by Lynn Beaumont, a Women’s Bible Study leader

Bad Girls of the Bible, Prayers of the New Testament, Sacred Chaos, Corinthians. These are just a few of the books that the Women’s Bible Study has tackled over the last six years.

Each time we meet, we begin by discussing the weeks study in a large group. Depending on the topic we may have group questions or just open discussion. Many times we’ve come together as a group, grappled with a confusing topic and come away with a deeper understanding because of what each participant brings to the process. After we meet as a large group, we break into small groups, either to continue with a study question or to share on a more intimate level. We always leave time to pray for each other in these smaller groups.

We try to make Women’s Bible Study an inclusive and welcoming space for women. We are a diverse group, or as one of our members, Jan Young said, “I especially appreciate the insight into our studies from such a wide range of ages and stages in life! So healthy for us to have new and various perspectives.”

We typically begin a new study in the Fall of each year and welcome women to join us at any time along the road. We have just finished a study of the newest addition to the Presbyterian Book of Confessions, The Confession of Belhar. This was a deeply moving confession that came out of the South African church and their experience with Apartheid. It was a particularly timely topic for us at Bethany since it deals with racial reconciliation. In January we will begin a study of Romans to complement Pastor Doug’s sermon series.

We always look forward to seeing our old friends and hope to meet new ones. If you are a woman at Bethany who would like to get more connected, this is a wonderful way to begin. We will begin the new study on the third Tuesday of January, on the 17th. Because we know we all have different schedules in life, we offer a morning session and an evening session.

The morning session meets every first and third Tuesday of the month from 10:00 to 11:30 am. We meet in the Parlor and childcare is available. The evening session also meets the first and third Tuesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in the living room of 7 Howe. There is no childcare for the evening session.

Our leadership team consists of Linda Cutshall, Jean Fandl-Kelly, Susan Gates and Lynn Beaumont. Please feel free to chat with any of us if you are interested.