Adult Education
Thursday AM Bible Study
If you are interested in joining the 8:00 am Thursday Morning Bible Study Zoom Meeting, please contact Don Lincoln at dlincoln@dlincolnlaw.com or by phone at 619-838-0817 for help in getting on Zoom and/or the meeting info to join.
The current Bible Study is “The History of Christianity: From the Disciples to the Dawn of the Reformation” by Emory Professor- Luke Timothy Johnson.
Explorers Group
If you are interested in joining the 9:00 am Sunday Morning Explorer’s Zoom Meeting, please contact Don Lincoln at dlincoln@dlincolnlaw.comor by phone at 619-838-0817 for help in getting on Zoom and/or the meeting info to join.
The intent of the meeting is to discuss and study current events and how they should be interpreted in light of our Christian heritage and tradition. As a guide, we subscribe to a Methodist publication named Faithlink, which is e-mailed to members the preceding Tuesday. While that week’s subject usually forms the basis for discussion, the leader for that Sunday also has the option to choose other issues in which they have a particular interest.
As might be expected, many diverse opinions are represented within the group, and discussions tend to be quite lively. It is our goal to present fairly all sides of the issue. All are welcome to join in helping us discern our role in these issues and how they relate to LJUMC.
Book Talk
Book Talk is excited to announce a new season, with new books, new presenters, and new ideas! First, we are sponsoring Rev. John Fanestil’s discussion of his newest book, American Heresy, immediately after church on September 24. Grab a cup of coffee and a snack and join us in Fellowship Hall for a fascinating conversation.
Our regular monthly meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month, at 2:00pm, in the Fireside Library. This year, we open on October 4, with new presenter Mandy Clark Berlage discussing a very popular new novel by book group favorite Ann Patchett. The book is entitled Tom Lake, and it is a highly entertaining and poignant story about growing up, maturing as an actor, pivoting to life and family in rural America, and later revisiting one’s memories of life in film and theater through the prism of time. Patchett mines the parallels to a great American classic, the play Our Town, by Thornton Wilder. If you have ever performed in high school or regional theater, you will love this.
On November 1, we will welcome back Jean Thomas to present a book of her choosing. In the past, Jean has brought us the excellent novels Horse, by Geraldine Brooks, and The Lincoln Highway, by Amor Towles. Jean is always superbly prepared, and we look forward to having her back again.
In December, we hope to have Mary Lee Delafield returning for her annual holiday book review, courtesy of Warwick’s Bookstore, which is always our biggest event. More information will be released about this when we have confirmed a date with Mary Lee.
You can look forward to the following presentations in 2024:
January 2: the biography of Steve Jobs, by Walter Isaacson, presented by Peter McCreight
February 7: Two Years Before the Mast, by Richard Henry Dana Jr., presented by Mark Drozda
March 6: Presenter George Leopold, will present a book of his selection. One idea: the history and development of the beautiful medical text of the human anatomy, “Gray’s Anatomy”
April 3: Covenant of Water, by Abrahan Verghese, presented by Sandy McCreight
May 1: Presenter Cindy Rushing will present a book of her choice, perhaps a novella by Irish contemporary writer Claire Keegan
Thanks, and we’ll see you in the Library…!
Adult Fellowship Groups
There are numerous Adult Fellowship Groups at LJ UMC. Find one that fits and join like-minded people getting together for food, fellowship, and fun. Most groups meet monthly. Contact the church office for more information.
Life-Stage Groups
Boomers – A group for adults who are in their mid-forties to early sixties, singles, couples, and those with children of a variety of ages.(Boomer generation) For more information, please contact George Ann Wurster at gaw71@aol.com.
Girls Night Out – For more information, please contact Melissa Toppi at melissavtoppi@hotmail.com
Los Casados & Los Amigos – An adult groups for those who are retired and looking for laughter and good friendships. For more information, please contact Margie Herrick at margieherrick@aol.com or Roger Wiggans at Rogwiggans@aol.com.
Metharounds – A group for sixty-plus adults who are enjoying life with retirement on the horizon. For more information, please contact Sarilee Anderson at Sarilee2@yahoo.com.
Youth Group – Meets weekly on Sundays at 4:30 p.m. in the Youth Center. For more information please contact Pastor Lea, lbooth@lajollaumc.org
Young Adults Group – meets once a month for food and fellowship. The group is made up of young professionals, college age adults, and young parents. Meeting dates/times/locations are arranged via email each month to best suit the schedules of the group. For more information please contact Chelsea Carter, chelsearose33@gmail.com or Karyn Moore, justbeapacifist@msn.com
Common Interest Groups
Alzheimer’s Support Group – If you are caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, the opportunity to share concerns, meet with other families and get support for yourself is essential. Alheimer San Diego provides comprehensive, compassionate, knowledgeable and free resources to families. In addition to a variety of programs and services, Alzheimer’s San Diego hosts over 35 support and discussion group meetings help throughout San Diego County. La Jolla United Methodist Church is happy to sponsor a group the 3rd Wednesday of every month 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. in the Library. For more information please contact Rebecca De Campos, MSW Family Services Coordinator 858-966-3303.
Book Talk – Your Fireside Library volunteers committee under the leadership of Susan Russell has arranged for a new season of reviews by people who love books. They will cover a wide variety of books.
Our book talks are from October through May on the first Wednesday of each month at 1:30 PM in the Fireside Library and last for one hour or so.
Chancel Choir – The Chancel Choir is a group of individuals who love to sing. We rehearse on Thursday evenings from 7 to 8:30 and gather at 9:30 Sunday mornings to prepare for that morning’s worship. We have three concerts a year—Christmas, Spring, and Summer Pops.
The Choir has become a “family” within the larger LJUMC family. In addition to our common love of music, we share joys and concerns and celebrate and pray with each other. We always welcome new members. No audition is required. Being able to attend EVERY Thursday and EVERY Sunday is not a requirement. For example, many of our members travel frequently and come regularly on Thursdays and Sundays when in town!
If you love to sing and would enjoy being part of this wonderful part of LJUMC, we invite you to join us!
Any questions? Contact Director Bob at rwuertz.musiced@gmail.com or Sandy Coler at sreloc@juno.com
Dorian Bells – The Dorian Bell Choir wants you!!!! The bell choir rehearses from on Thursdays from 5:45 p.m.-6:45 p.m. and performs from time to time on Sundays during worship as well as at three concerts per year—Christmas, Spring, and Summer Pops. It is an excellent opportunity for those who love music and have the wish to participate with music. You don’t have to be a “musician” to participate. If you can count, we can teach you how to play! We have ringers who are “wannabe” choir members, but can’t carry a tune and find their musical “outlet” in bell ringing. Come and join us! Questions? Contact Director Bob at rwuertz.musiced@gmail.com
Ruth Circle – United Methodist Women – Meets the 3rd Wednesday of each month is member’s homes.