Adult Study Groups

Find community and grow in your spiritual walk through our adult discipleship groups.
See options below for in-person and hybrid (Zoom + in-person) meetings.

Themed Studies

Weekday Studies

Sunday AM Classes

Growth/Encouragement

How to Find and Pay for Books

Study books are on 1) shelves in the main church entrance (Door #2) and 2) the GROW Connection Tables in the Gathering Area. Entrance shelves are available Mon-Th (9a-4p), Fri (9a-1p), Sun mornings.

To pay for books, mark your envelope as “Study Books” and place in the offering plate, office, black box on the shelves, or basket on the connections table. Make checks to St. Mark’s UMC with “study books” in the memo line. You can also pay online. On the online giving page, click the box under “How would you like to allocate your donation” and select Study Books from the dropdown menu.

Pay Online

Themed and Short-Term Studies

Short-term studies explore specific themes (e.g., discipleship topics, spiritual growth, social justice, Advent / Lenten seasons).

Walking as a Spiritual Practice

9:00 AM on Thursdays 7/18, 8/15
7:00 PM on Tuesdays 7/23, 8/6
Locations vary, see below

Meet Jennifer Cloud-Buckner, adult discipleship coordinator, for a guided reflection and mindful walk at your own pace. Sign up to be added to the email list for any weather updates, location changes, or cancellations.

JULY Walks Location: meet at the northern lot / restrooms shelter area of Prather Park (formerly known as River Road Park), 12575 River Rd, Carmel.

New AUGUST Location: Meet at Central Park East Woods, 1235 Central Park Dr. E, Carmel Specific meeting spot details will be in email. If you’re not on the regular email list, sign up here or email Jennifer (grow@stmarkscarmel.org).

Growing Young: an online summer reading group

Led by Pastor Karla Elliott and Jennifer Cloud-Buckner | Books $12

All churches grow old. Strategic churches grow young. If you hope to help more young people find community at St. Mark’s, join our discussion about six essential, research-based strategies in the book Growing Young. Learn more from leaders Rev. Karla Elliott, Executive Pastor, and Dr. Jennifer Cloud-Buckner, Adult Discipleship Coordinator, in the video below. Click “Find the Group” to connect.

We’ll explore the ideas presented in Growing Young through a private Facebook group (“Growing Young @ St. Mark’s Carmel”) with prompts and discussion threads about each chapter for June-August 2024. It’s an asynchronous group—discuss and comment at your convenience, all summer long!

Find the Group

The Wired Word: Weekly emails for personal study

Join the 70+ other St. Mark’s folks who receive this thought-provoking devotional.

St. Mark’s subscribes to The Wired Word, a weekly devotional for personal study and small group discussions. Topics are wide-ranging and directly relate scriptures to timely news stories. Recent topics have included remembrances of notable figures, generosity, corruption, forgiveness, neighborliness, prayer, and environmentalism. The email goes out on Thursdays or Fridays weekly. To be added to the list, email Jennifer Cloud-Buckner (grow@stmarkscarmel.org).

Wired Word Sign Up

Weekday Study Groups

Our ongoing weekday morning studies gather on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays during the school year, with a summer break. Check back in July/August for new signups!

Sunday Morning Study Groups

Cutting Edge

9:30 AM until August 11
10:00 AM beginning August 25

This group reads and discusses the Bible following the Revised Common Lectionary, a 3-year cycle of reading through scripture. The Word comes alive through the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Hybrid meeting on Zoom and on-site in Room G/H; contact facilitator Steve Click (sclick52@gmail.com) for Zoom link.

Foundations and Friendships

9:40 AM until August 11 (No meetings in July)

10:00 AM beginning August 25

F&F’s shares and discusses Christian themes through books, The Wired Word devotionals, and Bible studies. Doug Brown (dthbrown@gmail.com), Kathy DeaKyne, and Todd Snow facilitate. Meets in Room J/K.

Reel Spirituality

11:00 AM in Room G/H until August 11

10:00 AM in Room B/C beginning August 25

Everyone is welcome to “the movie class” for Christian themes and heartfelt topics through various films. The class is gathering in homes or individually watching movies and then gathering on Sundays to discuss. Lydia and Terry Fourman facilitate. Zoom available upon request to grow@stmarkscarmel.org.

New Option(s)

10:00 AM

Are you interested in connecting with others during the Education & Small Groups Hour? Maybe you just want to get to know others better and haven’t found a Sunday class or Grow Group yet. Sign up below if you are interested in participating in a new potential informal 10:00 AM discussion space or study group.

For more information on adult studies, please contact Jennifer Cloud-Buckner (grow@stmarkscarmel.org), St. Mark’s Adult Discipleship Coordinator.