Sunday School

• Agape: The word agape means love. It is a special love that values and esteems, is unselfish, and is ready to serve. This Sunday School class exemplifies this word by supporting several ministries at Decatur First UMC.
• Bible Study Group: This is an intergenerational adult Sunday School class that seeks to understand the meaning of God's word in their lives.
• Challengers: Challengers was formed in the early 1970s and many of its original members are now in their 60s. This is a small close-knit class comprised mostly of married couples.
• Debtors: Debtors was formed in the early 1970s and has since grown to 65 members. Members range in age from late 40s to early 60s.
• Fellowship: Fellowship was founded in 1947 and is based on "fellowship with God and each other." This group is comprised of mature adults ranging in age from 60 to 90, and includes those married, widowed, and divorced.
• Ichthus: Ichthus is an acronym for Jesus Christ Son of God our Savior. Founded in 1974, this class has grown to 80 members. Bible study is a primary focus of this class.
• Journey: Journey is a discussion-based group that focuses on the ways that current events impact faith and religion, and how they, in turn, impact current events.
• Kehillah: Kehillah is Hebrew for community. This group is comprised of members who are single, married, or divorced, and in their 20s and 30s. Bible study is a primary focus of this class.
• Kerr-Friendship/Paty: Founded in the 1960s, the Kerr-Friendship-Paty class is extremely fortunate to have a teacher rotation of six highly-skilled guest teachers who present the Adult Bible Studies in an interesting and compelling manner.
• Knox-Peabody: Class members are mature adults who are married, widowed and single. Four class members and various guest lecturers teach the class on a rotating basis.
• Koinonia: Koinonia is the Greek word for fellowship and this class epitomizes that word. They enjoy studying and worshiping together, as well as celebrating and supporting each other through life’s daily joys and sorrows.
• New Beginnings: The New Beginnings thought-provoking, discussion-based lessons are led by class members. They value the friendship and fellowship they receive from studying, worshipping and socializing together.
• Seekers: Seekers, as in ”Seek ye first the Kingdom of God” was founded in 1989. Lessons are taught by members and guest teachers. Topics range from lessons on the Bible to current events and family issues.
• Spirited Singles: Spirited Singles was founded in 1992 for mature singles. This group utilizes discussion, lecture, and video for learning. The class is taught by members and various guest speakers.
• Unity: The Unity Class is an active, loving, and growing Christian community of adults. On Sundays they walk a spiritual path together by openly sharing their challenges of being better Christians.

Agape Class

Debtors Class

Ichthus Class

Journey
Adults mid 20s to 40s
Location: Main Building, Music Library (302)
Contact: Tracy & Justin Frost or Julie & Jeff Davis
One of the newest groups at Decatur First UMC, Journey is a discussion-based group that focuses on the ways that current events impact faith and religion, and how they, in turn, impact current events.
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Kehillah Class with Bible Study Class

Kehillah
Adults 20s to 30s
Location: Main Building, Gym Classroom 6
Contact: Laura Perry or Cameron Jones
Kehillah is Hebrew for community. This group is comprised of members who are single, married, or divorced, and in their 20s and 30s. They learn, serve, worship and commune together. The Sunday morning Bible study is a discussion format led by class members.
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Kerr-Friendship/Paty

Kerr-Friendship/Paty
Senior Adult Class
Location: Main Building, Room 209
Contact: Steve & Paula Heard
The Kerr-Friendship class was founded in the 1960's as a class for couples. The class now has more than forty members, and membership is open to all regardless of marital status. The class was named after the Rev. B. C. Kerr, who was an early teacher of the class. In 2007, the Kerr-Friendship and Paty classes joined. The Paty class, founded in 1920, is one of the great traditions at DFUMC and was named after the Paty family who were missionaries from the Church. The class has a number of seniors, but also includes those in middle age. The class enjoys lectures given by a rotation of six highly-skilled guest teachers. The class schedules monthly luncheon/business meetings and an annual Christmas party. Favorite missions of the class are Decatur Emergency Ministries and the Methodist Children's Home.
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Knox-Peabody Class

Knox- Peabody
Senior Adults
Location: Main Building, Room 211
Contact: Jean Scofield
Knox-Peabody was founded in 1956 and named after the two original lead teachers. Class members are mature adults who are married, widowed and single. Weekly attendance is about 15 people. Four class members as well as various guest lecturers teach the class on a rotating basis. Knox-Peabody has several socials per year including a Christmas party and a mountain trip in the fall. The class contributes to the DFUMC pre-school and CMO programs, the Methodist Children's Home, the Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry, Hagar's House, and Aldersgate Homes.
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Koinonia

Koinonia
Adults 50s to 70s
Location: Main Building, Gathering Room (101)
Contact: Linda Nalley or Lester Lewis
Koinonia - Koinonia is the Greek word for fellowship and this class epitomizes that word. They enjoy studying and worshiping together, as well as celebrating and supporting each other through life’s daily joys and sorrows. This is a class of singles and married couples who come from all over the metro area. Attendance ranges from 15 to 35 each Sunday. Members are divided into four groups that plan the programs, refreshments, devotionals, and monthly social activities for the class. Koinonia supports Honduras Outreach, Appalachian Service Project, Mountain View Nursing Home, Hagar House Shelter for Women, and other missions as requested.
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New Beginnings

New Beginnings
Adults age 40-50
Location: Main Building, Gym Classroom 1
Contact: Dean Ratliff or Marc Morgan
Founded in 1985, New Beginnings is comprised of married and single adults, with children ranging from elementary to young adults. Class members lead the thought-provoking, discussion-based lessons. New Beginnings organizes a unique annual service project called the "Alternative Christmas Catalog," published each November, raising several thousand dollars for missions. They also support Honduras Outreach, Appalachia Service Project, Missionaries in Africa, and Habitat for Humanity. Our social gatherings include Chinese New Year and Cinco de Mayo dinners, summer swim parties, and Derby Day, Autumn Candlelight, Christmas and New Year's Eve parties.
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Seekers Class

Seekers
Adults 40 - 50
Location: Main Building Room 304
Contact: John Beal
Seekers, as in “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God” was founded in 1989 by eight couples. This group which now includes married and single adults has grown to 45 members. Member children range in age from the crib to high school. Lessons are given by class members and guest teachers. Topics range from lessons on the Bible to current events and family issues. Social gatherings include large events such as the Christmas party and annual pool party. Smaller bi-monthly gatherings for pizza dinner or playground time are also popular. The largest single mission of the Seekers is the Children’s Sunday school program, with over half the class teaching in some capacity.
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Spirited Singles Class
 

Spirited Singles
Mature Adults
Location: Main Building, Room 309
Contact: Patsy Belcher or Hopie Eubanks
Spirited Singles - Spirited Singles was founded in 1992 for mature singles. This group utilizes discussion, lecture, and video for learning. The class is taught by members and various guest speakers. The class gets together monthly for potluck dinners, day trips, book review club, and site seeing. Annual missions are scholarships to Honduras children, Angel Tree children, and Methodist Children's Home graduates. In addition, the class usually sits together at church worship and Wednesday night dinners and several members meet for lunch after church on Sundays.
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Unity Class

Unity
Adults mid 40s – 50s
Location: Main Building, Room 316
Contact: Greg Zimmerman
Unity - The Unity Class is an active, loving, and growing Christian community of adults. On Sundays they walk a spiritual path together by openly sharing their challenges of being better Christians, parents, spouses, and servant-leaders. Most Sundays are discussion-based lessons with occasional guest speakers who present new materials. This class studies the Bible, contemporary writings, spiritual disciplines, and social issues. Unity volunteers significant time to DFUMC Boards, Action Committees, Outreach Programs, and Sunday School. The Family Mountain Retreat, Chili Round Up, Pumpkin Carving Party and Christmas Party are fun annual events not to be missed.
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