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.
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.
Themed and Short-Term Studies
Short-term studies explore specific themes (e.g., discipleship topics, spiritual growth, social justice, Advent & Lenten seasons).
Parent Connection Brunch Follow-Up
Wednesday Evening Lenten Study: Entering the Passion of Jesus
Wednesday EVENINGS | 2/26, 3/12-4/2, 4/16, 6:00-7:15PM
Led by Amy Pritchard | No mtg 3/5 & 4/9 | Room B/C
For Lent, dive into historical and social contexts—and the risks taken for great loss or great reward—of Jesus’s final days. Jesus risked his reputation when entering Jerusalem in a victory parade and risked his life teaching in the Temple. His followers risked everything when they left behind their homes or anointed him with costly perfume. Author and scholar Amy-Jill Levine raises ethical and spiritual questions from the text and highlights how we all can face risk in our Christian experience.
The Wired Word: Weekly emails for personal study
Join the 70+ other St. Mark’s folks who receive this thought-provoking devotional.
Weekday Study Groups
Our ongoing weekday morning studies gather on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays during the school year.
Wednesday AM Study: The Gospel of John
Wednesdays, February 26-April 2| 9:30-11 AM
Men’s Early AM and Pastor’s Wednesday AM Study
Entering the Passion of Jesus (Lent 2025)
Early AM Men’s Study, 6:30-7:30 AM
Pastor’s Bible Study, 9:30-10:30 AM
Led by Pastor Brian White | Room B/C + Online | Books $11
For Lent, dive into the historical and social context—and the risks—of Jesus’s final days before his crucifixion. Every move he made was filled with anticipation, danger, and the potential for great loss or great reward. Jesus risked his reputation when he entered Jerusalem in a victory parade and risked his life when he dared to teach in the Temple. His followers risked everything when they left behind their homes or anointed him with costly perfume. Author and scholar Amy-Jill Levine shows how the text raises ethical and spiritual questions for the reader, and how we all face risk in our Christian experience.
The Foundations & Friendships class will also discuss Entering the Passion of Jesus beginning in March (Room J/K, Sundays 10-11am). No sign up needed, just show up! Books will be available on Connection Tables & Door #2 entrance shelves for $11.
Thursday AM Study: You Are Never Alone
Thursdays, February 13-March 20 | 10-11AM
Exploring scriptural stories of Jesus’s miracles, pastor and author Max Lucado addresses questions of God’s presence in times of difficulty. In this book, Lucado reminds us that our miracle-working God sees us, cares about us, and will always offers grace, hope, and protection, no matter what we’re up against. Take hope that God is never afraid to meet us in the middle of life’s messes.
Friday AM Study: The Final Days
Led by Jennifer Cloud-Buckner and Annessa Miller | Room B/C + Zoom | Full Books $13
Sunday Morning Small Groups & Classes
Cutting Edge
Reel Spirituality
Foundations and Friendships
The Living Room
New! After feedback from the Parent Connection Brunch and others who want different options during 10 AM on Sundays, we have begun testing a new concept called “The Living Room.” This informal, drop-in gathering is currently happening in Cornerstone Commons while we work to get a permanent place prepared.
If you don’t already have a Sunday class, you are welcome to head to Cornerstone Commons on Sundays at 10 AM. We hope this can be a space for informal connection and chatting around the tables, or where you can just BE, rest, refresh, read, listen to a podcast or have space to sit before or after your preferred worship service.
Our Family Ministry team has also staged a cart with parenting books and articles for use during The Living Room time, in case any parents would like to have some self-led discussions with each other while their kids and youth are occupied in their own peer activities. Cafe’ Conversations cards (conversation starters that have been on the cafe tables since August) will be moving down to Cornerstone Commons throughout February to become part of The Living Room.
As we grow into our 10 AM Education & Small Groups hour, we hope that it can become a time for everyone that feeds your soul with a sense of community and connection, spiritual insights, social interaction, or quiet reflection time. If you have feedback or questions about The Living Room or other 10 AM options, please contact Jennifer at grow@stmarkscarmel.org.
For more information on adult studies, please contact Jennifer Cloud-Buckner (grow@stmarkscarmel.org), St. Mark’s Adult Discipleship Coordinator.