Connect | Formation Groups

Rev. Justis Mitchell

Minister of Adult Spiritual Formation | (they/them)

Engaging Community

Duke Memorial formation groups offer an opportunity for curiosity, learning, conversation, and relationship with a goal of journeying together towards better faithfulness. Duke Memorial offers a range of formation groups for people at various stages of life and faith.
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​Contact one of the leaders below or Minister Justis for more information. 

Worshipful Wednesdays

Worshipful Wednesdays Return on September 16th
Dinner at 5:30PM | Programming at 6:15PM
Worshipful Wednesdays return this Fall beginning on September 16th. If you've been interested in Worshipful Wednesdays, now is a great time to jump in! We'll have dinner each week at 5:30PM in Whitford Hall and then break out into formation opportunities at 6:15PM.
Join in on our Adult Book Study focusing on Hell Bent by Brian Recker. Sign up here.
Children will explore Bible stories with Minister Katie!
Join us on Wednesday night for a meal. Come to the book study whether you've read or not. Experience connection with faith family.

Short-Term Formation Groups

New Members Class

Sunday Mornings at 9:30, starting September 13th
Are you new to the life of Duke Memorial? Do you believe that you’ve found your church home? You’re invited to "This is Us," a 4-week class for visitors and New Members. In these four weeks we will explore our place within the city of Durham on a tour, learn about our connection to the United Methodist Church, and talk about what it looks like to be a member of our faith community.

Theology Cafe

Theology Café
Sunday Mornings | 9:45-10:45 AM | Beginning October 4th
As we grow in faith, we are continually reviewing, revising, scrapping and reimagining what we believe in light of what we have since learned and experienced.  Come to Theology Café to ask questions, consider scripture through a different lens, hear what others believe, and fall in love with God again or for the first time.  Come be who you are, where you are on the journey, as we explore who God is, who we are, and what that means for how we live our lives.  Led by Rev. Renée Burnette, retired United Methodist pastor and fellow seeker.

Fall Book Study: Hell Bent

Led by Rev. Justis Mitchell
Starting Wednesday, September 16
Dinner at 5:30 PM, Study at 6:15 PM
Join Rev. Justis Mitchell on Wednesday Evenings this Fall for discussions on Brian Recker's book Hell Bent. In this taboo-shattering book, former evangelical pastor Brian Recker takes an honest look at scripture and reveals what has been true all along: God’s universal love is radically inclusive, in this life and the next. By removing punishment from Christianity’s center, Recker boldly reimagines the core questions of faith, such as why Jesus lived and died, and what it means to be “saved.” It’s time to rediscover spirituality as Jesus taught it: loving God, and loving our neighbors as ourselves. Whether you’re Christian, exvangelical, or anywhere along a deconstruction journey, Hell Bent is the perfect resource to help you replace fear and church hurt with healing and peace.

​Mid-Week Formation Groups

Dinner Church

Dinner Church is a gathering where all the most important things happen at the table. Think of a good dinner party with a spiritual twist –good conversation and prayerful moments. We gather around dinner tables (or a restaurant's table) and join others as we break bread and get to know one another better. Our mealtime lasts from 1 hour to 1.5 hours each week.
​Click the link below to sign up and be added to the waitlist for the next Dinner Church Group!

The Seekers Group

Wednesdays from 8:00am - 9:00am in the Commons
​​The Seekers Group has been meeting in its current format since 2015. Our studies over the past 11 years have included books of the Bible as well as books that expand the understanding of our Christianity, from authors like Rachel Held Evans, Barbara Brown Taylor, Marcus Borg, and Richard Rohr. Our topics cover a broad spectrum of studies in our Christian roots, the teaching of Jesus, and how we can continue to expand our understanding, acceptance, and growth in our personal faith.
Our 2026 Fall study will be on The Enneagram where a test will uncover distinct personality types, but unlike typical personality tests, the Enneagram reflects our habits, how we react to the world, and how we can continue to grow into a greater self-awareness and a stronger faith in God. This study begins on September 23, and we will use the book, The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile to help guide us. References from other sources may also be introduced and used for discussion. 
For more information contact: Gary Boyd

LGBTQ+ Formation Group

Meeting times vary
Sign Up using Church Center →
​We are excited to offer a new formation group! We hope to create a safer space that we may come together in fellowship, heal from our past and present experiences, and grow into our better selves. This group is open to all, including allies, to explore faith and life together. In our first meeting we will introduce ourselves as well as dream about what kind of community we hope to create. Future meet-ups will be in various places across Durham and Raleigh.

​Wednesday Morning Women’s Group

Wednesdays | 9:30-11:0​0 AM | In-Person | The Commons
The Wednesday Morning Women’s Small Group will meet this Fall on Wednesdays 9:30-11:00 am in the Commons, We invite you to join our merry group as we read, learn, share, and grow each week over coffee and snacks. We'll read Making Sense of the Bible by Adam Hamilton​, meeting each Wednesday morning 9:30 to 11:00 am in the Commons.
Contact Karalyn Colopy ([email protected]) with any questions.

Heart of the Bible
A Weekly Scripture Study
Tuesdays | 9:00 AM | Zoom
Sign up using Church Center →
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Heart of the Bible Study meets on Tuesday mornings at 9:00 am, via Zoom for one hour. Heart of the Bible is a more transformational than informational Bible study. There are lots of books, commentaries, and academics available if you want a scholar’s view of the text. We are inviting the Holy Spirit to open us to hear God’s word for us in this place, at this time, as we read and discuss the text together. The more people involved, the richer and broader the perspectives and interpretations we will hear. We share our thoughts and questions as we study the text without seeking to convince others of our answers. You are welcome whether you are new to the Bible or seminary trained or somewhere in the middle. Bring your curiosity, a Bible, and a willingness to be surprised by God.
Contact: Renee Burnette or ​919-451-3233

Living Into The Scriptures
Join by Phone 
1) Call: 301-715-8592
2) Enter Meeting ID: 985 3396 2565
3) Participant ID: Press # to bypass
4) Meeting Passcode:  046720
​5) Use *6 to mute and unmute
Thursdays | 10:30 AM | Zoom
We are a small Bible study who meet on Thursdays from 10:30 to noon on Zoom.  This year we are studying Max Lucado's books Life Lessons from Philippians:  Guide to Joy,  followed by Life Lessons from Romans: God's Big Picture.  Leaders are Ann Stallings Smith, Miriam Anne Glover-Wetherington, and Edith Toms.  Please call Ann at 919-384-2981 if you have questions or wish to join. We discuss the Bible, have lunches twice a year, and pray for each other.  

Contact:  Ann Stallings Smith 

Sunday Formation Groups

​Journeys

Sundays | 9:45 AM | In-Person | Bradshaw Room
Has your faith journey been a roller coaster the last few years? Many of us are starting new stages of life, and feeling uncertain about what the future looks like. Let's talk about it! This class joins the short term Sunday School classes when they occur and is currently meeting in the Bradshaw Room. 
Contact: Rev. Justis Mitchell

Open Door Class
Join by Phone 
1) Call: 301-715-8592
2) Enter Meeting ID: 985 2685 0304
3) Participant ID: Press # to bypass
4) Meeting Password: 532033
5) Use *6 to mute and unmute​
Sundays | 9:45 AM | In-Person & Zoom
We are a traditional Sunday School class meeting each Sunday from 9:45-10:45 to study Scripture and enjoy time together. We use the Adult Bible Study Series, video presentations about the holy land or biblical personalities, and enjoy the varied talents shared by our three teachers. We welcome those from 30 to 95+ (open to all).  The Open Door class meets in the Parlor which is located on the first floor in the education building.
Contact: Nancy Lockamy