Growing in discipleship & friendship

Adult Sunday School and Christian Fellowship

Below you will find a list of opportunities for adults of all ages. Joining a small group is an important part of church life and we encourage you to find one that’s just right for you.

Men’s Christian Fellowship Group

Rick Morgan is leading the launch of a men’s weekday fellowship group which meets on Tuesday mornings at 6:45 AM at the church.  This group uses the traditional Methodist “class meeting” model of fellowship, accountability, and Bible study.  Rick hopes this group will be a means for all who participate, to grow in their relationship with Christ together.  If you are interested in joining this group, please email Rick Morgan at rickmorgan@ymail.com.

Older Adult Ministries

There are many opportunities for older adults to get to know new friends, join together in caring for one another, study Scripture, and consider some of the issues affecting our society. We have many small groups with a specific focus on service. Our Care Group creates small vase flower arrangements from our altar flowers to take when they visit shut-ins. Our Sewing Sisters make female hygiene kits for girls in Haiti.  Epworth also provides transportation to and from Croasdaile Retirement Center and The Forest at Duke with our own church bus so our resident members can worship with us each Sunday.

United Methodist Women (UMW)

Would you like to join other women of Epworth at a Zoom gathering? Two groups of United Methodist Women are currently meeting and invite you to consider sitting in on a circle meeting.

  • Fran Whaley leads a group meeting on the third Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Her contact information is franwhaley@gmail.com or 919-489-8290.
  • Sue Stutz leads a group meeting on the third Monday of each month at 1:30 p.m. and she can be contacted at sue.stutz@gmail.com or 614-876-4206.

United Methodist women have been reaching out to “the least of these” here at home and around the world for more than 140 years. Women join UMW to grow spiritually, educationally, and intellectually and to seek justice for women, children, and youth. Did you know that United Methodist Women is the largest lay organization in any denomination?  Our emphasis is on women, children, and youth. You can find out so much more by going to www.unitedmethodistwomen.org.

United Methodist Men (UMM)

The United Methodist men are active in service to the church and community. They often prepare and serve food for church-wide events and support fundraising events for many ministries including Reality Ministries, the National Association for the Blind, local food banks, and many others. The UMM meets on the second Wednesday night of each month for fellowship. All men of the church are always welcome.

Weeknight Fellowship Group

The Weeknight Fellowship Group is a flexible and informal group. They have meetings on a weeknight evening using a hybrid model of Zoom with an in-person option. Topics include books of interest, scripture studies, social justice, and prayer practices, such as Lectio Divina and imaginative prayer. Everyone is welcome! Please inquire with Melissa Culp at melissaunc@gmail.com for more information and to be included on the group listserv.

Young Adult Ministries

Young Adult Class meets Sunday mornings during the Sunday school hour and is a discussion-based class that explores what it means to be a Christian in the modern/postmodern world. The class may include book-based discussion as well as Bible study or exploration of other topics of interest to the group. The group intermittently meets outside of the Sunday morning time slot to eat, socialize, pray, and enjoy the company of one another. It is for those who are graduate students, young adults, and young professionals. Typically the group is made up of those who are in their twenties or thirties, but we welcome anyone who is simply “young at heart.”

Sunday School Classes

Sunday School is a vital part of the Epworth community and meets every Sunday morning from 9:50 – 10:45 am. It is a great time to build relationships with other members while exploring God’s world. Each class features its own unique style and curriculum. Topics may include Bible study, theology, culture, social ethics, Christian parenting, and many more. Many classes enjoy social outings as well as outreach projects together. Please feel free to visit any of our classes and talk with the teacher or a class member for more information. (Our classrooms are located on the entry-level.) 

Genesis Class is a discussion class that enjoys a variety of topics from literature to history to theology. They enjoy participating in social gatherings including potlucks and movie nights, and outreach projects to benefit those in need. The class includes a broad range of ages, experiences, and viewpoints and the discussion is lively.  They support one another and anticipate our Sunday morning fellowship with joy. All are welcome. (Room 2-3)

New Testament Class studies the New Testament in its own historical context as well as our own contemporary context. Jung Choi, Assistant Professor of Religious Studies at North Carolina Wesleyan College (Th.D. Harvard), leads the class. They read the biblical text very thoroughly, raising important questions about the text that they read. This class is also a praying community. Everyone is welcome! (Parlor)

Nexus Class focuses on contemporary issues applicable to daily life. Members are committed to one another and held together by a flexible nexus of beliefs. With no formal leader, all members share in class discussions and books are chosen by consensus. They enjoy social gatherings and dinners together and even a once-a-year weekend adventure. They participate in a number of outreach activities. All ages are welcome. (Room 4)

Parents of Young Children Class discuss concerns related to parenting from a Christian perspective as well as other topics in a casual atmosphere. With no formal leader, all members share in curriculum selection and conversation. Everyone is welcome, including folks without children. (Room 1)

Young Adult Class is a discussion-based class that explores what it means to be a Christian in the modern/postmodern world. The class may include book-based discussion as well as Bible study or exploration of other topics of interest to the group. The group intermittently meets outside of the Sunday morning time slot to eat, socialize, pray, and enjoy the company of one another. It is for those who are graduate students, young adults, and young professionals. Typically the group is made up of those who are in their twenties or thirties, but we welcome anyone who is simply “young at heart.” (Room 5)

Weekday Classes

Thursday Morning Class

Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam:  These five great religions have influenced people’s lives for thousands of years.  Continuing over five semesters, the Thursday class will examine each of these faiths, its history, geography, writings, beliefs, practices, and impact.  The classes will follow The Great Courses curriculum, with weekly reading assignments, videos, and discussion questions.

In our continuing series of courses on the world’s great religions, the topic for Spring 2020 is Christianity. With video lectures by Prof. Luke Timothy Johnson, weekly readings, and class discussions, we will consider its early history, creeds, sacraments, moral teachings, reform movements, and relation to modern society.  The 2020 Spring semester began on January 16, 2020, at 11:00 a.m. in room 2/3, however, if you would like to join the class please call Marie Hammond at 919-493-6199.   All are welcome-you need not have attended the first three semesters!