Adult Education, Ministry and Mission
There are so many different ways for adults to learn, serve, and use their gifts and talents in the life of the church and our community:

Fun get-togethers
 

Women's Soul Care Retreat October, 2008.

 
Young Adults - The Vine

What is The Vine you ask? It is a recently formed ministry for adults in our congregation in their 20s or 30s, single or married, without kids to send to Sunday school. The name comes from John 15:5-8, "I am the Vine and you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is-when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples." Come get connected to God and one another!  We meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month from 7:30-9:00 p.m. at Matt & Lindsay Sulik's house for study time and a game. We meet another time in the month for a social outing. If you are interested in joining the 10+ adults who are already involved in this ministry, please contact Lindsay Sulik at lsulik@appfumc.org We hope to get connected with you soon!

College Age Bible Study
Bible study is from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. one Sunday a month following the Lawrence University calendar.  We provide a delicious home-cooked meal and relevant Bible study on a topic chosen by the students.  We also provide care packages to college students during finals.  If you enjoy cooking, baking, or working with college students, this ministry is for you!

Adult Classes
A variety of classes to help adults explore and grow in their Christian faith and faithfulness to God.  A Wednesday evening class is offered after dinner.  There is also two Bible study classes offered on Thursdays at 12:10 - 12:50 p.m.

Daily E-mail Prayer Group
Members of the congregation are sent a daily update of joys (birthdays, anniversaries, good news from prayer cards and calls) and concerns (in the hospital, concerns from prayer cards and calls).  If you check your e-mail once or twice a day and would like to be part of this prayer ministry, send an e-mail to the secretary Terry@appfumc.org .

Teaching/Mentoring
If you enjoy learning through leading, and working with young people or adults, there are opportunities for you to be a team teacher, or a small group leader.  Call the church office 734-2677 for more information.

Literacy Education
Be a volunteer tutor for Literacy Education Services and help adults learn the English language, work on their math, or study for citizenship.  Tutoring classes are held here at the church on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, or one-to-one tutoring is scheduled during the week at the convenience of tutor and student.  Tutor training is provided and tutors do not have to be teachers by profession.  Call the Literacy Education Services office, 882-6391, for more information.

Wednesday Night Live
On Wednesdays during the school year (middle of September - middle of May), dinner is served in the Fellowship Hall from 5:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.  The cost is $5.00 per person or $11.00 per family.   Come, bring a friend, and enjoy a time of good fellowship with or without an evening class or choir rehearsal after dinner.  

Women's Groups
Every woman in the United Methodist Church can bring their spirit alive in a community whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative support fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church.  Small groups (or circles) meet monthly.
                                            

Mothers of Growing Disciples
Welcome!  The Mothers of Growing Disciples is a group of women who come together in fellowship once a month to support each other, serve others, and grow in spirit.  We provide free childcare in the Toddler Room during our meetings, and babies are always welcome to join us for the meetings.    for answers to some frequently asked questions about Mothers of Growing Disciples  and our meeting schedule for  through June, 2010.

Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministers are trained lay members of our congregation who will visit people weekly to listen, offer resources and referrals (if needed), pray with and for you, and offer Christian love and support. Click here for on Stephen Ministry.

Local Missions and Volunteers in Mission Trips
Be part of the 'Loaves and Fishes' crew that prepares an evening meal at the Emergency Shelter.  Share your building skills with Habitat for Humanity.  Walk in the CROP Walk in October.  Help ring bells for the Salvation Army in December.  Look for the 'help wanted' notices in the newsletter and bulletin for ways to be in mission locally with mission ideas or to find out more about the next adult mission trip.

Connectional Missions
Through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) we are in mission with God's people here in Wisconsin, in the United States and around the globe.  We have sent boxes of supplies to Russia, North Korea, and Sierra Leone; collected monetary aid for Kosovo refugees,  Hope for the Children of Africa program and victims of tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods.  Through the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM) we provide on-going salary support to missionaries in Africa.