting a six-week summer reading program for children. The 2017 program runs from June 26th through August 4th. With the strong financial support of the Duke Endowment and numerous local donors, STARS provides students at-risk of falling behind in reading and opportunity for intensive development of reading skills coupled with fun enrichment activities in a loving and supportive atmosphere. In collaboration with the Brunswick County Department of Elementary Education, Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary has again been chosen as the school to be served, with approximately 25 rising second and third graders selected as STARS (Seaside Teaching and Reaching Students) Scholars. The STARS Program is comprised of three areas of focus:

Literacy: The morning sessions are focused on literacy using an accelerated learning approach to not only prevent summer learning loss but to better position students for the coming year. These sessions will be taught by a Jessie Mae Monroe Elementary School Master Teacher and Assistant with no more than a 10:1 student/teacher ratio. Student success will be shown by the progress made by the end of the STARS Program and at the end of school year.

Enrichment: The afternoon portion of the program provides opportunity to focus on music, art, science, and physical activities that are age appropriate for our kids. Field trips offer many choices of things to do and experience. Our community response has been positive in support of STARS. The afternoon program will be staffed primarily by volunteers, giving all of our church “family” members a chance to be “family” to our children.

Parent Involvement: Each Monday night STARS hosts a dinner workshop for the parents. The entire family, including siblings, are invited to the dinner. The workshop is planned and taught by the Master Teachers, using the learning material for the current week to equip the parents to be ongoing learning partners in the home, beyond the six-week program. The meals are prepared and hosted by various congregational groups within Seaside UMC.

Our theme this year is “Oh, the Places You Will Go” – based on the children’s book by Dr. Seuss. In addition to continuing their educational development, students will have the opportunity to expand their horizons by learning about new and exciting places around North Carolina. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Meg Good, STARS Program Director, at megood@seasideumc.org.

Special Friends meet special friends | Myrtle Beach Sun News

Posted on June 13, 2017 by Scott Wilson-Parsons Posted in Events, Feature, News Leave a comment

Lynn Jacobs, 31, says she is teaching tricks to Precious Noel, her 18-month old Chiweenie — a cross between a Chihuahua and dachshund — and enjoys spending time with her and Miss Aallee, her 16-year old Chihuahua. A Supply, N.C. resident, Jacobs adds, “I love to sing,” and uses that talent in the choir at Seaside United Methodist Church in Sunset Beach, N.C. She also looks forward to attending the gatherings of Special Friends of Seaside at the church. This ministry began in October 2016 and is designed specifically for those 18-40 who have a disability and can manage their own personal needs. Parents are encouraged to attend as well. Jacobs was born with spina bifida (see side bar) and uses a wheelchair for mobility.

Source: Special Friends meet special friends | Myrtle Beach Sun News

Moses: The Reluctant Prophet

Posted on May 23, 2017 by Scott Wilson-Parsons Posted in Classes, News Leave a comment

An Adam Hamilton Bible Study led by Duke Divinity School intern Matthew Nelson

Retrace the life of Moses from his modest birth and rescue as a baby to the courts of Pharaoh, from herding flocks in Midian to leading his people out of Egypt.

Join Adam Hamilton as he travels from Egypt to Mt. Sinai, the Nile, the Red Sea and the wilderness exploring the sites of Moses’ life. Using historical information, archaeological data, and biblical text, Hamilton guides us in the footsteps of this reluctant prophet who grew in his relationship with God and by the end of life had successfully fulfilled the role he was given.

Turn your own reluctance into boldness as you examine the significant challenges facing Moses and how God shaped his character and life in powerful ways.

This Summer you have the opportunity to travel through the story of Moses in a brand new Adam Hamilton book study, “Moses: In the Footsteps of a Reluctant Prophet.” Our Duke Summer Intern, Matt Nelson, will lead this six-week study beginning on Thursday, June 22nd from 6:30-8:00 in the Choir Room. This class is open to all so please sign up in the Gallery to ensure your spot in the class!

[Sorry, Registration is closed at this time]

Grandparents Are Parenting Again

Posted on May 17, 2017 by meg Posted in health+wellness, News Leave a comment

For a growing number of grandparents, their golden years are looking a little different than they might have imagined. That’s because about 2.7 million grandparents in the United States are acting as the primary caregivers to their grandchildren.

The number of children living in grandparent-maintained households has doubled over the past four decades, according to Coresident Grandparents and Their Grandchildren: 2012, a report by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The reasons vary. Parents may be unable to care for their kids due to alcohol or drug addiction, incarceration, economic struggles or other issues. Grandparents often step in as caregivers to keep kids out of foster care.

However, parenting later in life can be a challenge — physically, financially and emotionally.

“Grandparents are getting the grandchildren at about retirement time,” said Diana Strickland, who coordinates a grandparent support group at Seaside United Methodist Church in Sunset Beach, North Carolina. “Generally, they’re in their 60s when they first get them,” she said, adding that by the time the children leave the house, grandparents are often in their 80s.

“And that gets more and more difficult, because then your health issues are involved. You’re responsible for a teenager. It’s stressful enough when you’re a young parent, but when you’re an older parent, it gets a little harder,” she said.

According to the census report, about 39 percent of grandparent caregivers have cared for their grandchildren for five years or more.

Parenting at retirement age is a major life adjustment, and those thrust into the role need all the support they can get. Many require help with custody issues and other legal matters, while some need financial assistance and parenting advice.

Complex issues

Dave Panowitz, a longtime member of Bel Air United Methodist Church in Bel Air, Maryland, is the chairperson for Raising Our Children’s Kids Successfully (R.O.C.K.S), a grandparent support group the church has been sponsoring for about five years. He said the biggest problem facing grandparents today is funding.

“For some of these people, the system works against them. They’re trying to do the right thing and they can’t get assistance in a lot of cases. Some of them have two and three grandchildren. … There is zero funding for this stuff,” he said.

About 10 to 20 people attend the monthly gatherings at Bel Air UMC. Meetings often feature speakers who address issues grandparents may be facing. A retired advocate in the school system also participates regularly to help with kids who are having behavioral problems.

Both Strickland and Panowitz said the transition in caregiving is a culture shock for grandparents and children, especially when the kids are struggling with emotional issues.

Encouragement helps

“You’re dealing with children who probably have been hurt one way or another because they are not with their parents. You’re dealing with a lot of issues here that you can’t resolve. You can’t heal that for them and you’re doing the best you can,” Strickland said. “Some of these parents, if they’re on drugs, they overdose, and then the child’s got to deal with the death. So there are a lot of traumas and a lot of things where the grandparents need a lot of support.”

While there are plenty of books and other resources available, caregivers also need encouragement and support from people in their community.

Strickland helped start the Seaside grandparents group in 2004 when she and her husband began raising one of their seven grandchildren. She said another church member had been dealing with a similar situation and offered her advice. From there, the group grew to other church members and people from the community. Now, up to a dozen people attend weekly.

“A typical meeting at this point is mainly to get together, to touch base, to find out what is going on in each of their lives and what their needs are and what their prayer concerns are. And we pray for one another,” Strickland said.

Panowitz said the meetings offer grandparents an opportunity to share their stories and learn from those who have gone before them. He and his wife are raising an 11-year-old grandson.

The Bel Air group also offers childcare on meeting nights, which allows children to interact with others who are going through similar situations.

“Some of these children really have serious problems that the grandparents are dealing with … You hear some of these stories. You think this must be fiction. This can’t be true what happens. These can’t be real stories. Some of these stories are unbelievable,” he said.

Seaside UMC has a resource book in its library filled with services and agencies that grandparents who are new to caring for grandchildren can use. The support group also offers suggestions for local lawyers and pediatricians.

“There are a lot of problems that are unique with grandparents taking over from parents. It gets a little more complicated than you realize and most of these things happen suddenly. You suddenly have the children. It’s not a gradual thing. The parent ends up in jail, or the children — social services had to take them. You don’t have a lot of preparation,” Strickland said.

Both coordinators liken the support groups to Alcoholics Anonymous, where meetings are confidential and members become like family.

“If we go through it as a group, it becomes personal. Therefore, when one of us loses one of the parents of the children, everyone hurts for them. It’s just tragic and there’s not much you can do. And that’s the other hard thing is to continue to pray for each of the things that comes up that you know that you really can’t do anything about it. It’s beyond our control when you’re dealing with sick parents. That’s the way it is,” Strickland said.

“You just try to protect the child as much as you can, that’s the main thing.”

She said United Methodist churches that don’t currently offer support groups for grandparents should consider doing so. All you need is a staff or church member who “has a real feeling” for this type of ministry, she said.

Regardless of the size of the church, Panowitz said, there are bound to be members facing the same situation and it’s important to extend them a lifeline. He said, oftentimes, grandparents are embarrassed to share their situation.

“They have nobody to talk to … it’s a nightmare for some of these people,” he said.

“I think every church needs a special person to get involved with this. … It’s taking care of the people in the congregation that are afraid to admit they have problems. … This is a situation that you were dealt and you need to make the best of it. And I think we really try to do that.”

He said the best advice he can offer grandparents navigating parenting again is to focus on the grandchildren not their parents.

“You’re here for these grandchildren. You’re not here for their parents. … The parents have made all the mistakes. What’s going to happen to them happens to them. You’re here to make the best thing for these grandchildren. … People have to hear that from somebody else,” he said.

“You have to look out for the well-being of these children.”

Julie Dwyer is general church content editor with United Methodist Communications.

See Original Story on the Interpreter Magazine

http://www.interpretermagazine.org/topics/grandparents-are-parenting-again

Read about all of our great Fall Classes, and Register using the form at the bottom of the page

Ezra: Inductive Bible Study

Disciple I Fast Track: Old Testament

The Lies We Believe About God

God of the Possible

Klesis: God’s Call and the Journey of Faith

Discovering God’s Vision For Your Life: You and Your Spiritual Gifts

Fresh Air: The Holy Spirit for an Inspired Life

The Frazzled Female

Praying Our Goodbyes (by Joyce Rupp)

Register For Any Classes Using The Form Below:

Share this:

Share this:

Disciple II “Into the Word Into the World”

Commitment and Time Involved

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: