Adults

Wednesday Evening Studies Support Groups Weekday Small Groups
Adult Sunday School Classes Book Club 2024-2025 Canterbury Online Library

Adult Ministry

Canterbury offers many ways for adults of all ages to strengthen their relationship with God, get to know people and develop relationships with people in the same life stages, and serve the surrounding community.

Wednesday Evening Studies

Winter Studies Begin January 8, 2025

  • The Bible and the Blues Special Session & Pilgrimage

    Led by Rick Owen and Lester Seigel
    3 Weeks  |  January 8, 15, 22  |  6-7 PM  |  Small Dining Room

    The story of God’s people throughout the Bible is filled with music and song. The Book of Psalms was the hymnal of faith in the Old Testament and the hymnal of praise in the New Testament. Moses and Miriam sing songs of praise by the Red Sea and Prophets called on God’s people to sing new songs. The Psalms of Lament and the writings contained in the book of Lamentations give voice to the profound suffering of God’s people and their heartfelt pleas for salvation. Living at the crossroads of salvation and suffering can be uniquely set in blues music. Join us as we explore the unique dissonance that exists in the blues and in the journey of God’s people in the Bible.   

    Register here.

    Blues Pilgrimage (January 24-26)
    After the final session, we’ll journey to Clarksdale, MS for a blues immersion experience. We’ll visit the Delta Blues Museum, attend performances at Ground Zero Blues Club and Red’s Juke Joint (one of the oldest existing in Mississippi). We’ll have a chance to meet and hear from those who make Blues happen around the world. We’ll stay in the Delta Cotton Apartments above Ground Zero and share the delightful culture that birthed Delta Blues. Approximate trip cost: $300.00 for lodging, transportation, and cover charges. Meals not included. Limited to 22 people.

    Register here.

  • Wednesday Evening Bible Study

    Led by Keith Thompson
    6-7 PM  |  Room 209, Wesley Hall

    (Ongoing study – open to all)

    Register here.

  • Genesis: The Beginning

    Led by Lisa Donnell and John Hutchinson
    6-7 PM  |  Room 228-229

    (Ongoing study – open to all)

    Register here.

  • Dream Big

    Led by Matthew Montgomery and Natalie Moon
    6-7 PM  |  Room 226

    Register here.

  • Forgiving What You Can’t Forget

    Led by Sheryl Thornton
    6-7 PM  |  Room M208

    This group is especially for people who have unresolved pain in broken relationships. When there has been no resolution, forgiveness, or closure in a broken relationship, how do we find ways to free ourselves for forgiveness?

    Register here.

     

  • Fight Right

    Led by Tori Hastings
    6-7 PM  |  M227

    How we fight predicts the future of our relationships. Learn how successful couples turn conflict into connection.

    Register here.

  • Healthy Relationships

    Led by Annie Skinner
    10 AM – Noon  |  Room A123, Renneker Conference Room

    Discipleship that Deeply Changes Your Relationship with Others

    Register here. 

Support Groups

  • Grief Support

    Led by Hill Carmichael
    January 22-February 26  |  Noon  |  Room M200

    When we lose someone we love, we embark on a journey not of our choosing, but it is a vital and sacred journey. This group serves as a means of self-care and shared community for persons in grief.

    For more info, email Sheryl Thornton at sheryl.thornton@canterburyumc.org.

    Register here.

  • Divorce Support

    Led by Rev. Leslie Etheredge
    January 27-March 17  |  6 PM  |  Room M200

    The Divorce Journey: Past, Present, and Future – Going through a divorce holds such a wide range of feelings, decisions, and reassessments of life goals. This is an encouraging community where participants are guided along their unique journeys and beyond. Sessions include space for teaching, reflection and fellowship. 

    For more info, email Sheryl Thornton at sheryl.thornton@canterburyumc.org.

    Register here.

Weekday Small Groups

Canterbury offers a wide variety of small groups throughout the week to enrich the lives of our church members and community. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable, and stress-free place where individuals have the opportunity to grow spiritually, meet new people, make new friends, and learn something new. If you’re interested in joining a small group, contact Annie Skinner at annie.skinner@canterburyumc.org.

Book Club 2024-2025

Book Club is held on the 1st Monday of each month! (8/5-4/7) Join us from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM in Room M226 for great discussion and fellowship. Bring your lunch and invite a friend!

REGISTER for Book Club, click here.

Upcoming Books

  • January 6

    Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us About Wisdom, Persistence, and Strength by Kat Armas

    Spiritual Growth

  • February 3

    The Nickle Boys: A Novel by Colson Whitehead

    Social Action

  • March 3

    I am A Girl From Africa: A Memoir of Empowerment, Community, and Hope by Elizabeth Nyamayaro

    Leadership Development

  • April 7

    The Seedkeeper: A Novel by Diane Wilson

    Nurturing for Community

Adult Sunday School Classes

Sunday School is a great place to get to know and develop relationships with people in the same life stages. Canterbury offers many adult Sunday school possibilities. Feel free to visit different classes to find the one that fits you. For help finding an adult Sunday school class, contact Annie Skinner at annie.skinner@canterburyumc.org.

  • Aldersgate | 50’s-70’s | Married & Single

    Class Leader: Liz Hutchins
    M227
    This is a very open class that enjoys Bible study as well as book studies dealing with the application of Christian principles and theology to daily living. Class participants are encouraged to read during the week, and members volunteer to lead the discussion in class. Active discussion is a hallmark of this class —members enjoy full discussion in a free and congenial environment. No perspective reigns above others.

  • Bible Study Dialogue | Married & Single

    Class Leader: Chris Bullock
    A123
    This is a small class that enjoys studying the Bible using various resources. Regular teachers/class members lead discussion centered around Biblical topics.Topics might also include current events as related to a Christian outlook.The class participates in varied service projects and occasional social gatherings.

  • Compass | 30’s-40’s | Married, Raising Children

    Class Leaders: Kristin Pilkerton-Price/Bryan Paul
    M209
    This is a discussion based class led by various members on a rotating basis. They seek to become better Disciples of Christ through the study of scripture and its application to the challenges of daily life. They are using the Compass of God to help find their spiritual path during a hectic, pressure-filled stage of life.

  • Cornerstone | 20’s-30’s | Married & Single

    Class Leader: Lee Mallette
    M304
    This is a group of single and married young professionals in their late 20’s to early 30’s. They meet on Sunday mornings for fellowship with discussion based study facilitated by various class members. They also meet once a month for fellowship at their homes, events, and other venues.

  • Crawford Owen | 60’s-80’s | Married & Single

    Class Leader: Tom Roberts
    M141
    This class has four regular teachers who rotate from September through May, teaching on a variety of faith-based topics. Guest teachers from Canterbury and other churches in the community are invited to present lessons on their areas of interest during the summer months. In addition to a Christmas Brunch and an Annual Spring Party, the class celebrates communion in the chapel on Easter and the Sunday before Christmas. Outreach activities include Encore Community Respite Ministry, Altar Guild, Birmingham Hospitality Network, and Firehouse Shelter. Other individual outreach interests include Carpenter’s Hands, United Methodist Women, Wednesday night dinners, homebound communion, and delivering plants to homebound.

    Click here for a PDF of Reading the Bible in a Year

  • Fellowship Too | 60’s-70’s | Married & Single

    Class Leader: Randle Cunningham
    M229
    This class has been a part of Canterbury’s Sunday School offerings for more than two decades. As the class has aged, so has its loyal membership, today made up of both married and single adults predominantly in their 50’s and 60’s, many with adult children as well as increasingly with grandchildren. Many have been members of the class since they were young couples. The curriculum varies including occasions to track with the overall lesson plans underway church-wide, topics of new or ongoing interest to this generation of adults, and periodic visiting speakers including clergy members, Methodist leaders such as Bishops, outreach professionals from the larger Birmingham community, or simply opportunities to take advantage of Christian learning opportunities from informed and interesting visitors. During the summer, the group typically has a monthly dinner and discussion at a member’s home to share in fellowship, stay in touch, and exchange any news needed.

  • J.O.Y. | 60’s-80’s | Married & Single

    Class Leader: Kirby Bland
    M129 and on Zoom
    This class was founded in 1957. Class lectures are based on the various Bible Study books prepared by our regular teachers. Prior to our class meeting each Sunday, our members enjoy socializing with coffee and treats provided by class members. We celebrate the Christmas season with a class gathering for brunch or lunch.

  • Seekers | Late 40’s+ | Married, Raising Children

    Class Leader: Van Gladney
    M228
    This class is made up of members from varying denominational backgrounds and hometowns, providing many different perspectives as they “Seek” to better understand the life God has given them. Issues or questions relevant to members are identified to help build the curriculum. Members are actively engaged a variety of programs at Canterbury, and they seek to make the class a forum for communication on how to connect into these programs and other ministries available at Canterbury.

  • Pathways | Intergenerational | Married & Single

    Class Leaders: Anne Warren/Mary Little
    M116 and on Zoom

    This intergenerational Sunday school class includes members from all walks of life and welcomes visitors any Sunday. We encourage our members and guests to explore the many different paths one may take on their journey with Christ, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus in today’s world. We value and appreciate a variety of perspectives on life and spirituality. The diverse ages, experiences, and points of view of our class members allow them to explore their own faith through biblical study and the implications of our modern world. We enjoy learning from each other, hearing each other’s perspectives, and laughing together!

    Pathways is a proud member of the Reconciling Ministries Network, which “equips and mobilizes United Methodists of all sexual orientations and gender identities to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves.”

    Pathways class discussions are facilitated by different volunteers from the class each week and are led by guest speakers on occasion. We invite and enjoy robust discussion! Contact Mary Little, mblittle@bellsouth.net, for details.

  • Singles | 50’s-70’s | Single

    Class Leader: Dick Coffee
    M114

    Using a variety of teachers throughout the year, the format of this class changes constantly from discussion to lecture to Bible Study. Our speakers include ministers from Canterbury, recommended teachers from the church, and representatives from other churches and other religions.

  • Young Adults (YASS) | 30’s-40’s | Married & Single

    Class Leaders: Trey and Carmen Echols
    M140

    YASS meets on Sunday mornings and has various social events centered around building a community of believers in Jesus Christ. The content is generally facilitated by class leaders Carmen and Trey Echols. The studies focus on contemporary application of principles taught from both the New and Old testaments with specific focus on Jesus, his disciples, and Apostles. Conversations are dynamic and interactive. They help drive dialogue around key issues that young adults and parents will face in growing deeper into adulthood.

  • New Bible Study Class | Intergenerational | Married & Single

    Class Leader: Annie Skinner
    M120

    The New Bible Study class, using the Bible as our source, thoughtfully reads and discusses each book. Using maps and research, we try to discern what the original author(s) may have intended and discuss what this means for us.

  • New Young Adult Class | Mid-Late 20’s | Married & Single

    Class Leader: Mary Nelson Little
    M116

    If you are 24-30 (no strict age limits!) and looking for a meaningful place for connection, come try out this new Sunday School class!

  • New Young Marrieds Class | 20’s-30’s | Married

    Class Leaders: Caleb and Adeline Carroll
    M305

  • Sunday School for Parents of Confirmands | September 8-April 27

    Confirmation is the beginning of a life-long journey of discipleship and inquiry. To aide you and support your own journey we will offer a Sunday school class just for parents of youth attending confirmation. We will cover the same topics that your youth will be discussing in the hopes of creating meaningful experience with your youth and the other parents. The church, at its best, is a community of believers.

    This class will meet Sundays from 9:20 – 10:10, beginning September 8 – April 27, in M208.

    If you have any questions, please contact me at annie.skinner@canterburyumc.org or 205.868.6580.

    Sign Up Here

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