Adult Classes

Check out our new classes starting soon!

These are open to all in the community. Please register online or call reception for assistance at (352) 376-6615.

Classes

The Tears of Things

1/21-3/25 | Wed, 6:30-7:45 PM
“The Tears of Things--Prophetic Wisdom for an Age of Outrage” will be a facilitated discussion of the latest Father Richard Rohr book. This book covers bible prophets and how they matured and grew during critical times of change in their lives. The book is a great introduction to Father Richard Rohr, one of the greatest contemporary prophets/contemporary of our times. Led by Stan Beckerdite.
Stan Beckerdite is a retired Naval Officer, who came to Gainesville in 1996, was employed by UF and retired from UF in 2016. In 2017, he found the “amazing” community of Trinity UMC and joined the church. His interest is spiritual formation and he currently serves on the Contemplative Service team. Stan’s passion is for the exploration and understanding of Spiritual Formation as a heart versus mind journey. His hope is this class will enable others to better understand the unique nature of Franciscan spirituality in the Old Testament.

Gardening in Community

1/21-3/11 | Wed, 6:30-7:30 PM | Rm 221
Each garden is unique, and this class is designed to help you understand your garden’s characteristics and learn to work with them. We will also build community so we have others we can turn to for support and guidance. This class is appropriate for beginner and intermediate gardeners. Topics covered include site assessment, soil health, composting, plant selection, seed starting, garden planning, and pest management. Led by Julie Naim.
Julie Naim has been gardening in Alachua County for over 15 years, has been trained as an Alachua County Master Gardener, and has taught gardening classes through the Master Gardener program as well as in partnership with Working Food, a local non-profit. She has a large annual vegetable and herb garden as well as fruit trees and perennial vegetables throughout her landscape. She has focused on implementing sustainable gardening techniques throughout her garden and landscape with the goal of working with creation to create a more easily maintained and harmonious space.

Getting Your Ducks in a Row

1/21-3/11 | Wed, 4-5 PM | Rm 204
This will be a discussion format with information presented by the group facilitator and augmented by the group participants. The goal of this series is to help those in/or approaching their senior years to develop a greater understanding of the many ways planning ahead can make a difference for them and for those they care about. Topics will include: Advance Care Planning (Healthcare decision maker, living will); strategies for cleaning out; leaving a legacy; creating a file of essential documents your friends or family will need or treasure when you die; options for care as your needs increase; making healthcare decisions; understanding Hospice and Palliative Care; Spiritual Considerations; staying fit to stay independent; facts and choices about final arrangements; and legal considerations - what and how. Led by Cindy Capen.
Cindy Capen has been a member of Trinity UMC for over 20 years. She is a mother and grandmother and is now a retired nurse of almost 50 years. It was her experience as a hospice nurse that led her to this class, having seen the many ways planning ahead in our senior years can matter to peace of mind as our bodies become less able. Her goal is to help fill knowledge gaps and motivate action for those who choose this class.

Everyday Epiphanies

1/21-4/11 | Wed, 6:30-8:30 PM | Rm 222
Epiphany isn’t just a day; it’s the entire time between the Three Kings visit and Lent. Why? James Harnish, a well-known author and pastor, suggests that Epiphany is not a one-time event, but rather an ongoing experience. Epiphanies—the breakthroughs of Christ into our lives—are happening all around us, often in the most unexpected moments. Harnish invites us to cultivate the ability to recognize these divine revelations by developing eyes to see beyond the surface of our everyday lives. In this study of Rev. Harnish’s “Everyday Epiphanies – Meeting Christ in the Ordinary Moments of Life” we will learn and share our experiences of finding the unexpected blessing, the sudden knowing, and the amazing grace that God is working in our world and in us. Led by Mark Mercer
Mark Mercer has been a member of Trinity for six years and a confirmed member of the UMC since 1968, with some wander years. Eye opening bits of “God's surprises” have often steered him home, and into deeper exploration of faith. That’s a big reason why he is excited to be reading and sharing this journey with you under Rev. Harnish's lead. You may already know James Harnish from taking “A Disciple's Path” course here or at another UMC, using his book of the same name. If not, you're in for a treat of his clear, friendly, real life based writing.

Tips for a Safe & Healthy Home

1/28 | Wed, 6:30-8:30 PM | Rm 232
This workshop, led by staff from Rebuilding Together, will explore how and why home maintenance and energy efficiency are a key solution in the context of the national and local affordable housing crisis. We’ll explore why and how home maintenance activities contribute to the overall housing landscape in the USA and connect participants with the local efforts to improve housing conditions in our community. Participants will be engaged in home maintenance and energy efficiency demonstrations and collaborate to share skills, tips, and tricks to make their own. Participants will leave the workshop with opportunities to plug into efforts via Trinity UMC, and beyond! Led by staff from Rebuilding Together.
Rebuilding Together is a leading national nonprofit in safe and healthy housing with more than 40 years of experience. Rebuilding Together North Central Florida's (RTNCF's) goal is to preserve affordable home ownership and help homeowners in need remain safe and healthy in their homes, through provision of critical home repairs and modifications at no cost to those who qualify. Class facilitators are RTNCF Executive Director and trained Program Staff, RD Bonnaghan and Celine Hickey.

The Sermon on the Mount

2/25-4/1 | Wed, 6:30-7:45 PM | Rm 209/210
The Sermon on the Mount contains some of Jesus’ most beautiful, challenging, and well-known teachings. Join us for a compelling study that explores these questions through the expert guidance of scholar Amy-Jill Levine and her book, “Sermon on the Mount – A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven.” In this class, we will journey back to the first century to understand Jesus’ teachings in their original Jewish context. By removing layers of modern interpretation, we’ll uncover the radical and life-altering vision Jesus presented. Together, we’ll discuss the Beatitudes, the Lord’s Prayer, and Jesus’ instructions on everything from anger and lust to prayer and worry. We will wrestle with the Sermon’s demanding ethics and discover how they form a practical guide to living as a citizen of God’s kingdom. Led by Brian Myers.
Brian Myers is a passionate student and teacher of Scripture. A long-time member of Trinity UMC, he has served in numerous leadership and teaching roles within the church and currently serves as the Co-Lay Leader for the North West District of the Florida Conference of the UMC. He and his wife, Margaret, have two grown boys. Brian is excited to lead this study of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. With a passion for understanding Jesus in his original Jewish context, Brian will help unpack some of the most challenging and transformative teachings in all of Scripture. He looks forward to exploring the Beatitudes, the Lord's Prayer, and Jesus' radical vision for what it means to live as a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven today.

Contemplative Watercolor for Beginners: Meditative Abstract Landscapes and Seascapes

3/23 | Mon, 9:30-11:30 am OR 6:30-8:30 pm | Rm 228/229
Come experience the relaxation and fun of watching watercolor paint move in water and interact with different colors. I'll show you how to create some relaxing abstract landscapes and seascapes that are just about enjoying the magic of watercolor. No previous art experience necessary. We will start with a beginner’s overview of how watercolor paint, brushes, and paper can work together to create unlimited exciting possibilities. I’ll do a demonstration followed by low-pressure guided practice. Lastly, we’ll turn on the relaxing music, and unwind into a quiet time of reflection and just playing around with watercolor, letting creativity flow, and seeing what unfolds. Ages 16 and up welcome. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. $5 fee covers all your materials and is due when you come to class, either cash or Venmo. Class size limited to 14 people. Led by Melody Lozano.
Melody Lozano is an award winning watercolorist whose luminous, rhythmic paintings have been exhibited in group shows, a solo show, and local, statewide, and international juried watercolor exhibitions. She credits her most important art education to her grandmother who first introduced her to the basics of watercolor but more importantly taught her to view the world with an artist’s eye. Melody enjoys living in the Gainesville, Florida area because there is no shortage of inspiration and beauty in the natural landscape. Melody’s artist statement is: “There are ordinary moments on ordinary days when suddenly a veil is lifted, and for a fleeting moment we catch a glimpse of abundant beauty, insight, or depth beyond words. My work is about awakening our attention to these moments in order to drop deeper into these spaces of expanded reality and divine resonance. My intention is to invite others to unlock the beauty and mystery hidden in their own everyday lives, and to be inspired to participate in their own wordless conversations with love and joy.”

Let My People Go: An Encounter with God in Exodus 1-12

4/8-4/29 | Wed, 6:30-7:45 pm | Rm 209/210
Join us for a four-week exploration of the opening chapters of Exodus, one of the most foundational and dramatic narratives in the Bible. In this study, we will journey with the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the brink of freedom, witnessing the rise of a reluctant leader, the clash between a determined God and a defiant Pharaoh, and the birth of a people forged in the crucible of oppression and liberation. We will delve into the literary, historical, and theological dimensions of this powerful story, asking what it means to be called, what divine power looks like, and how memory and ritual shape a community’s identity. This study is for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Exodus narrative and its enduring significance. Participants are encouraged to bring a bible. Led by Brian Myers.
Brian Myers is a passionate student and teacher of Scripture. A long-time member of Trinity UMC, he has served in numerous leadership and teaching roles within the church and currently serves as the Co-Lay Leader for the North West District of the Florida Conference of the UMC. He and his wife, Margaret, have two grown boys. Brian is thrilled to guide this exploration of Exodus 1-12. With a deep love for the Old Testament, he brings the epic story of Israel's bondage and liberation to life, uncovering timeless truths about God's power, faithfulness, and redemptive heart. He looks forward to journeying with you through the plagues, the Passover, and the powerful beginnings of the exodus, discovering how this ancient story continues to shape our faith today.

Additional Opportunities