/files/Subpage Banner Images/AD.png


Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver
Associate Pastor/Adult Discipleship
E-mail | Bio

SPRING 2012

The Academy of Discipleship provides opportunities for adult Christian education and spiritual formation through adult Sunday school, mid-week small groups, classes, bible studies. guest lecturers, our annual church-wide Lenten study, our annual Convocation, and more!
 

NEW! Spring Update 2012
 
NEW! Online Registration
 
 Course Bulletin 2011-12
  
/files/Academy of Discipleship/FacebookButton.jpg

 
 

Upcoming Events

 

Academy Spring Update 2012

The new Academy Spring Update 2012 is now available. Click here to learn about new classes and small groups beginning now. Learn more about Lenten Study 2012. Register for classes online.

May the New Year bring new blessings and a renewed commitment to the journey of discipleship. Click here to read Rev. Johnson-Oliver's reflections on the New Year in the recent Witness.

 

Adult Sunday School @ 9:45 a.m.

  • Bible Fellowship is studying the Old Testament Minor Prophets in Room 111.          
  • C3K New Members Class meets in Room 212C.
  • Disciple 1 Bible Study (Sunday School edition) meets in Room 210.
  • Exploring Faith in Life meets in Room 303.
  • In His Steps is studying A Life Worthy of the Gospel in Room 302.
  • Issues in Modern Christianity is studying the Dead Sea Scrolls in Room 307.
  • Kaleidoscope meets monthly in Room 300.
  • Williams Bible Class is studying Proverbs in Room 118.                                              
  • Women in Search of Truth is studying a Beth Moore study in Room 306.
  • Women of the Day is studying Heaven is For Real in the Parlor.

See below for complete course descriptions for each class.

 

 Mid-Week Classes

Sunday          - Parenting with Love and Logic begins on Sun., Feb, 12 at 4 p.m. in Room 210.      

                           Click here for flyer. Click here to register online.

 

Monday        - Monday Night Small Group meets 1st and 3rd Mondays at 7 p.m. in the Parlor.

Tuesday        - Tuesday Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. in Room 300.

Wednesday - Prayer and Praise Bible Study meets at 7:30 a.m. in Room 307.

Thursday       - Thursday Book Study resumes in February, 2012.                  

                        - Alpha/Christianity 101 meets at 7 p.m. in Room 209.

                        - Earth and Spirit meets on 1st Thurs. at 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor.

                        - Young Adult Small Group meets at 7:30 p.m. in Room 302

Saturday      - 1 Kings Men's Bible Study meets 1st/4th Sat. at 7:30 a.m. at the Jukebox Diner 

 

See below for complete course descriptions for each class.

 

Fifth Anniversary Speaker Series 

/files/Academy of Discipleship/Fifth Anniversary Logo.bmp

The Academy of Discipleship celebrates its fifth anniversary with a speaker series and other events to note this milestone. Join us as we welcome the following speakers:

 

Bishop Charlene Kammerer                                                                                                                            Virginia Conference, United Methodist Church                                                                                        February 26, 2012 at 11:00am

Dean Samuel Wells                                                                                                                                                Dean of Duke University Chapel                                                                                                                     Research Professor of Christian Ethics                                                                                                                    Duke Divinity School                                                                                                                                             March 4, 2012 at 3:00pm

Professor Lovett Weems                                                                                                                                    Distinguished Professor of Christian Leadership                                                                                            Wesley Theological Seminary                                                                                                                               May 20, 2012

Previous Speaker:

Dean Amy Oden                                                                                                                                                   Dean and Professor of History of Christianity                                                                                                           Wesley Theological Seminary                                                                                                                             September 18, 2011

 

Wednesday Night Together

WNT is our weekly congregational dinner followed by musical, ministry, or community presentations. Dinner begins at 5:45pm, and presentations begin at 6:30pm in Wright Hall. Please RSVP to Joyce Kitzmiller or to the church office at 703.256.8330 no later than noon on the preceding Monday. Contact Rev. Johnson-Oliver to schedule a presentation. 

  

For Teachers and Facilitators                                                                         

The Adult Leadership Committee includes all adult teachers, small group leaders, and others called to support the ministry of Adult Discipleship at AUMC. We welcome those who express a calling to lead or host small groups  or teach other classes. Leadership training is offered throughout the year.

 

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY AT AUMC                                                                                                                Sunday, January 29, 2011;  12:30-2:30p.m.; Room 210                                                                                      All adult teachers and leaders are encouraged to attend this presentation and training as we present a new vision for small group ministry at AUMC. We will overview a shepherding model for small group ministry that shifts from primarily informational to formational and transformational. We will also overview the new coaching structure. Please save the date and plan to attend this event. A light lunch will be provided.

 

Click here for the latest issue of the Academy Discipler, the official newsletter for AUMC teachers and facilitators.     January 2012    December 2011    October 2011    September 2011       

 

We offer our gratitude to Rev. Clarence Brown for leading the Adult Small Group Leader Training in February. Click here to view his presentation. The book Leading Life-Changing Small Groups provided the content for this training and is available for purchase in the church office. 

 

 
Class Descriptions


ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL - 9:45AM

Bible Fellowship                                                                      
Room 111/  Media Center
Burnett Thompson  
This class provides in-depth study of scripture to incorporate Biblical truths into contemporary life. This fall, the class will study the Old Testament Minor Prophets. These books provide a historical perspective of God’s expectations of humanity, our continuing refusal to live by those expectations, and encounters of Jesus as the way to fulfillment.   


C3K – Clarence, Coffee, Cabbages, and the King
Room 212C   
Rev. Clarence Brown                                                                                                                                                         Especially for new members and those considering joining the church, this class is a time of exploration and discernment of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ at Annandale UMC. Topics will range from Wesleyan Theology to United Methodism 101; from Stewardship to Spiritual Gifts. This class is repeated throughout the year. We welcome you to Annandale! ~ 4 weeks

 

Disciple 1                                                                                                                                                                         Rev. Eduardo Carrillo                                                                                                                                                   /files/Academy of Discipleship/Disciple.jpg       Room 210                                                                                                                                          This new Sunday school version of Disciple 1: Becoming Disciples through Bible Study offers the same in-depth bible study with a one-hour class format. The Disciple program is designed to develop strong local churches through in-depth study of Scripture. Disciple 1 assumes no prior knowledge of the bible and takes participants from Genesis through Revelation. Participants will read 70 percent of the bible during the class. ~ 34 weeks

 

Exploring Faith in Life
Room 303
Jim Cromwell /Harry Day                                                     
This is a dynamic group of individuals who learn from each other and grow spiritually by exploring faith issues of everyday life. This fall, we will participate in the church sermon series, Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living and The Apostles’ Creed for Today. Both studies challenge us to become familiar with Methodist beliefs and practices so that we may confidently proclaim what we believe.

    
In His Steps
Room 302
Bill Iwig                                                                                     
This class is studying the “A Life Worthy of the Gospel” course from the Wesley Ministry Network, which includes six video lessons by Dr. Sondra Wheeler of Wesley Seminary. This is a challenging and inspiring introduction to Christian ethics that avoids pat answers and focuses instead on the formation of Christian character, citing helpful examples both from Scripture and Church history. All are welcome to join us in learning how to lead lives worthy of the Gospel.   

 
Issues in Modern Christianity
Room 307    
Kevin Sabo                                                                              
This year’s class will focus on "Diggin’ the Bible." Through a series of recorded DVDs and study guides, the class will look at physical locations of the most popular Bible stories as a means to better understand how the people of the Bible actually lived. For the spring, the class will study the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Qumran community where they were found. Modern archeological digs and other research will be combined with videos to bring these stories alive.


Kaleidoscope Seminar, 
Room 300
Jack Underhill                                                                      
The class, in its 44th year at Annandale, offers an in-depth perspective on contemporary issues, such as poverty, hunger, terrorism, crime, world religions, and other issues that challenge Christians to change the world and achieve social justice. This class meets monthly and welcomes new members. 


Korean Bible Class
Hughes Hall
Paul Shin            
This class explores the intersection of scripture and Wesleyan doctrine. Topics in United Methodist history are also explored. Korean language.

 

The Miracles of Jesus                                                                                                                                                 Room 211F (church office)                                                                                                                                              Rev. Cynthia Johnson-Oliver                                                                                                                                         In The Miracles of Jesus, David Otto offers four keys to understanding miracles: miracles as historical perspective, miracles as aftermath, miracles and social memory, and miracles leading to talk about God. This class utilizes these keys to study the miracles of Jesus and the “miracle moments” in our own lives. (5 weeks) 

 
Williams Bible Class
Room 118
Ramona Thompson                                                           
The Williams Bible Class is the oldest class at Annandale. Recently, it has evolved into a women’s group with scripture study and informal discussion. Currently, the class is studying the Book of Proverbs. All are welcome to
 
Women in Search of Truth
Begins March 18; Room 306
Tracy Carney/Margaret Vaughn                                   
All women are invited to join us (and Beth) for a DVD-based interactive Bible study titled, Here and Now...There and Then: A Lecture Series on Revelation. Beth presents many points of view, allowing women to decide for themselves when the interpretation varies among scholars. She teaches that God is as specific about what He does reveal as He is about what He does not reveal. Each participant will purchase a listening guide with light homework. (11 weeks)  

 
Women of the Day 
Parlor
Louise Golobic/Judy Hampton/Julie Montgomery        
Heaven Is for Real, by Todd Burpo, is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. Join us as we read and reflect on his remarkable journey.    
  


 MID-WEEK CLASSES, BIBLE STUDIES, AND SMALL GROUPS

    Parenting with Love and Logic (Young Children)                                                                                      Sundays, 4:00 - 6 p.m.; Feb. 12-March 18; Room 210                                                                                      Maribeth Day                                                                                                                                                           Parenting with Love and Logic is an approach to raising kids that teaches parents how to provide loving support for their children while also holding them accountable for their actions with empathy and understanding. Parents will learn how to show their kids that whining and arguing do not pay, put an end to misbehavior in public, make potty training fun, teach respect, self-discipline, and much more! Maribeth Day is Director of AUMC Weekday Children’s Programs. Cost: $25/person; $35/couple.  


Monday Night Small Group                                         
1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:00PM , Parlor
Gary FitzGibbon/Todd Mitchell/Michelle Mock     
This group meets weekly for fellowship, bible study, and group discussion. They begin a new study of The Grace and Truth Paradox by Randy Alcorn. The book offers a two-point checklist balancing grace and truth. Grace without truth deceives people while truth without grace crushes people. Alcorn shows the reader how to show the world Jesus offering grace instead of the world's apathy, offering truth instead of the world's deception.  

 

Bible Study                                                              
Tuesdays; 10:00AM,  Room 300
Ramona Thompson                                                                
This women’s bible study has attracted participants from within Annandale as well as other area churches. This fall, they will conduct a study of First and Second Thessalonians.


Prayer & Praise Bible Study                                 
Wednesdays, 7:30AM, Room 307
Rudy Meekins                                                                                
This group meets weekly to pray together, study the bible, and hear from various guest speakers. Previous speakers have included clergy, missionaries, and Christian world leaders. Participants study the bible and share in Christian fellowship with one another.

Thursday Book Study                                                                                                                                                 Thursdays, 4:30PM, Parlor                                                                                                                                          Molly Wilmarth                                                                                                                                                                  This group offers participants the opportunity to grow in their understanding of Christ in a safe and supportive setting through shared study and discussion. This group will join the church-wide Lenten Study beginning in February. Join us as we grow together in Christian fellowship. ~ 10 weeks 

 

Chris/files/Academy of Discipleship/Alpha photo.jpgtianity 101/Alpha Course                                                                                                      Rev. Clarence Brown                                                                                                              Thursdays, 7:00pm                                                                                                                        Alpha is a world-renowned course, taken by over 13 million people, that covers the basics of Christianity. It answers questions like: Who is Jesus? Why did he die? How can I be sure of my faith? Alpha provides an open door for those new to the church as well as long-term members where questions of faith can be explored.  ~ 10 weeks

 

Earth and Spirit                                                                                                                                                               First Thursdays, 7:30 p.m.; Parlor                                                                                                                               John Dodge                                                                                                                                                                        The Earth & Spirit Group seeks to enable AUMC to help save God’s beautiful Creation, the Earth, that we and all other living creatures share and enjoy. We do this by learning and teaching how we as individuals can act at home, at church, at work and at play to become the good stewards of the Earth that God expects us to be. All are welcome to join us as we care for God’s creation.   

 
Young Adult Small Group                                      
Thursdays, 7:30PM, Room 302
Lance Witkowski                                                                          
This group is studying The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning. Imagine a stormy day at sea, your ship yielding to a relentless wind, pummeled by crashing waves, subject to the awesome force of nature. Such is God’s intense love for his children. Renowned author and ragamuffin Brennan Manning presents a love story for the broken-hearted and for those burdened by heavy religion.  . More information about young adults at AUMC is available on the Young Adult Ministries webpage.

 

Korean Bible Study                                                      
Saturdays, 8:00PM, Hughes Hall
Paul Shin                                                                                      
This class explores the intersection of scripture and Wesleyan doctrine. Topics in United Methodist history are also explored. Korean language.
 


1 Kings Men’s Bible Study                            
1st/4th Saturdays, 7:30AM, Jukebox Diner backroom
Bill Iwig/Jim Cromwell                                      
This men’s group meets for breakfast, fellowship, encouragement, and Bible Study twice a month at the Jukebox Diner.  The group is currently using study materials contained in the Master Builders Bible for Men for their Bible study.  The group regularly provides financial support for the youth program and other programs at Annandale UMC.  All men of the church are warmly invited to join.