ADULT MINISTRIES
It is the base of our understanding of God and our understanding of our salvation. Studying God’s Holy Word comes in many opportunities at Bethia.
Below is a list of some of the bible study classes offered at Bethia:
Evening Studies ( Classrooms vary depending on when the class is offered)
- Disciple I: Thirty-four lesson Bible Study overview of the Old and New Testaments. Prerequisite for all other Disciple classes. Adults and youth meet for two hours weekly on a weekday evening.
- Disciple II: Thirty-two lesson Bible Study of Genesis, Exodus, Luke and Acts. Adults and youth meet for two hours weekly. Must have completed Disciple I.
- Disciple III: Thirty-two lesson Bible Study of Prophets and letters of Paul. Adults and youth meet for two hours weekly. Must have completed Disciple I.
- Disciple IV: Thirty-two lesson Bible Study of Old Testament wisdom literature and letters of John. Adults and youth meet for two hours weekly. Must have completed Disciple I.
- Monday Night Summer Study: A Bible Study for busy people. Designed to meet for one hour weekly with great flexibility to miss one or more classes. Each week class stands alone but adds to overall topic of all lessons.
- Christian Believer: A 30-lesson study of the basic beliefs of the church
- Becoming a Women of Prayer: A small group study
- Teens & Young Adults – What do you believe & why? (video followed by discussion)
- Learning from those that Encountered God: Study texts from Max Lucado, Richard Wilke,James W. Moore and Elsworth Kalas to learn how to live life for the glory of God
The Pathfinder’s Class
Are you in your 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s? This class is designed for young adults and the issues that affect their daily lives, families, and careers. Topics include marriage, parenting, and general Old and New Testament learning. Fellowship, prayer, and God’s word are the focus of the time together. They are always looking for new students to contribute to a great conversation during class!
Foundations Class
The Foundations Class is about fellowship and sharing both praises and concerns. Using the Uniform Series International Bible Lessons that feature both Old and New Testament lessons, we enjoy a lively discussion of the lesson and how it applies to our lives today.
The Claud Bible Class
An adult class that uses the Uniform Series International Bible Lessons curriculum.
Sisters in Spirit Class
This class meets in the Bethia House and we is a women’s group that is doing a Women of Faith Series. We will be starting a 12-week study on Sunday, April 15 titled Living In Jesus. Members will be taking turns leading the class. We also do “field trips” on occasion like Christian Movies and Christian Concerts.
United Methodist Men
The United Methodist Men of Bethia is a group of men dedicated to the spiritual growth and health of all men of the Bethia Church family. The group meets on the third Tuesday night of each month at 6:00 pm in the SEED Hall for dinner, fellowship and a brief program. Each meeting features a devotional time and a short business and planning meeting.
Every male in the church family is a “member” of the BUMM and encouraged to attend any and all BUMM functions. Proceeds from fundraisers are used to fund ministry opportunities at Bethia, in the community, and in the world.
Annual activities include Brunswick Stew Sales, Christmas Tree sale, work projects and Faith Night at the Diamond. Won’t you come join us??
United Methodist Women
(UMW) at Bethia exists as a local unit but is connected to the James River District, the Virginia conference, and the national policy-making body for UMW. Our local unit at Bethia is comprised of two circles. The Susanna Wesley circle, meets at 10:00 AM the second Tuesday of each month.
The Loretta Gruver circle meets the first Tuesday each month at 7:00 pm. We meet as a combined unit on the third Tuesday. All meetings are held in Room 10. Major annual projects include providing Valentine care packages for sick and shut-ins, Mother/Daughter banquet, Fall Craft sale, and bake sales throughout the year. Entire proceeds from fundraisers benefit mission projects. We welcome any woman who would like to join us.
Stephen Ministry
Emmaus
Richmond Emmaus also offers Chrysalis Flights which follow the same structure and are for youth and young adults ages 15-24.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Care and love if knitting and crocheting have been combined into a prayerful ministry that reaches out to those in need of comfort. The BPSM meets every 1st and 3rd Monday from 10:00 a.m. till Noon.
The prayer shawl ministry has evolved to include baby blankets and pocket prayer crosses. Over 1500 prayer shawls and baby Blankets have been sent around the world and over 100 pocket prayer crosses have been blessed for the military and others. The shawls after being blessed by the congregation are placed in a glass cabinet for selection.
Open Arms Ministries
Adult Music Ministry Opportunities
Wednesday Night Praise Team: This is an informal group of “hummers and strummers” that lead the Wednesday night worship music. Songs are a mixture of praise choruses and classics, and the group meets at 6:00 p.m. prior to worship to practice. This group is led by Jeannie Fee and Ellen Stephenson.
Saturday Night Praise Team: This group leads worship music at our Saturday night informal service. Songs are a combination of praise songs and familiar hymns. Led by Jeannie Fee.
Sunday 8:30 Praise Team: This group of musicians and singers lead worship music at our 8:30 service. Most of the music sung at this service is more contemporary, incorporating current hits on Christian radio, but also occasionally includes old standards. The group practices on Saturdays and is led by Rick Mullis.
Sanctuary Choir: This group of singers leads worship music at the 11:00 service on Sunday mornings and offers an anthem each week. Anthems are of varying styles, from contemporary to classic, southern gospel to Christian rock, and everything in between. This group also offers special music programs throughout the year, including Christmas and Palm Sunday. The rehearsals are on Thursday nights from 7:00 until 8:30 in the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary Choir is directed by Ellen Stephenson.
Belles of Bethia: This group of ringers meet weekly on Tuesday nights to prepare worship music that is presented at least once a month. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6:30 until 7:45. Musical styles are varied and diverse. Reading music is a plus, but not required. This group is directed by Ellen Stephenson.
See the Children and Youth Ministry pages for music ministry opportunities