Connect with a Small Group / Bible Study
The best way to get involved in any community is to join a group and get to know people! At McKendree UMC, we have many different groups and classes to check out and would love to help you find the one that is right for you! Note that the GIFT Sunday School Class has an online option.
Contact the facilitator or use the sign up button to start your journey in scripture and with others.
Sunday Morning Small Groups
The Well: A mixed age adult Sunday School class that meets at 11:00 AM in Room 311. Current study: We Believe – How the Nicene Cread Can Deepen Your Faith by Michael Carpenter, UMC pastor in Oklahoma. Facilitator: Brian Green Email: wbriangreen@gmail.com
Life Changing Class: Growing in faith together. A mixed age adult Sunday School class that meets at 10:45 AM in Room 316. Current study: LifeChange Luke. Facilitator: Jennifer Harrell Email: jh5432.01@gmail.com
The Gift Sunday School Class: Growing in Faith Together. Meets at 9:30 AM in Room 311 and also on Zoom. Current study: Book of Judges Facilitator: Harold Benton Email: haroldbenton83@gmail.com
Seekers: A mixed-age adult women’s Sunday School class that meets at 9:00 AM in Room 313. Lent study: The Message of Jesus by Adam Hamilton. After Easter starting April 12: The Most Misused Verses in the Bible by Eric J. Bargerhuff Facilitator: Carol McEntee Email: carol.mcentee@yahoo.com
DEEP & WIDE*: a discussion-based class focused on conversation rather than lecture, openness rather than having all the answers, and participation without heavy homework. Come as you are, jump in anytime, bring your questions, and grow together in faith and community. Meets at 9:30 AM in Room 316.
*The name Deep & Wide reflects our desire to grow both deeply and widely in faith and community. We seek to go Deep by building meaningful connections with one another, engaging Scripture honestly, and nurturing a faith that shapes our everyday lives. At the same time, we reach Wide—welcoming all who come with open arms and exploring a broad range of topics and questions with curiosity, grace, and a spirit of wonder.
Facilitators: Chris & Katie Wilson Email: INFO@MCKENDREEUMC.ORG
Small Groups at Other Times
Monday Evening Women’s Bible Study: - Starts February 2, 2026 6:45 PM - 8:15 PM
Study: LOSE CONTROL The Way to Find Your Soul by Mary Shannon Hoffpauir
Have you ever thought you had life under control—until you didn’t? Perhaps thinking “God is in control” but living as if you are. It's like walking around with a hot cup of coffee, afraid that with one wrong move it will spill and be a burning hot mess. Then you realize what little control you have and how dependent on God you truly are.
Lose Control, authored by Mary Shannon Hoffpauir, takes us on a six-week journey through the Book of First Samuel, which is an epic story about a fight for control. Despite God’s warnings through the prophet Samuel, the nation of Israel was determined to take control by having their own king. As you dig into the saga of King Saul and David, who would become the next anointed king of Israel, you will discover that no plan or purpose of God can be thwarted by human beings. Even the worst of circumstances can be used by God to accomplish His purposes. We will be encouraged to lose control so that we can find our soul through a trusting relationship with our faithful God.
Facilitator: Rev. Gail Thompson Email: revgailt@gmail.com
Wednesday Morning Ladies’ Bible Study: Meets at 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM in Room 311 in the Education Building. Study: Numbers by Melissa Spoelstra Facilitator: Jackie Dupont Email: mcg43@yahoo.com
Wednesday or Sunday Night Conversations
Book conversations with Pastor Cyndi using Trevor Hudson’s In Search of God’s Will
Wednesdays at 6:15 PM in Room 311, begins January 7
Sundays at 7 PM on Zoom, begins January 11
Facilitator: Pastor Cyndi McDonald Email: cmcdonald@mckendreeumc.org
Information and sign-up: INFO@MCKENDREEUMC.ORG
ADULT WEDNESDAY NIGHT CLASS WITH PASTOR PAULA & GRACE LEE-ZIMMERMAN
CONFIRMATION FOR GROWN-UPS
Beyond baptism:
What confirmation means to United Methodists
Strengthen your identity and open your heart to God’s call.
Wednesdays at 6:15 PM in Room 314, starts January 14.
Facilitators: Pastor Paula & Grace Lee-Zimmerman Email: pdallas@mckendreeumc.org
A Spiritual Gifts Workshop led by Pastor Paula
Explore your unique spiritual gifts and how these are part of God's unique call for you.
Sunday, February 22 from 12:30 to 2:30 PM in Room 311 in the Education Building.
Facilitators: Pastor Paula and Amy Daughtery Email: pdallas@mckendreeumc.org
Raise ‘Em Up is an uplifting weekly parent survival group for raising today's kids.
Sarah and Crystal share what a difference the parent survival group “Raise ‘em up” has made in their lives.
Meetings in Room 313 in the Education Building.
Wednesday mornings: 9:30-10:30 AM starting September 10th, 2025 (Nursery available for 4 and under)
Wednesday evenings: 6:30-7:30 PM starting September 3rd, 2025 (Activities available for children K-12 and nursery available for 4 and under.)
Facilitators: Crystal Cox or Sarah Brown
Email: raiseemup@mckendreeumc.org
Facebook: “Raise ‘Em Up Parent Support Group"
All are invited and welcome to attend either session at any time!
Both sessions will cover the same topics and discussions. We plan to have a mixture of literature, videos, fun activities, community service projects, and – as always – wonderful fellowship with other moms.
This year we will be utilizing the video-based study, “Hoodwinked – Ten Myths Moms Believe & Why We All Need to Knock It Off” by Karen Ehman & Ruth Schwenk. In their encouraging “we’ve been there” style, we will enable mothers to
Identify the ten myths of motherhood our current culture perpetuates
Replace the lies with the truth of what God says in the Bible about mothering
Acquire practical tools to help them form new and improved thought patterns and
healthy behaviorsForge healthy, supportive relationships with other moms
Confidently embrace the calling of motherhood as they care for their families in
their own unique way
Raise ‘em Up participated in the Giving Tree service project in 2025.
