upcoming classes and events

Faith & Facts | Sunday and Wednesdays, starting Nov. 5 - Nov. 29 | 12:30 - 2p (Sun.), 6:30 - 8p (Wed.)
In the November of 2023, Manchester UMC will offer a series of classes that will have curriculum centered around Church & Society’s Faith & Facts. Led by Trish Gunby, John Heskett and Moe Parisien.

Lunch & Learn: Gender Diversity | Tues, Nov. 7 | Noon - 12:45p
Bring your lunch and join us on Tuesday, November 7th at noon for our next Lunch & Learn. Abby Mueller, Education Coordinator and Peer Advisor at Metro Trans Umbrella Group, will lead A Conversation on Gender Diversity.

Moms Demand Action Phone Bank Training | Nov. 13| 6p
The Gun Violence Prevention Ministry is partnering with Moms Demand Action to activate people to show their support for greater background checks. Our job will be to simply call people from a list provided by MOMS. It is a simple and non-threatening way to promote better background checks. Information and training will be provided.

Road back to you | Thursdays, Sept. 14 - Oct. 19
An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery A interactive six-week series that introduces the Enneagram, explores each type, introduces mindfulness practices, and encourages self-reflection. Includes breakout discussion. Goal is to understand ourselves better and to have compassion for others who see the world differently than we do.
lgbtq+ Inclusion and the umc
As part of a “Live in Love” sermon series, Pastor Andy Bryan delivered a compelling sermon laying out interpretations of the “clobber verses.” These are verses in the Bible that have been used to harm or “clobber” members of the LGBTQ+ community. The interpretations are rooted in Biblical scholarship, linguistic analysis, historical context, and other ancient sources.
Pastor Andy asked, “Knowing there is an interpretation of these verses that does harm to your neighbor, and knowing now that there is another interpretation of these verses that doesn’t do harm to your neighbor, why do you believe what you believe?”
Why do we believe what we believe? It is a provocative and necessary question. After Pastor Andy’s sermon people wanted to know more and to better understand the different interpretations. Using a resource created by Nick Mundwiller, and Pastor Andy’s sermon, Ali Fields drafted a summary of the interpretations. Click here to read the summary.
The UMC and Homosexuality –
Homosexuality in the Bible
The Future of the UMC
Eating disorder and disordered eating resources
Information and resources related to eating disorders and disordered eating

The Missouri Eating Disorders Association
Educational information as well as local treatment resources

Radical Self-Love for Everybody and Every Body
Social justice centered eating disorder and disordered eating recovery resources

Road to Recovered
One woman’s experience of letting go of a long-term eating disorder by healing from the inside out

Committed to Size Diversity in Health and HAES
Association for size diversity and health
Books
- Reclaiming Body Trust: A Path to Healing & Liberation by Hilary Kinavey and Dana Sturtevant (releasing in August 2022)
- The Body is Not an Apology by Sonja Renee Taylor
- 8 Keys to Recovery From an Eating Disorder by Carolyn Costin and Gwen Schubert Grabb
- Hunger by Roxane Gay
- Intuitive Eating, 4th Edition: A Revolutionary Anti-Diet Approach by Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch
- How to Raise an Intuitive Eater: Raising the Next Generation with Food and Body Confidence by Sumner Brooks and Amee Severson
- Decolonizing Wellness by Dalia Kinsey
- Belly of the Beast: The Politics of Anti-Fatness as Anti-Blackness by Da’Shaun L. Harrison
If questions or to learn how to get involved, please email the Director of Social Justice, Ali Fields.