by Patti Holman, Elder for Adult Christian Education

From February through May, we will offer two new menu items along with five continuing ones:

New Items

1. The Power of Story and Question / led by Kevin McMahan

Tired of banter about ideas? Kevin will share some principles for getting to what is most intrinsic about us - our stories, our questions, our doubts, and the things about which we are most curious.

Using an interactive style, Kevin will facilitate the group to structure safe relational space and to practice simple techniques to deepen a small group's sharing time. Kevin will bring knowledge of Christian practices used by the community of faith, as well as a powerful story of his own personal risk, to assist small groups to experience a greater degree of meaning in the group's interactions.

2. Marriage Maintenance Manual / led by Jan & Myron Young

• Preventive Maintenance means building trust and respect by working together on lifestyle choices and problem solving.
• The Day-to-Day (or Daily) Maintenance words are: "Please, Thank you, I'm sorry, I love you, Let's pray, and I forgive you."
• Emergency Maintenance requires doing more than your share, not blaming but planning a survival strategy.
  These three strategies can stimulate lots of discussion, and many things couples already do can fit within several of these sections.

Continuing Items

1. Starting Conversations about Stewardship / led by Bob Kunde

This presentation enables you to realize that money is an emotional topic and to recognize the hidden impacts of money.

2. Faithfully Feeding the Poor-A Wednesday Night Experience

led by Janet Moore
We will explore biblical principles on care for the poor and talk about how to make the Wednesday Night Dinner a positive experience for Bethany members and our dinner guests. Ideally, members of this group will volunteer at a Wednesday Night Dinner both prior to, and after, we meet. The group will focus on debriefing this experience and learning more of how God is at work in this ministry.

3. Holy Spirit: God's Empowering Presence / led by John Chase

The Holy Spirit restores and revives dull and weary hearts by encountering us in worship, prayer, in our weakness, and through the Charismatic gifts such as tongues, prophecy and healing. In each session we will discuss—and seek to encounter—the Holy Spirit as God’s loving and empowering presence in our lives.

4. Powerful Praying: Scriptural, Intercessory and Corporate

led by Anne Van Roden
This presentation will provide tools to enrich your group’s time when praying together, and also to enrich your individual time when praying at home.

5. Open Heart, Open Home / led by Bev Carlson

Catch a vision of how wonderful it is to welcome others into your home and let them know you’re glad they are there. Bev stresses how important it is to be authentic. She will also share with you practical ideas and hints from many years of sharing meals around her table.