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Hi Parkway!
Next Wednesday, September 6th, MidWeek at Parkway is back! Check out the spotlight on MidWeek with important information below (and then scroll a little further for a few more updates!).
There are two main changes for this season of MidWeek: Dates and Dinner
When MidWeek was almost ready to break for the summer, many of our leaders and volunteers were worn-out. I'm glad everyone got a break over the summer, but I want to make sure we're not quick to wear them down again. For the fall, we are going to try two blocks of MidWeek with a short break between.
The first block of MidWeek will run from September 6th - September 27th (four weeks).
MidWeek will NOT meet on October 4th or October 11th. Take these weeks to rest and recharge -- or use them to connect with another Parkway family. Go grab dinner. Have a game night. Meet at a park (as long as it's not still 100 degrees in October...)
MidWeek will pick back up on October 18th and run through November 15th (five weeks).
We will be off on November 22nd for Thanksgiving and back for one more Wednesday on November 29th for a meal and an evening to lead us into Advent and Christmas.
Now that you have the dates, let's talk about dinner.
In the past we have asked our small groups to cook a meal for MidWeek, and while the food was delicious, we found filling the calendar for the whole semester to be a challenge. This led to some groups cooking multiple times on top of already busy schedules. In an effort to not ask too much or burn any group out, we've decided to do food differently.
Each time we begin a new block of MidWeek, Parkway will provide pizza for dinner starting at 6pm.
For the other weeks, Parkway will provide (also at 6pm) everything for anyone who needs to eat, to make a sandwich, make a salad, etc. so that no one goes through MidWeek hungry.
As the staff thought through how to handle changes to dinner, our main goal is in meeting needs of people who wouldn't be able to do MidWeek without food, but we are in no way taking away the opportunity to cook for and feed people. If your group enjoys cooking for MidWeek and wants to continue, please reach out to me (justin@parkwayumc.org) and I will be happy to get you on the schedule!
All groups/studies will start meeting at 6.30pm and finish at 7.30pm.
Check out the notes from Becky, Kat, and Justin below to get a sense of what is offered this time around for our children, students, and adult study.
Children:
During MidWeek, children will be doing a 4-week Bible Study on the many aspects of worship, which will include learning a few songs from Jachin to sing on Sunday, October 1st during the 10:30 service! If you have any question please feel free to email Becky at (rbetz@parkwayumc.org).
Students:
Student Ministries meets upstairs in the Student Worship Center for Midweek! Students are welcome to eat at 6pm and then head up for free time games until 6:30pm. From 6:30-7:30pm, students will play trivia, participate in a large group organized game, and hear a message on the week’s topic with small group questions to follow. The first week, September 6th, students will be studying what the purpose of Midweek is: Why do we meet? What does the Bible have to say about small groups? And how is this beneficial to our lives? Then from September 13th-November 1st, students will be following along with the “Life Worth Living” sermon series. Students will participate in the box questions designed for Grow Groups and dive deeper into each week’s focus. The last two weeks, November 8th & 15th, students will be studying a two-part series called “Grateful & Giving”. We hope that your student will join us this semester! For any questions, please email Kat at kbritton@parkwayumc.org.
Adults:
For the first block of MidWeek, Pastor Justin will lead a study on the basics of Methodism. The recent season of division, disaffiliation, and change in the United Methodist Church has led to new questions and conversations about what exactly a Methodist is. Where did Methodism come from? What did Methodists believe in the past and do we still believe it now? How do Methodists read Scripture? How is the United Methodist Church organized and what changes might happen in the years ahead? This will be a time to look at our history, our beliefs and theology, as well as ask any questions about our Church.
It's going to be another great go-around of MidWeek. And there is no need to register, just show up! I'm looking forward to seeing y'all there! If you have any questions please feel free to email me at justin@parkwayumc.org.
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